There are so many different types of jewelry that have been developed over time. The information below can get you started on choosing a jewelry item you are bound to cherish.
Use a polishing cloth for all of your jewelry pieces. It will allow you to make your jewelry look as good as new without the use of chemicals. Simply use the two-sided polishing cloth to polish your jewelry the same way you would polish a glass. Use a two-sided cleaning cloth, one for polishing and one for shining.
Avoid harsh chemicals like bleach, ammonia and acetone that may permanently damage your jewelry. This will result in damage to both the stones and the metal of the piece.
When shopping for sterling silver jewelry, it is a good idea to bring a small magnet along with you. Use the magnet to detect fake jewelry; real silver will not be attracted to the magnet, but the cheaper metals will. You can identify sterling silver by its markings, for example “sterling,” “ster,” or “.925.” If there is no marking on the piece, it may not be sterling silver.
Your jewelry should be durable and long-lasting. When buying jewelry, only buy from dealers with good reputations, so that you don’t buy a piece that seems durable, but really isn’t. Any piece that is high quality will have its craftsmanship and quality shining through. The jeweler must be able to provide a history of the piece. This will tell you who made the piece, and where the components came from. This way, you can ensure you are paying a fair price. You need to buy quality jewelry so that you can pass it down as an heirloom.
Before adding a piece of jewelry to your collection, research current trends. The only thing better than picking up a gorgeous bauble is getting it on sale!
Take the steps to inhibit its tarnishing. Exposure to water can affect the finish, so avoid it. Water can cause some metals to lose their luster or to become tarnished or rusty. A single coat of transparent nail polish may help protect certain types of metal.
When collecting costume jewelry, pay close attention to the condition of any piece you are considering. Costume jewelery pieces can be expensive but they are not worth the investment if they look too old. An item in good condition holds its value better in the long run.
Do some research on the best way to clean your particular piece of jewelry. Metals, gemstones and settings all have different storage and cleaning requirements. Something that may help one piece of jewelry might hurt another one. Whenever you buy a new piece of jewelry, ask the jeweler the best way to clean and maintain it.
The tips above will guide you in your quest for the jewelry that works with your tastes and budget. Reading about the various types of jewelry can make choosing the right item a lot easier.