Jewelry is a topic many are passionate about, whether it is for personal use or for a loved one. Given that there is a diverse array of jewelry on the market, and each involves special tips for care and wearing, it is helpful to have a bit of information. Keep reading for more insight and information on the joys of jewelry.
When shopping for diamonds, make sure that you shop for them based on their four main criteria: color, cut, clarity, and carat. The color refers to the hue of the stone. The cut refers to the way that the stone is fashioned, such as princess and square cuts. Clarity refers to the flawlessness of the stone. The carat refers to the weight of the stone.
When storing your fine jewelry in a chest or case, wrap each piece in a small piece of velvet cloth. That way harder gemstones will not scratch softer gemstones and metals. It also helps pieces not get tangled with themselves and the velvet helps to keep the pieces safe from excess moisture.
Attending yard-sales is a great way to build up a collection of jewelry. Many people sell old costume jewelry for practically pennies. This is a perfect opportunity to stock up on broken pieces that can be repaired or made into new jewelry later. Many new beautiful pieces of jewelry can be born of old broken pieces. Use yard-sales to build up your collection.
When buying jewelry, you may want to consider lab-created stones. Gems created in a lab can be just as beautiful as natural gemstones, but they are often less expensive. You may be able to buy a much larger lab-made stone for the same price as a smaller natural stone. If you have ethical concerns, lab-made is definitely the way to go.
If you find yourself putting off wearing a bracelet because you wear a watch, buy a bracelet that matches your watch in style and color, and wear it on your other wrist. Bracelets are fun and are one of the only pieces of jewelry that you can see on yourself when you’re wearing them. Wear one on your wrist without a watch, or simply get rid of your watch altogether.
Clean your jewelry with warm water and mild soap, rinse it out, and then dry thoroughly. It also helps to polish the piece of jewelry with a soft cloth. Excess water remaining on jewelry in storage can tarnish precious metals, sometimes beyond repair. A soft cloth can also help to restore luster and shine to your jewelry while removing excess water from the piece.
If you purchase any diamond over one carat, you need to get proof. Any diamond included in jewelry that is over one carat should come with a diamond grading report. This should be done by an independent gem grader and the report should include any information that could potentially affect its value.
Keep your gems sparkling in your jewelry like they are always new. You can keep your beautiful stones looking their best by soaking them in the very same solution used to soak dentures. Denture cleansers are cost effective and widely available. Use for one night, and your jewels will look like new again.
Clean your jewelry for next to nothing. One of the simplest and cheapest ways to keep your diamonds sparking and your silvers shining is to use antacid tablet. Drop them in water with your jewels on top and let it do its work for a few minutes. Take out, and enjoy the splendor of cleanliness.
To help jewelry maintain its maximum possible value you should aim to keep it in a pristine condition. Not only will it look better on you but it will also fetch a higher asking price should you ever decide to sell it. Semi annual trips to jewelry store for regular cleanings will help accomplish this.
Looking at jewelry you would like to buy, decide how unique you want it to be. If you are having trouble finding a piece that speaks to you, try hand crafted. Hand crafted jewelry is available in any form of style and options. People who usually struggle to find something they like, will love the uniqueness of handmade jewels.
To keep silver jewelry tarnish-free between wearings, wrap the item in a jeweler’s polishing cloth and then seal the piece, cloth and all, in a plastic bag. Polishing cloths come in many sizes and are very economical. The cloth provides padded protection to even the most delicate chains and the plastic bag keeps air, which causes tarnish, from touching the jewelry. When ready to wear, give the piece a rub with the cloth for shine and you’re set to go!
If you have pearl jewelry, you can add to their preservation by putting on perfumes and lotions first ,then after they’re absorbed into your skin, put your pearls on. Since pearls are porous, these products can be absorbed into the pearl, which can cause it to lose its natural luster.
A busted clasp or tarnished chain does not necessarily spell the end of your favorite piece of jewelry. Look for ways to adapt pendants, beads, or accents into a new form. A sparkling, distinctive brooch can be threaded onto a delicate gold or silver chain, then worn as a necklace or bracelet.
Jewelry that is made with milky, iridescent, and elegant opals, requires a light touch when it comes to cleaning. Do not expose the stones to hot water, steam, or ultrasonic cleaners, as extreme heat can easily damage the surface of the stone. Instead, rings, necklaces, and bracelets that feature opals, should be cleaned with a soft cloth after a brief soak in cool water.
Everyone can get confused about jewelry from time to time. With any luck, the information from this article will be very useful as you set out to explore different types and styles of jewelry.
