Whatever your jewelry situation is, the jewelry world can get confusing. How do you know where to find more information on something like this? This article will be very helpful to you, because it is filled with tips about jewelry that will encourage you to become a highly educated consumer.
Try not to bathe or swim in your fine jewelry. Many times the type of water (hard versus soft) can splash and wear the metal jewelry or stain the stone. There are also chemicals like chlorine found in many swimming pools that can turn stones and badly stain metal jewelry.
Make sure you don’t wear your fine jewelry all of the time. When you are performing housekeeping tasks or washing your hands with soapy water, remove your jewelry. Swimming in a pool is another great reason for you to remove your fine jewelry to keep it safe. Everyday harsh chemicals can severely damage fine jewelry, sometimes ruining it beyond repair.
Don’t buy any jewelry that could easily be broken, or the recipient could end up disappointed. Many pendants come in tiny little chains that are so frail that they break right away, and if your loved one loses their new diamond pendant, they’ll be heartbroken. If the chain is inadequate that comes with a pendant, buy a larger chain or just buy a different pendant!
If you are truly in love with a piece of costume jewelry, even if it is in less than good condition, it is okay to spend the money on it. A piece that you will treasure is more of an investment than the monetary cost of an item, so splurging can be allowed.
Use an egg to antique your sterling silver jewelry. Just boil the egg, chop it up, and put it in a bag with your silver piece. In a few hours your jewelry will change colors and then you can polish it to a beautiful antiqued look. This is an effective method because egg contains sulfur, and sulfur causes the reaction when mixed with sterling silver.
Keep your plastic wristwatch clean and shiny. Just because you didn’t spend a lot on your jewelry doesn’t mean you shouldn’t take good care of it. A simple and cheap way to keep your watch looking great is to put toothpaste on a dry cloth and rub. Your plastic watch will look brand new.
When giving a piece of jewelry to a significant other, a great tip to follow if you are not confident in your observation abilities is to ask friends or family members of your significant other their opinions as to what type of jewelry you should purchase. If you do this, you will have shown your significant other that you made a genuine effort to make the moment special.
When it comes to showing off your personality through jewelry, most of the time you can make a larger statement with less. Choose bold, dramatic pieces, but limit yourself to wearing one or two at a time. A sophisticated pair of chandelier earrings can set off an outfit on it’s own, and sometimes a flashy cocktail ring is the only glitz you need to draw attention.
If you choose to make and sell jewelry at craft bazaars or flea markets, take time to ensure that each piece has a clearly marked price tag that cannot be tampered with, yet can be removed without damaging the merchandise. Although nobody likes to think that theft can happen to them, it is best to protect your investment of time and money.
Any time that you are working on cleaning your house or any other place, you should first remove any pieces of jewelry that you are wearing. Not only is there a strong possibility of loss, but the cleaning chemicals can be very strong on your fine jewelry. Avoid these problems by first removing any jewelry.
Buying used jewelry is an option to consider, as well. Used jewelry can be found in consignment and pawn stores, art galleries, estate sales, jewelers, or in some cases, yard sales. Before you consider used jewelry, research the type of piece you think you are looking for, so that when you see it at one of these places, you will be able to determine if the item is indeed legitimate or just a reproduction.
When you have opted to purchase a piece of jewelry for another person, always remember to consider the occasion in which you are purchasing for. This way, there is little room for interpretation of what the jewelry item signifies and both you and your loved one will be happy with the overall purchase.
Avoid spraying your perfume or hairspray after putting your pearls on. Instead, spray first and then put your jewelry on. Pearls are extremely porous and absorb chemicals found in things like hairspray and perfume very easily. Minimize the contact between your pearls and such chemicals to keep them beautiful.
Whenever using any product which contains bleach, you should never wear your rings or fine jewelry! The chemicals in bleach can cause silver, gold, and other metal alloys to chemically breakdown. Your jewelry will become irreparably damaged. Since there are chlorine (bleach) products in swimming pools and hot tubs, the same rules apply in regards to jewelry removal.
In order to keep your jewelry at its best, remove your jewelry before doing house cleaning, going swimming, performing personal care such as using lotion and bathing, or before exposing yourself to extreme heat or cold. The metal in your jewelry can tarnish or even crack if it is exposed to harsh chemicals such as chlorine, or if it is rapidly heated and cooled.
Jewelry is a very large topic, and there are a lot of things to know about it. That said, if you read carefully and know what you are buying, you can pick only the best pieces and care for them properly. The jewelry world is rewarding and exciting, so join in the hunt! The following article has been compiled to help you navigate this world with ease.
