Have you ever dressed yourself, then studied your own reflection and realized that something was missing? Your clothes are stylish, your aren’t wearing odd socks, and you are sporting freshly polished shoes, but still something is missing. The one thing that is missing is your jewelry. Whether you add an eloborate necklace or simple pair of earrings, jewelry will always make your outfit feel complete.
Make sure to regularly polish your metal jewelry. Over time it begins to collect dirt, oil and dust and that affects its sheen and overall appearance. This makes the jewelry look worn and old. Go ahead and refresh those pieces using some simple polish to make them look like brand new again.
The metals in jewelry can tarnish if exposed to humid air, so you will want to store them in a way that protects them. To keep your jewelry properly protected, store it in a drawstring bag or jewelry box. Metals will become tarnished when exposed to air and humidity. Silver polishes work well to remove tarnish, but certain metals, such as bronze, may not polish well. The polish may remove the surface coating and then the metal underneath, such as copper, becomes visible.
Only purchase jewelry from well known retailers. If you are looking to purchase gold, silver or platinum make sure that the retailer has a professional set up and that their products come with a guarantee. Do not purchase from unknown vendors who claim that the jewelry they are selling at a discount price is made from real precious metals or gemstones, they are often imported fakes.
Do not purchase any jewelry from retailers in China. This country is notorious for selling fake gemstone and metal jewelry. Oftentimes, the jewelry advertised as sterling silver with real turquoise is just a piece of metal sprayed in silver and the turquoise is a fake piece of plastic. Such vendors may accept returns, but the hassle of shipping it back at your own cost, is usually not worth it. Be aware of scams like this.
There are two types of categories that jewelry falls under. Fine jewelry is jewelry made from silver, gold or platinum and is combined with any precious or semi- precious gemstones. Jewelry classified as costume is any form of jewelry made from low cost metals that contain only a silver or gold surface finish as well as synthetic or plastic “gemstones”. Both categories have their pros and cons, and it really depends on personal taste and budget that helps determine which to buy.
Try adding some industrial metals to your collection. There is more to metal jewelry than just gold and silver. Industrial metals include stainless steel, titanium, tungsten carbide and tungsten. Industrial metals provide a much nicer shine and are more durable and less susceptible to damage. Titanium is known for being more lightweight, stainless steel and can be polished until it practically glows. Tungsten carbide can resist scratches for a long time, as well as being a dark metal.
Do not use ultrasonic cleaners and jewelry cleaning liquids on your precious and semi- precious gemstones. Most gemstones are easily damaged and their properties become corroded by the chemical properties in jewelry cleaning liquids. Ultrasonic cleaners can shake the gemstone settings apart and deteriorate the glue used to secure the gemstone in the setting.
When learning a new jewelry-making technique, use cheaper materials. For instance, if you are learning wire techniques, pick up some aluminum or copper wire from a local craft store, instead of using your sterling silver wire. This will help you get the valuable practice you need to master the technique, while sparing your pocketbook. If you mess up on your top-quality materials, they may become unusable.
Find your style in advance. Search an online jewelry store before you make your trip to the jeweler so that you know what you are looking for. Being able to tell the jeweler exactly what style you are looking for will make your trip quicker, as well as making it easier on both you and the salesperson.
To get additional usage out of your rope necklaces, try wearing them as bracelets. A rope necklace can easily be looped around your wrist to create a stylish layered bracelet. This is a great way to get extra utility out of a piece, and is especially effective if you want to change your look over the course of a day.
Make sure you give yourself adequate time when ordering a new jewelry piece. Most pieces have a turn around time of six to eight weeks. This can become a problem quickly if you need the jewelry for an important occasion. Make sure you give yourself extra time on top of the proposed time-frame.
If you can’t afford to pay consignment fees for your handmade jewelry, consider partnering with other small and local business owners or jewelers to hold a trunk sale, mini-bazaar, or retail showcase night to generate interest in the community. Small jewelers and crafters can benefit by bonding with one another instead of viewing each other as competitors. If you are very worried about this, only approach jewelers with dissimilar styles and fashions.
To help you clean and maintain your jewelry in top condition, remember to polish your gold and silver with a jewelry polishing cloth. Alternatives, such as a regular cloth or paper towel, have the potential to damage your gold or silver because they are not gentle enough for these delicate precious metals.
To complete your address, you will want to find the best piece of jewelery. There are many styles of jewelry you can choose from to help you look professional, fun, or even classy. When you are finished getting dressed to leave the house, put on a piece of jewelry to complete your look.
