The meaning behind individual pieces of jewelry can be as beautiful as the actual appearance of the jewelry. Milestones and major life events are often celebrated with jewelry, creating an unforgettable memory for both the giver and the recipient. By knowing more about jewelry, and the buying and selling process in particular, you will find the purchase of each piece a rewarding and memorable experience.
Precious Metals
Jewelry is best stored in an area with low humidity. A drawstring bag or closed box offers the best protection from moisture in the air. Continued exposure to humidity extremes or air causes metals typically used in jewelry to tarnish. Precious metals can often be polished to remove most tarnish. Non-precious metals often have a single coat of metal. Therefore, polishing them can remove the coat and show the copper that is found underneath.
Know the type of gem you’re buying, when you buy it. Gemstones come in three different varieties: natural, imitation and synthetic. Imitation is plastic that is colored to looked like the stone, but natural stones and synthetic stones are real. Natural stones are mined, and synthetic stones are created in a laboratory.
If you wish to keep a piece of jewelry looking fantastic, preventing it from tarnishing is important. When you are close to water, do not wear your jewelry. Many of the metals become tarnished, rusty or dull when they get exposed to the elements of water. A very light coating of clear nail varnish can be applied to some jewelry, and this will add an additional line of protection against the elements.
Wear the jewelry piece for a day so that you can get an idea of how comfortable it is and if it hangs right. By wearing it yourself, you can also gauge the ruggedness of the piece.
Costume Jewelry
Costume jewelry does require some special care. A lot of the stones in costume jewelery are glued in and not set in. Don’t let them go under water or clean them with strong chemicals, or you could dissolve the glue. It’s most beneficial to use a damp warm cloth to gently wipe, then use another cloth to dry. Done regularly, this process will keep your costume jewelry looking great.
For a gift that is as unique as its recipient, look for handcrafted or customized pieces. Pieces that match their personality will highlight your thoughtfulness and creativity, especially since you care for them enough to purchase jewelry for them.
You get more than an investment when you acquire jewelry; you get a special memory. Each piece of jewelry is filled with emotion. It may be the celebration of a child’s birth or the promise of a lifetime of happiness ahead, but each item will invoke a memory each time it is viewed.
