Jewelry is complicated no matter how you come into a piece. You might have inherited it or bought it on an impulse, but either way you probably need to look up some information on jewelry. Where can you get more knowledge on this traditional art form? This article outlines many useful hints you can use to be more educated about jewelry.
You never want to use bleach, ammonia, or any other cleaning solvents that are not designed specifically for cleaning jewelry. These chemicals can wreak havoc on your jewelry, from discoloring bands, to dulling stones, to eroding enamel or glue.
Store your jewelry collection carefully. Jewelry should be stored in an organized way in a box, a jewelry holder or hung on hooks. Jewelry should not be lumped together in a pile. Not only can it damage finer, fragile pieces, but it can also make a tangled mess out of chains.
Precious Metals
Jewelry is best stored in an area with low humidity. Ideally, you should keep them in drawstring bags or in a jewelry box. Air and humidity can cause the metals that the jewelry are made of to tarnish. It is possible to polish precious metals, but polishing non-precious metals will damage the coating, which makes the copper that metal was covering show.
Do some price comparisons before you commit to buying a piece of diamond jewelry. View the piece you are currently considering closely and then compare it against some other pieces that are in the running. However, be mindful that there are fraudulent ways to make the diamond look better than it is.
Before committing yourself to a piece, do research to determine which styles are hot and which are not. The one thing that makes a great purchase an outstanding one is getting a bargain on it.
Keep your jewelry from getting tarnished in order to keep it looking it’s best. Try not to wear jewelry when you are around water. Many of the metals become tarnished, rusty or dull when they get exposed to the elements of water. Clear nail polish, applied in a thin coat, can give jewelry some added protection.
If you like to collect costume jewelry pieces, become very choosy about each piece’s condition. This type of jewelry can be extremely expensive and makes an incredible investment. However, this type of piece can have a lot of wear and tear, which wouldn’t be worth your money or time. A piece that is free of any defects or wear not only looks better, but is also a better investment.
Wearing the jewelry yourself can help you decide if it will be appropriate for your intended recipient. You can also make a better estimate of the jewelry’s durability after trying it out.
Jewelry is particularly amazing when it comes to the breadth of information 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. Welcome to the exciting, and always changing, world of jewelry. The advice above should be a valuable stepping stone for beginning your quest.