Jewelry is always an ideal choice when trying to decide what gift to buy for a woman. Here are some ideas for getting the right piece for the woman in your life.
Store your jewelry collection carefully. Use a box that has several different compartments and hooks to keep your pieces apart. Don’t just put them in one huge, unorganized pile. This can damage the finer and more fragile pieces, and items like necklaces can entangle with each other and other pieces into a big mess.
Sterling Silver
If you want to buy sterling silver pieces, use a magnet and examine the jewelry very carefully. You can detect fake sterling silver with the magnet, since non-precious metals are drawn to magnets. Also, look to make sure that silver is hallmarked and stamped with .925, sterling or ster. If you don’t see a stamp of any sort on a piece, then be wary of whether it is actually silver or not.
When you purchase jewelery ensure you know what you are buying. Gems are divided into three main categories: imitation, synthetic and natural. “Real” can mean natural or synthetic, and an imitation stone could be glass or plastic. Natural stones are found in the earth and are mined out, while synthetic ones are grown in laboratories.
Always compare prices before purchasing any diamonds. Look at the pieces up close before purchasing them, and be sure to compare them to others. You must be a sharp consumer to avoid tricks that might make a diamond look better than it really is.
Inquire about insurance for your jewelry when you purchase it from a jeweler. Insurance policies allow you to bring a defective or broken piece into the jewelry store for repair. There are even some jewelers that will cover the replacement if the piece has been lost or stolen.
Keep your jewelry from tarnishing as best as you can. Never wear your jewelry when you are going to be near water. Water can dull and rust some types of metal if it is exposed to it too often. To give jewelry an added layer of protection apply a thin layer of clear nail lacquer.
Wear the jewelry piece for a day so that you can get an idea of how comfortable it is and if it hangs right. You will be able to tell if it will hold up to wear and tear.
Consider stones when you are buying jewelry. The right stone will enhance your skin tone and make a statement about your personality. If you choose a neutral color it will match anything you wear. If it isn’t a functional piece, you will not use it and it is pointless to purchase it.
Costume Jewelry
You need to pay special attention when caring for costume jewelry. Many of their settings are glued instead of set. Take care not to use chemicals or lots of water in an attempt to clean your costume jewelry. To care for it best, wipe your jewelry with a damp, warm cloth and dry it with a different cloth. This keeps dirt from building up and making your jewelry look dull.
Before you buy, ask the jeweler if and how the gemstone was treated. There are several different types of treatment, and each one needs it’s own type of care. Cleaning a treated gem using the wrong chemical might damage it.
Choosing the perfect gift for a woman can be hard, but you can’t go wrong with jewelry. The ideas here should help you get the right piece regardless of your relationship.
