You need have a basic knowledge of jewelry before you engage in the purchase or sale of precious pieces. This can make you wonder where to begin.
Sided Cloth
Try using a polishing cloth on all of the jewelry in a collection. With this method, you can simply shine it up and not deal with the hassle of using cleaners. You can use the two-sided cloth to polish your jewelry in the same way you would polish a drinking glass. Use a two-sided cloth to clean your jewelry, one for polishing, and the other for shining.
You never want to use bleach, ammonia, or any other cleaning solvents that are not designed specifically for cleaning jewelry. You can turn your stones this way and it will eat away the enamel on the pieces.
Separate your jewelry for storage to avoid getting pieces tangled. For best results, separate different pieces into different boxes, compartments or hooks. Throwing the jewelry together into the jewelry box is a no-no. Heavy pieces should not be placed in the same compartment with fragile pieces.
Keep your jewelry in a relatively air-tight container, and minimize its exposure to humidity. Keep them stored safely in a closed, dark area, like a jewelry box or drawstring bag. When non-precious and precious metals are expose to air and humidity, they tend to tarnish. It’s possible to restore precious metals through polishing, but lesser-quality metals may suffer permanent damage.
Natural Stones
Know the type of gem you’re buying, when you buy it. A stone may be natural, synthetic or imitation. Natural stones and synthetic gems are both real, but imitation gems are probably just colored glass or plastic. Natural stones are dug up out of the ground and synthetic ones are grown in a lab.
A piece of jewelry should be long lasting. Don’t buy jewelry from less than reputable stockists if you expect your pieces to be of the highest quality. You can tell when jewelry is of high quality, due to the excellent craftsmanship. A credible jeweler should offer a complete history of the piece, including information about the creator and the source of the gemstones. When you choose a piece of jewelry that is high in quality, it can become a heirloom that will last forever.
Costume Jewelry
If you are interested in collecting costume jewelry, be sure to stay conscious of the condition. Costume jewelry make good investments and they can be costly, but an item that shows major signs of usage will be a poor investment of your time and money. Compare pieces for quality, because good ones stay high or even grow in value over time.
Costume jewelry requires specific care. Many of the stones and embellishments are just glued in instead of set in a professional setting. Don’t immerse costume jewelry in water, and never wash costume jewelery pieces with harsh chemicals. Wiping your jewelry off with with a slightly dampened cloth and then wiping it dry is usually sufficient to keep it clean. This will make your costume jewelry sparkle for weeks, months, or even years.
If you put on your jewelry only after you have put on your makeup, you will have to clean it less. The grime and dust in makeup are attracted to the jewelry, and if you put on the jewelry before the cosmetics, it can cause the pieces to look dull. This is particularly important in the case of necklaces and earrings.
Before you buy, ask if the gemstone has been treated, and the method for doing so. Different treatments require different types of care. For example, you would not want to use a jewelry cleaner that is incompatible with a certain type of treatment. Doing so could result in irreversible damages to the color and surface of the stone.
You need true expertise to make smart jewelry buying and selling decisions. You will be successful if you use the tips and tricks mentioned in this article.
