No matter if you received, bought or inherited a piece of jewelry, the jewelry world can be downright puzzling. How do you know where to find more information on something like this? This article has some helpful tips to help you become a better educated consumer.
Keep your jewelry looking like new by wiping it with a polishing cloth. This is an easy way to get shine without chemicals and solvents. Just polish each piece with the special cloth in the same way you would polish a piece of glass. The first side is designed to polish, while the other is for adding shine.
Harsh Chemicals
Avoid harsh chemicals like bleach, ammonia and acetone that may permanently damage your jewelry. Harsh chemicals will dull your stones and dissolve the enamel on your jewelry.
Take a moment to consider how your valuable jewelry is stored and sorted. It’s better to keep pieces separate by using boxes, holders, hooks and other containers. Don’t throw piles into a box. Not only will your necklaces become hopelessly tangled, you risk harming any fragile pieces as they bump and scrape against each other as you search the box.
Sterling Silver
When purchasing sterling silver, take along a good magnifying glass, along with a small magnet. You are able to detect fake pieces of sterling jewelry with a magnet, as non-precious metals are attracted by the magnet. In addition, sterling silver pieces are always stamped with silver hallmarks indicating such factors as the degree of purity, the manufacturer’s symbol, and the date of manufacture. Some of the most common hallmarks are “925, “ster,” “sterling,” and “sterling silver.” Be wary of jewelery without any kind of hallmark, as often it is fake.
When you are shopping for diamonds, there are ways to compare the stones. Take a very close look at the piece you like, and then make the comparison to any others on your favorites list. There are many ways to make a diamond look better than it really is.
Before purchasing a new pieces, look at the latest jewelry trends. It is better to get a gorgeous bauble on sale!
Costume Jewelry
If you own costume jewelry, it is important to properly care for it. Even though it is not as expensive as its precious counterpart, costume jewelry represents a significant investment, one that can be lost if the pieces are allowed to get worn and broken. Investing in quality means that you can enjoy the jewelry for many years to come.
There are a lot of different aspects to jewelry and jewelry appraisal. Do your homework, and identifying the best investment pieces of jewelry will be easy. Welcome to the colorful, powerful and rewarding world of jewelry and adornments! These tips should be a useful first step on your journey.
