The field of jewelry is a confusing world no matter how you acquired your pieces of jewelry. How do you know where to find more information on something like this? In this article, we will explore some important jewelry basics that will help you to become an educated consumer.
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.
Watch how you store your jewelry when it isn’t being worn. A better idea is to keep the pieces separate by using boxes, hooks, compartments or holders. Resist the temptation to jumble all your pieces into a community box. This can harm delicate parts, and tangle some pieces with others, like necklaces.
Never store your jewelry in open air or humidity. Some good examples of proper storage would be,a jewelry box that is closed, or a small draw string bag. Both air and humidity can lead to tarnished metal. 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.
Before you buy a gemstone, ask what type of gemstone it is. The three types are imitation, synthetic and natural. “Real” can mean natural or synthetic, and an imitation stone could be glass or plastic. A natural stone is mined from the earth, and a synthetic is a lab-created gem.
Do they often wear hoop earrings, or stud earrings? Do they show a preference for white or yellow gold? These answers should give you a reasonable starting point for your shopping.
Ask about a jeweler’s insurance policy before buying anything. If your jewelry becomes damaged, you can return it to the source and have it repaired. Some jewelers have insurance policies that cover lost of stolen jewelry, also.
For jewelry to stay shiny and new-looking, it is important to keep it from tarnishing. Exposure to water can affect the finish, so avoid it. A lot of metals will rust, tarnish or dull when they come in contact with 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.
The brooch adds a unique touch and a bit of your style to your outfit. Place the brooch close to your hip or in the middle of your waist.
Even knotted necklaces with delicate loops can be untangled. Don’t give up on that tangled mass of jewelry. Instead, get a piece of plastic wrap. After you place the necklace on top of the wrap, cover it in baby oil. Needles can be used to untangle it. Wash with dish soap and pat dry.
Know what you want to do with jewelry prior to purchasing it. You should not have a lot of jewelery that you are never going to put on. Think of the outfits that you own, and use those to help you choose your jewelry.
It is critical that the photos and descriptions you use to sell jewelry online are attractive and high-quality. A nice photo and description is essential since your online customer will not be able to see the piece in person. Avoid taking photographs of jewelery with backgrounds that distract from the piece.
This pertains to saunas that are steam or dry. Excessive moisture and heat can be damaging to jewelry.
Never swim with your jewelry on. Swimming pools contain chlorine, which can age many types of jewelry prematurely. Over time, saltwater can be as bad. Taking jewelry off before getting in the water will protect it and extend the life of the jewelry.
Sometimes, you may find difficulty displaying your jewelry properly at a craft sale or flea market. When you are making a jewelery piece keep in mind how you will be displaying it. All kinds of racks, baskets, cigar-boxes and even oddball things like wig stands can be transformed into jewelry display cases with just a little creativity!
Alexandrite is a beautiful stone that is often overlooked for jewelry. The stone’s color morphs from green to purple, changing based on whether you are inside a building or standing outside. You will most often see this stone used in earrings, rings, and ornate pendants.
Many have begun to start wearing yellow gold and silver jewelry together. In order to do this, you need to have a piece of jewelry that combines both metals. Otherwise, it will look weird and is not trendy at all.
By now you understand there are many amazing details regarding jewelry. 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. As you begin your journey, these tips can act as guideposts.
