A good piece of jewelry can mean a great deal to you. It can be a beautiful accessory, a beloved memento or even a durable investment. Sometimes it takes a little learning to get the most out of your jewelry, though. These tips can point you in the right direction for buying, selecting and maintaining really excellent jewelry.
Make sure you know what to look for when buying platinum jewelry. Platinum needs to be at least 95% pure in order for it to be considered real platinum. If it’s lower it is platinum alloy. Also, be aware that platinum can develop a patina, which many people feel gives jewelry a nice antique look. This jewelry also does not wear away and is hypoallergenic.
The best thing you can do to care for your jewelry is to make sure it is properly insured, especially if it is highly valuable. This will protect your jewelry from theft, damage, and being lost. There are many ways you can insure your jewelry, and it is definitely worth looking into since no one wants to be left standing after suffering an unfortunate event.
When buying jewelry as a gift, buy something that can be worn every day. Diamond stud earrings are an excellent choice as they go with anything. Watches are also a very utilitarian option, just make sure it’s classy but casual enough that she could wear it to work. Neutral colors are also an excellent choice.
When buying vintage jewelry, become familiar with the different time periods associated with each piece. A Victorian era piece may interest you more than one of a different era, so knowing the differences will help you be able to quickly spot the pieces you are most interested in purchasing, rather than spending lots of time browsing.
If you own hemp jewelry, never wear it in the shower or while swimming. Exposure to water will greatly reduce the lifespan of your hemp pieces. Always remove your jewelry prior to water related activities, and avoid wearing it on very humid days as well. This will keep your special pieces looking great for a long time.
Take careful consideration when thinking of how you want to care for the jewelry you purchase. There’s an ideal way to clean every different type of setting and stone. The best way to care for a particular piece of jewelry could be harmful to a different piece. Whenever you buy a new piece of jewelry, ask the jeweler the best way to clean and maintain it.
Do not underestimate the power of pearl jewelry. Pearls are often considered a throwback to the days of old. How untrue this is. Modern pearls come in so many varieties, you can cheaply acquire them and spice up any fashion style you are trying to pull off. They come in many colors and shapes.
The jewelry looks great on you, but the allergic reaction it causes, does not. If this is a problem that you have faced, you may want to try using clear nail polish. This gives a protective barrier from the metals that could irritate your skin. You just put a coat of polish, on the area of the jewelry that is most likely to come in direct contact with your skin.
Buying used jewelry is an option to consider, as well. Used jewelry can be found in consignment and pawn stores, art galleries, estate sales, jewelers, or in some cases, yard sales. Before you consider used jewelry, research the type of piece you think you are looking for, so that when you see it at one of these places, you will be able to determine if the item is indeed legitimate or just a reproduction.
Do not be afraid to buy silver jewelry. Gold items are incredibly expensive right now, and silver is “in”. Search for products that are labeled as sterling silver because they have a large amount of the metal in them. Not only will you save money, but you will have the opportunity to buy a nice piece of jewelry that you might have missed otherwise.
If you are purchasing a gem, do not be tempted to get imitation jewelry. This is little more than plastic, and there are many affordable options that you can choose instead. Consider buying a synthetic piece of jewelry; although these are produced in a lab, they are real gems, and they are as beautiful as anything found in nature.
There’s nothing worse than losing a piece of jewelry due to a delicate clasp. Some gold jewelry will have a weak clasp in order to keep the integrity of the piece (soft gold), but you can sacrifice a little bit of gold on your necklace or bracelet and have a jeweler put a sturdier clasp on to ensure safety.
When buying jewelry for someone that you care about make sure that you are not stepping over your own boundaries of what you can afford. While most likely you do want to impress the other person, no jewelry purchase will adequately make up for putting yourself at a severe financial risk.
When it comes to men’s jewelry fashion tips, it is important to consider that it you should limit the amount of jewelry you wear on your body at a given time. Too much and you will come across looking gaudy and possibly more feminine than you would hope.
If you don’t have jewelry cleaner handy, you can shine your gemstones and diamonds with toothpaste and a toothbrush! It does an excellent job of making precious stones sparkle safely and economically. Just coat the jewelry item with toothpaste and scrub gently with an old toothbrush. Rinse thoroughly under warm running water and polish with a soft, dry cloth.
Hopefully, the information in this article has expanded your jewelry knowledge a bit. Almost every piece of jewelry is a potential treasure, but you will treasure your jewelry that much more if you have the savvy to treat it wisely. You can save money, make intelligent selections and enjoy longer-lasting jewelry if you take the time to educate yourself on the subject.
