Before becoming engrossed in the world of jewelry, ask yourself what it actually means to you personally. Do you have knowledge of the different types of jewelry, and can you recognize the quality of different pieces? This article will give you a better understanding of jewelry. This article will provide some great tricks for all of your jewelry needs.
Jewelry should be stored in an air-tight and humid free area. Ideally, you should keep them in drawstring bags or in a jewelry box. Humidity and air tends to cause precious and non-precious metals to tarnish. Precious metals, through some work and polish, can be restored to their original condition. Non-precious metals are coated, which means that polishing will allow copper metal to come through.
If you are shopping for sterling silver jewelry, you’ll need a magnet and an eye for the real thing. You can detect fake sterling silver with the magnet, since non-precious metals are drawn to magnets. Another way to tell if a metal is sterling silver is to check for a hallmark stamp, for example .sterling, .ster, or .925. If there is no hallmark, the piece is probably not authentic and may, indeed, be counterfeit.
A piece of jewelry should be long lasting. Always purchase pieces from reputable jewelers in order to make sure you are getting quality pieces. Any high-quality jewelry will show superior craftsmanship, and will be well-made. The jeweler ought to know the history of the piece, such as its manufacturer and the source of the gemstones. Put effort into your choice, so you can be sure that the piece will last generations.
Take note of whether they wear hoop earrings or studs, yellow gold or white gold, an ankle bracelet, etc. 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. For more expensive pieces, look for a jeweler that offers insurance for lost or stolen items.
Give the jewelry a test-run by wearing it for a day. Does it feel comfortable and hang properly? It will also allow you to see if the item is durable enough.
Make sure that you regularly untangle delicate, knotted necklaces. Sometimes you give up on untangling a mess but you can get yourself some plastic wrap before you do give up. Place the chain in on the plastic wrap and add a few drops of baby oil onto the knots. After the necklace has loosened, try to untangle it by hand. If this does not work, consider using a sturdy pin or needle. Be sure to use extra caution due to the slippery oil. Wash them using dish soap, and then pat dry them.
Make sure you follow these tips the next time you want to buy jewelry for yourelf or for someone else. You may be able to save a little money. Learn what jewelry to look for, and what the signs of quality are. Having a good taste in jewelry is all about education and exposure to this art.