Most people love to wear and own fancy jewelry, but not everyone knows how to properly maintain that jewelry. If you don’t want to have to replace your jewelry, it’s important that you learn how to care for it. This article compiles some advice to give you a starting point on maintaining your jewelry.
Sterling silver jewelry makes a great investment. Pieces of jewelry made from sterling silver last for a lifetime and provide endless elegance. Sterling does tarnish, but can be quickly shined up using a polishing cloth. However, pieces of sterling silver jewelry that have specialty coating can last ages without tarnishing.
Don’t spend a lot of money purchasing cheap costume jewelry. Costume jewelry does sell in more designs and cost significantly less than fine jewelry. Yet, over the course of a few months or years, costume jewelry loses its color which causes the cheap metal to show through underneath. Invest in one or two pieces of fine jewelry that are sure to last a lifetime.
When you go jewelry shopping, make sure that it is with people you know and trust that can help you find what it is that you need. There should ideally be at least two people to help you with your shopping experience. The first should be an experienced and trustworthy jeweler. The other should be a loved one or good friend.
When cleaning your fine jewelry, always follow the recommended cleaning directions for the gemstones used in the piece instead of the metals. Many jewelry cleaners designed to remove tarnish from metals can also dull or even destroy many soft precious gemstones. Use a cleaner safe for all gemstones and avoid harsh chemicals.
When trying to shop for diamonds, make sure to take your time. Diamonds, unlike things like computers and cars, will not go bad on you. They should last a lifetime. Also, for the price ranges that these stones run, you should not buy them on impulse. Take your time and create the special piece for you or someone you care about.
When buying jewelry, don’t worry too much about current trends. Look for classic pieces that can be worn over several years. Something that’s too current will be quickly out of date. A stylish piece that you enjoy but isn’t the latest thing can be a part of your wardrobe for years to come.
When buying or selling jewelry, consider looking into specialized pawn shops. These shops are going to have individuals who know what they are talking about. They will be able to appraise the approximate value of the jewelry much more accurately than a typical pawn shop, allowing you to have peace of mind with your sale or purchase.
Before you make a final jewelry-buying decision, take a look at what’s new and trendy. One of the few things that can enhance the appeal of a lovely piece of jewelry is knowing that it came at a great discount!
Repurpose your jewelry to get the most wears out of each piece. Wrap a necklace around your wrist to fashion a new bracelet. Slip a pair of clip-on earrings onto a pair of pumps as shoe clips, and add a bit of sparkle to plain heels. Attach a pin or brooch to a necklace and update its look.
If you are interested in acquiring new jewelry pieces, try to find great sales. You could save a lot of money if you take the time to look for better prices. Look for great deals in old-fashioned newspapers, on the Internet, and even at retail stores. Buying styles that are waning in popularity is often an excellent way to save money on original jewelry.
When buying jewelry it is a good idea to personalize it. You can choose to have an engraving on the interior of the piece or on the backside of it. It should be a message that will mean something to the person who is receiving the jewelry so that they can look at the engraving and think of fond memories from the past.
You should keep your pearl jewelry in room temperature environments. These sorts of environments can help keep your pearl jewelry from drying out and becoming brittle. At room temperature, your pearls will be able to hold on to moisture in the most efficient manner. Keep your pearls healthy when you follow this tip.
When buying jewelry online, read the descriptions carefully. Look up words if you do not know what they mean. It is easy to take a flattering picture, but a description should give you a good idea of what you are buying. You should pay attention to size, colors and materials.
Gold prices have skyrocketed, which is good if you’re selling gold, but not quite so helpful if your heart’s set on purchasing gold. If you insist upon a gold ring or necklace, you can still save some money by compromising on karats. A piece of jewelry that is 75% gold is said to have 18 karats, which is high quality but still affordable; a good combination.
If you want your jewelry to go with any outfit you’re wearing, be sure that you’re purchasing neutral-colored jewelry. Believe it or not, gold doesn’t go with everything, and the sparkle of diamonds may actually clash against some ensembles. Go neutral and keep it tame if you want wardrobe-friendly jewelry.
When you are trying to buy jewelry for your girlfriend, get her best friend’s opinion first. It is pretty likely that your girlfriend and her best friend share fashion tips and go shopping together. Her best friend will probably know what styles of jewelry will appeal to your girlfriend, so run your selection past her first. But, make sure if you’re trying to make your gift a surprise, that you swear the girlfriend to secrecy!
Congratulations on finishing the article! Now you have a starting point on how to keep your jewelry looking great for years to come. Hopefully you’ve learned something new along the way. If you’re still not sure how to maintain your jewelry properly, there are tons more pieces of advice out there for you to find.
