Jewelry is one of the most ancient forms of personal decoration, yet it continues to change and evolve in the present day. Selecting and caring for good jewelry is more than just a matter of taste; it requires a little knowledge of the specialized concerns that apply to the field. Here are some tips for getting the most out of jewelry:
Store your jewelry in felt. It is always annoying when a piece of your favorite jewelry starts to tarnish. To keep it from tarnishing, just make sure you store it properly. Use a felt bag or even a jewelry box lined with felt. It will help to keep the jewelry from tarnishing.
Jewelry is one of the best gifts to give to someone you care about. When purchasing jewelry as a gift, you should consider the person’s interests and lifestyle. For example, if they enjoy sports and the outdoors they may prefer more basic pieces. Think about what they enjoy doing, this should provide a good starting point when you are ready to purchase the jewelry.
When buying jewelry, you may want to consider lab-created stones. Gems created in a lab can be just as beautiful as natural gemstones, but they are often less expensive. You may be able to buy a much larger lab-made stone for the same price as a smaller natural stone. If you have ethical concerns, lab-made is definitely the way to go.
To assure your jewelry accentuates your best features, choose pieces that work with your face shape. For a heart shaped face, try chokers and dangly earrings. Round and square face types look great in teardrop earrings, and long necklaces are also an excellent pick. Those with rectangular faces should choose short necklaces and round earrings. If you have an oval shaped face, you can pull off any type of necklace, but angular earrings are best.
Clean your jewelry with warm water and mild soap, rinse it out, and then dry thoroughly. It also helps to polish the piece of jewelry with a soft cloth. Excess water remaining on jewelry in storage can tarnish precious metals, sometimes beyond repair. A soft cloth can also help to restore luster and shine to your jewelry while removing excess water from the piece.
Keep your plastic wristwatch clean and shiny. Just because you didn’t spend a lot on your jewelry doesn’t mean you shouldn’t take good care of it. A simple and cheap way to keep your watch looking great is to put toothpaste on a dry cloth and rub. Your plastic watch will look brand new.
Keep your gems sparkling in your jewelry like they are always new. You can keep your beautiful stones looking their best by soaking them in the very same solution used to soak dentures. Denture cleansers are cost effective and widely available. Use for one night, and your jewels will look like new again.
Change your jewelry styles depending on the season of the year. Add spice to your wardrobe. In spring, for example, you will want to be wearing sterling silver and different designs with their origins in mother nature. Look for flower and insect designs that reflect the freshness of the season.
Always make sure you buy jewelry after you are educated in the subject. For example, do not go to buy a diamond without first educating yourself on the specifics of diamonds. A dealer may try to sell you something that is not worth his asking price based off of your ignorance. If you are well informed you cannot be hoodwinked.
Budget your jewelry purchases well in advance and stick to the price range you settle on. The jewelry store can be every bit as tempting as the candy shop, but you must resist the urge to splurge. Jewelry carries lots of memories and associations with it; you do not want to spoil a piece by spending so much that you regret the sight of it later.
Do you have sterling silver jewelry? As you probably know, silver is a metal which oxidizes when in prolonged contact with air. To keep your silver nice and shiny, get into the habit of softly rubbing it weekly with a polishing cloth. If there is grime on your silver jewelry, simply use a soft, moist cloth to remove it. Dry the piece thoroughly and then use a polishing cloth to restore the shine.
Keep in mind that 10 karat gold is the strongest of all types of gold, but it is also the one that contains the least amount of gold. On the other hand, 24 karat gold is the one that contains the largest amount of gold and it is the weakest.
If you want to buy cheap jewelry, buy homemade jewelry instead of going to a store. A lot of people use their blogs to sell their own creations. You can also look at online auction and shopping websites to find artisans selling cheap jewelry. Make sure you buy something from someone you can trust.
Save your cash and forgo the designer pieces, these add an estimated 80% more to the price tag. Local jewelers or chains offer products that are exactly comparable to luxury retailers and are more likely to give you financing offers or seasonal promotions.
Storing jewelry can be the absolute death of its luster, even if you’re storing it in the box it came in. Avoid storing jewelry in only those manufacturer’s boxes and even store-bought jewelry boxes. If you’re storing your items long-term, wrap them up in an airtight container to ensure maximum protection. One of those zippered plastic storage bags, works wonders.
Guys, if you want to save money while buying jewelry, make sure you never bring your wife or girlfriend with you while shopping. It’s not that she’ll ask for something expensive; it’s that you’ll be eager to impress her rather than taking your chances with surprising her. Go for the surprise every time.
A piece of jewelry that is well-selected, well-maintained and well-purchased can last longer than a lifetime, and carry many pleasant memories along with it. Helpful advice on the subject, like that above, can help the prospective owner (or purchaser) get more out of the time and money they spend on jewelry.
