Jewelry comes in so many different styles. It is one of the few things people can really use to make a statement about their personal style. Choosing and buying jewelry as a gift for someone can be a little nerve racking. Read the tips on buying jewelry in this article to make the experience easier and more fun.
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.
Avoid using harmful substances like bleach, ammonia, acetone, turpentine and the like to clean them. Using them may result in damage to your jewelry, may cause dulling of gemstones, and may erode enamel work.
Consider buying a small barrel tumbler. If you wear a lot of jewelry or just want to keep the pieces you own in good condition, you probably clean it on a fairly regular basis. You might want to get a small barrel tumbler for polishing. They are inexpensive and do a thorough job.
When storing your fine jewelry in a chest or case, wrap each piece in a small piece of velvet cloth. That way harder gemstones will not scratch softer gemstones and metals. It also helps pieces not get tangled with themselves and the velvet helps to keep the pieces safe from excess moisture.
Do they often wear hoop earrings, or stud earrings? Do they show a preference for white or yellow gold? This is a great place to start when picking out that special item.
Sites like Etsy have a wide selection of handmade jewelry. You can find many unique, one of a kind pieces, but be careful. Some sellers may use pendants or other findings that can be widely purchased in bulk or from craft stores. Read reviews or search for similar items to make sure you’re getting the best value.
It is becoming more and more popular to purchase expensive jewelry online. Before you do, however, be sure to check out the business you’ll be purchasing with at the Better Business Bureau. When you’re making a big ticket purchase, such as an expensive piece of jewelry, you need to know that the company you’re purchasing from is reputable. You want to make sure that they will send you a quality product and back it up with customer service too.
When it comes to choosing the perfect wedding or engagement ring, it is important to be able to pay for it with cash. Sure, nothing says love like a great ring, but you do not want to put yourself in debt or end up paying overwhelming amounts of interest for it. It is the thought that counts for most.
While it’s easy to point the finger at the metals in your jewelry causing your skin irritation, it could be as simple as the jewelry needing a good cleaning. Since bacteria and dirt can build up on your jewelry causing irritation, a warm water and gentle soap cleaning is recommended to rid the irritants and hopefully the bad reaction as well.
If your crystals have dirt in hard to reach places, you should soak your jewelry in warm water with mild detergent. Then you should use a toothbrush to carefully scrub your jewelry off. This process will safely get rid of dirt on the outside of your jewelry, without damaging your precious crystals.
If you have gold jewelry, you should try to avoid storing them in areas around diamonds and other hard gemstones. These hard stones can scratch or damage your gold. If you keep your gold away from hard jewelry, you can keep your gold looking better for longer.
When you purchase jewelry to give as a gift, make sure you select pieces that are appropriate to the relationship you have to the recipient. The cost, style and material of gift jewelry all say a lot about the way the giver feels about the receiver. Be sure that your gift does not imply a relationship that does not exist.
As you begin to shop for diamond jewelry, you will notice that most pieces are presented against a black velvet background. Viewing a diamonds in front of a black surface can actually alter your perception of the clarity and cut of the diamond. Instead, ask to view the piece against a lighter-colored surface and under magnification. This gives you a more accurate visualization.
If a piece of jewelry starts to darken or turn black, the problem may not be a matter of quality of the piece. This effect can actually be traced to a high acid content in the wearer’s skin. Often, but not always, a high acid content may also indicate a higher probability of an allergic reaction to metal alloys.
Clean silver jewelry with products from your kitchen. Silver jewelry tarnishes with time but it is easily cleaned with vinegar. Combine half a cup of white vinegar with two tablespoons of baking soda in a small bowl. Stir the mixture until it forms bubbles. Put your silver jewelry into the solution leaving it for two to three hours depending on how tarnished it is. Remove the jewelry and wash it under cool running water. It will look as good as new!
Buying jewelry as a gift can be difficult for some people. Jewelry is such a personal gift so it is important to select it carefully. It is an easy way for people to personalize their style. Use the tips in this article to find the perfect piece of jewelry and have fun at the same time.
