You need to have knowledge of jewelry care regardless of how you acquire it; you should also maintain a basic familiarity with buying and selling trends so you make the best choices with the pieces you have or are considering purchasing. You can make sure that the time and money you devote to your jewelry does not go to waste by reading this article’s tips.
Try using a simple polishing cloth on your jewelery collection. This helps keep your jewelry shiny without the need for chemical cleansers, which can damage the pieces. All you do is polish it like you would a glass with the two-sided cloth. Use one side to shine it and the other to polish it.
You should always store your jewelry very carefully. It’s better to keep pieces separate by using boxes, holders, hooks and other containers. Tossing all of your jewelry into the same box is a bad plan. This does damage to jewelry pieces, which are often fragile. Necklaces lumped together can get tangled up into a knotted ball.
Precious Metals
Keep your jewelry in a relatively air-tight container, and minimize its exposure to humidity. Keep your jewelry in a drawstring bag or in a box that is made for jewelry. Certain metals will be tarnished when exposed to humidity or air. While precious metals can be polished back to their original luster, non-precious metals are only coated in which case polishing causes the copper metal underneath to show through.
When you buy jewelry, it should last the rest of your life. Don’t buy jewelry from less than reputable stockists if you expect your pieces to be of the highest quality. High-quality jewelry items will have superior craftsmanship and pleasing, aesthetic designs. A jeweler should know about each piece he sells, including the person that made it, the origin of precious stones or other materials and other history, such as previous owners for antique or estate pieces. Put effort into your choice, so you can be sure that the piece will last generations.
Do they often wear hoop earrings, or stud earrings? Do they show a preference for white or yellow gold? These answers should give you a reasonable starting point for your shopping.
Before you think about picking up new jewelry, check into what the latest trends are to get a sense of what’s of value. You will enjoy your jewelery even more if you can get it on sale.
When you purchase jewelry from a jeweler, ask about their insurance policy. That way, if something were to happen to your jewelry, you can easily bring it back to the jeweler who will fix or replace it. You might find some jewelers who are willing to insure it against loss and theft.
Keep your jewelry from getting tarnished to preserve its best appearance. Avoid wearing your jewelry near water. Many of the metals become tarnished, rusty or dull when they get exposed to the elements of water. To protect your jewelry from exposure, apply a single coat of clear nail lacquer to its surface.
You should wear the jewelry for a few days to see how it feels and if it is comfortable. By wearing it yourself, you can also gauge the ruggedness of the piece.
A brooch can add visual interest and an accent to an otherwise dull belt. To add a twist to tradition, place the brooch at your hip.
Selling jewelry online requires you to capture stunning images of the piece. Visuals are particularly important because customers cannot physically see or touch jewelery when they buy online. Photograph jewelry in a setting that concentrates the viewer’s attention solely on the jewelry; avoid distracting backgrounds.
Jewelry that is well-cared for is important, both for its monetary worth and its sentimental value. When you protect your jewelry you help protect both your investment and your memories. Continue learning about jewelry care, and you’ll never have to retire another piece.