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.
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.
A great source for unique and inexpensive jewelry pieces are local thrift shops. Local thrift stores can be a treasure trove for antique and truly unusual pieces. Often, these establishments do not have the staff, training or time, that is necessary to check for hallmarks or gold and silver content. A few dollar’s investment can often yield, not only some really unique pieces of jewelry, but also some pieces that may be, quite valuable.
Add extra depth and meaning to custom pieces by incorporating gemstones and beads that are associated with deeper meanings. To convey a sense of purity and peace, incorporate white stones like opals, pearls, diamonds, and colorless topaz as focal pieces. These colors look especially striking when paired with gold accents.
To remove tarnish from your silver jewelry without harsh chemicals, line the inside of a pot with aluminum foil, and add four cups of water and an eighth of a cup each of baking soda, salt and dish soap. Gently place all of your pieces into the liquid, counting them as you go. Bring the mixture up to a simmer for a couple of minutes, then turn off the burner and allow it to soak. Pour everything gently through a colander, then place the pieces on a towel to dry, counting them as you go.
If you have suffered through skin irritation from a piece of jewelry, you will want to look for future pieces that are described as hypoallergenic or nickel free. Other options in jewelry that are less prone to cause sensitivity is that made from titanium or surgical stainless steel. Options are available to keep you fashionable.
Ask your jeweler if they have the current equipment that is used to distinguish real diamonds from those that were created in a lab. Most of the older equipment can detect cubic zirconia, but sometimes they mistake lab diamonds for real ones. Making sure your jeweler has the correct testing equipment can save you from being a victim of fraud.
When it comes to taking care of your jewelry be sure that you remove it before going in the bathtub or shower. This is important because not only do you run the risk of losing it down the drain, but the cleaning materials used safely on your body may cause temporary or permanent damage to your jewelry.
Think of expensive jewelery as an investment for the years to come. While the price tag does frequently denote the quality of a piece, you should also consider whether a piece is crafted in a timeless style. Something that is trendy right now might look ridiculous in a few years. Choose a piece that has classic lines and timeless style.
If you are passionate about wearing and selling jewelry but lack the time or materials to make your own, many companies offer opportunities to sell their rings, necklaces, and bracelets in an Avon-inspired business arrangement. Authorized representatives, with marketing help from the parent company, build clientele and sell pieces for a percentage of the selling price.
Store your earrings on a long piece of ribbon. Tie the ends of the ribbon to each end of your mirror and then tack the earrings to the ribbon, using the backs to keep them in place. This gives you easy access to your favorite pairs, and is also a decorative feature in your bedroom or bathroom.
While sapphires are classically blue, they actually come in a myriad of shades- every shade besides red, in fact (red sapphires are known as rubies). They are characterized by their durability and strength, and are great candidates for jewelry because they can withstand just about everything, and can suit every wardrobe.
It is not easy to find truly flawless sapphires and rubies, which historically has made these stones quite expensive, particularly in the lighter shades, which makes the flaws easier to see. Fortunately, modern technology has made it possible to produce artificial stones that are identical in every way except for the flaws, and are much cheaper. Jewelry made from these stones is just as beautiful.
Nephrite is a popular stone used for jewelry. It is very tough and durable, and comes in a wide variety of colors, the most popular of which is a deep opaque green. It is frequently carved into ornate shapes and used as a pendant in a necklace or as insets in other jewelry.
If you decide to use a toothbrush to clean your vintage or fine jewelry, take special care to use only a brush with the softest bristles available. You should also purchase a toothbrush that will be used only for jewelry. The peroxide and other cleaning ingredients in toothpaste residue can be damaging to delicate metals and stones.
If you want to wear a necklace from your childhood years without looking immature or old-fashioned, layer it with larger, more modern necklaces to create a grouped look. A pendant featuring a heart or cross can seem more personal than other necklaces and will blend well if worn in a cluster of necklaces.
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.
