What jewelry represents is almost as interesting as actually wearing it. Jewelry not only reminds us of our important relationships, it also helps memorialize those special occasions. By knowing more about jewelry, and the buying and selling process in particular, you will find the purchase of each piece a rewarding and memorable experience.
Try cleaning your jewelry collection with a polishing cloth. This method ensures your jewelry stays shiny without having to use any chemical cleansers or solvents. Use the two-sided cloth to polish your jewelry as if you were cleaning glass. Use a two-sided cloth to clean your jewelry, one for polishing, and the other for shining.
Separate your jewelry for storage to avoid getting pieces tangled. You can protect your jeweled investments with hooks, boxes and holders that keep each piece intact and prevent tangles. Don’t just box all the pieces together in a pile. This can damage the finer and more fragile pieces, and items like necklaces can entangle with each other and other pieces into a big mess.
When shopping for sterling silver jewelry, it is a good idea to bring a small magnet along with you. If the piece you are examining is not silver and is made from non-precious metal, it will be attracted to the magnet. Your sterling silver jewelery should always be imprinted if it is real. The stamp may read “.925” or “ster”. If the item has no markings indicating its authenticity, then be wary.
You need to know the type of gem that you are purchasing. The three different types of stones are natural, imitation and synthetic. Imitation is plastic that is colored to looked like the stone, but natural stones and synthetic stones are real. Natural stones are found underground and synthetic gems are created in a lab.
Comparison shopping is a must when shopping for diamonds. Take a look at the diamonds up close, then put it next to other pieces you are interested in. Be aware that some dealers will use cheap tactics to make a diamond look better than it is.
Keep your jewelry from getting tarnished to preserve its best appearance. Jewelry should not be worn near the water. If you let some metals get wet too often, they can tarnish, rust or become dull. If you are looking to protect your jewelry from the ill effects of water, try applying clear nail polish, just a thin layer, on the piece itself.
Jewelry is more than just precious metals and gemstones. It is something priceless; something that symbolizes precious memories. Jewelry can symbolize a memorable moment or a hope for the future.