People have always enjoyed jewelry. Take a look at history and you will see gorgeous necklaces adorning the necks of almost every wealthy lady. Walk through a busy street and you’ll find a watch on each person’s arm. Jewelry makes us happy, and choosing the right piece of jewelry is ever so important. In this article we will provide you with some tips for picking that perfect piece.
When dealing with precious and fragile stone jewelry, take them to get professionally cleaned. This is much better than scratching or destroying them yourself with regular jewelry cleaners. Even the jewelry cloths may be too much for some stones. Make sure though that they are not cleaned too often as this can be very counterproductive and actually weaken the stones.
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.
The world of body piercing has taken body jewelry to new heights. Many people like the feeling of having their tongues pierced, but having metal jewelry in your mouth can be damaging to your teeth. There are many colorful options available for plastic tongue jewelry that is safer for your mouth and won’t make your dentist cringe.
Take off your rings when you’re in the shower. It can be often tempting to keep your wedding band or promise ring on all the time, but the chemicals in soap, body wash and shampoo can have negative effects on your ring. Another great reason is because rings can often slide off and disappear down the drain. Keep your ring everlasting and safe by removing it before stepping into the shower.
A brooch is a great accent for your belt, adding eye-catching interest. You can pin in at the front-center of the belt or near the hip.
Save your broken beaded necklaces to give them new life. Do not let them fill a sacred box in your bedroom. Go in your bathroom and grab the dental floss. Use it to restring your necklace and it will likely last longer than the original string lasted on the piece.
You should check your rings periodically for loose stones or bent prongs. It is best to catch these issues early and have the ring repaired by a professional jeweler than to lose a precious stone. Most jewelers can re-tip worn prongs to ensure your stone stays secure.
Be very careful with the types of beauty products that you wear near your fine jewelry. Some types of perfumes and even many lotions include ingredients that can damage your jewelry over time. Try to wear perfume in locations that won’t make contact with whatever you are wearing and you will be able to avoid this problem.
If your jewelry has gemstones, you should not soak your jewelry when you are trying to clean it. Gemstones can absorb water and soap, causing them to lose their natural color. When you are cleaning gemstones, you should use a damp cloth to scrub it clean so you can preserve your jewelry’s natural luster.
When cleaning crystal jewelry simply wipe the dirt away with a soft, damp cloth. Using any kind of chemicals on crystal can damage the shimmer and shine in a very short period of time. Your best bet is to stick to plain water and maybe a tiny touch of dish detergent if your jewelry gets really dirty.
You should learn how to use the jeweler’s magnifier (loupe) so that you can see the inside of the stone and check to see if there are damages or chips on the inside of it. If there are any chips or damages that will greatly reduce the value of the stone.
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.
Jewelry with onyx or crystal can make an impact and separate you from the crowd. By being nicer to your wallet, you may get better results.
Avoid storing multiple bracelets and/or multiple necklaces together, especially if they’re thin. They can easily tangle and outright tear while you’re trying to get them untangled. If you’re storing them in the same box, pick up some small bags to keep them in separately. A little time to separate could save you some big money.
Give the gift that allows you to keep on giving. Add-a-pearl and add-a-bead type necklaces and bracelets along with charm bracelets make gift-giving easy! Start your loved one off with the basic chain or bracelet necessary and perhaps a pearl, bead or charm to commemorate the occasion, and with every holiday, birthday or special event in the future, use those opportunities to add to it with additional charms and beads.
Jewelry is something we have loved throughout the ages. Picking that perfect piece can be difficult though. You want something that is special, makes a statement, and shows true quality. In this article we have provided you with some of the top tips for picking that perfect gem. Use them next time you visit your favorite jewelry store and you’ll walk out with a lasting smile on your face.