Since ancient times, both men and women have adorned themselves with jewelry. Jewelry is more than just pretty accessories to wear with your clothes. In addition to fashion purposes, people also wear jewelry for cultural, religious or medicinal reasons. The following article provides you with information on the different types of jewelry and why it’s so popular with people of all ages.
Save some of your most fragile jewelry for special occasions only. Some fragile stones like opal and peridot should only be worn for special events and then carefully stored until the next occasion. This may seem irritating since you want to be able to wear your best pieces, but it can prolong their life if you avoid exposing them to harm too often.
Avoid using things like bleach, acetone, ammonia, turpentine, and other related chemicals to clean them with. Harsh chemicals can destroy the enamel, and ruin the stones in your jewelry.
Do not purchase any jewelry from retailers in China. This country is notorious for selling fake gemstone and metal jewelry. Oftentimes, the jewelry advertised as sterling silver with real turquoise is just a piece of metal sprayed in silver and the turquoise is a fake piece of plastic. Such vendors may accept returns, but the hassle of shipping it back at your own cost, is usually not worth it. Be aware of scams like this.
Don’t discard your antique broach from Grandma, re-purpose it. If you put a chain through it, the broach instantly becomes a fashionable necklace. Vintage jewelry is extremely popular these days and finding a way to make it wearable makes it fashionable. Re-using is also a popular concept in our “green” society. That broach can serve you well with just a slight alteration to its use.
When buying jewelry, the most important thing to consider is what you like and feel comfortable in. Even if bracelets or dangling earrings are in fashion, something that you dislike or don’t feel comfortable in never looks fashionable. When you’re uncomfortable, it shows. When you’re comfortable and like your look, it shows!
If you’re new to making wire jewelry, practice with copper wire or craft wire before moving on to sterling silver. There is a learning curve when it comes to making wire jewelry, and it’s likely you will have to try a few times before getting it right. Sterling silver is expensive and starting with that material is not very cost effective.
When deciding on the jewelry for your wedding, check out the differences between purchasing and renting. If you are only planning on wearing these extravagant pieces once, then renting may be your best bet. However, if you feel you would wear it again, or want to keep it as a memento, buying may be the best choice.
It is important to visit different jewelers and examine multiple pieces when shopping for diamond jewelry. Every diamond is unique and they all have slight imperfections. When you see the diamond yourself, you may find certain flaws not to be that important. In addition, each jeweler evaluates the flaws as a basis for setting different prices. It will pay to shop different jewelers while looking for the best diamond in your price range.
When buying jewelry, it is important to find out what stone your partner likes best or what your partner’s favorite color is. Many people make the mistake of buying someone their birthstone because they think it is a safe bet. There are many people who simply do not like the color of their birthstone and would prefer not to wear it.
When it comes to taking care of your jewelry make sure that it is completely dry before storing it. This is extremely important because not only can you cause damage to whatever you are storing it in, but you run the risk of tarnishing or staining your jewelry.
Keep in mind that 10 karat gold is the strongest of all types of gold, but it is also the one that contains the least amount of gold. On the other hand, 24 karat gold is the one that contains the largest amount of gold and it is the weakest.
When it comes to taking care of your jewelry be sure that it is safe while in storage. This is important because depending on how it is stored, you may find that it becomes scratched or tarnished. To avoid this, prevent your jewelry items from coming in to contact with each other and also make sure that the container it is in is soft and dry.
If you have a really expensive piece of jewelry, having a skilled jeweler craft a fake piece identical to the real is a good idea if you’re a frequent traveler. Jewelry is mostly sentimental, so wearing a fake piece on vacation will ensure that you’re keeping the real thing as safe as it can be.
From fashionistas to newlyweds to the Pope, jewelry is worn by many different people for many different reasons. The above tips are a great guide for helping you decide which type of jewelry is right for you. As simple as it may seem, purchasing and caring for jewelry can be a confusing process, not to mention, figuring out how to wear it in a way that best reflects your personality and needs. Put these tips to use the next time you slip on a bracelet or start your search for the perfect ring.
