Jewelry is one of the few things that almost everyone agrees is nice. That being said it is very easy to use jewelry in poor taste or even in a tacky way. This article contains some tips about maintaining and using jewelry properly so that you can avoid faux pas such as these.
When selecting jewelry for a child, make sure it is an item that can grow with them. You may have to have it sized up in time, but an item they would be happy to wear as an adult will last them a lifetime. Choose classic styles with timeless elegance.
To keep your jewelry looking its best, make sure to remove it when handling harsh chemicals, such as when you clean your house, or when using beauty products. The chemicals in household cleaners and beauty products can be very hard on your jewelry, stripping them of their luster and leaving them dull and lifeless.
Keep your silver jewelry untarnished and clean. Your pieces do not look good when they are dirty. You can clean them at home using toothpaste or baking soda. Lightly scrub with the toothpaste or soak in baking soda overnight. You will wake up in the morning to clean shiny silver.
If you can’t afford to pay consignment fees for your handmade jewelry, consider partnering with other small and local business owners or jewelers to hold a trunk sale, mini-bazaar, or retail showcase night to generate interest in the community. Small jewelers and crafters can benefit by bonding with one another instead of viewing each other as competitors. If you are very worried about this, only approach jewelers with dissimilar styles and fashions.
Understanding the different cuts of a diamond will make your jewelry purchase much easier. The cut of a diamond refers to the actual cut of the diamond, not the shape of the diamond. The cut is extremely important when making a diamond jewelry purchase because it determines the brilliance and the overall sparkle factor associated with the item.
When soldering a wedding ring and an engagement ring together, make sure the jeweler polishes the rings. Engagement rings are often worn for some time before the wedding band is and it will look like the rings do not match if they are not polished to look new.
When you are viewing diamonds it is important that you do not look at them while they are sitting against a black background. You may perceive color differently and choose a diamond that is not really what you are looking for. Make sure to view it under a magnifier so you will see any flaws it may have.
Never go swimming while wearing jewelry. The strength of chlorine means it can hurt the shine of your jewelry and decrease its life. Saltwater is equally damaging to your precious jewels. Taking these off before swimming will protect their beauty and extend their life.
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.
When you decide to give someone a gift of jewelry, take a look at the jewelry they already own to see what their preferences are in color and metal. Many jewelry collections are tightly color-coordinated, so you should select stones to match an established scheme. Metal preference is even stronger, but easy to determine. Remember that very few people mix gold- and silver-toned metals.
One thoughtful way to increase the memorability of jewelry given as gifts is to coordinate jewelry given over time. A series of gifts, each of which matches previous pieces given, shows thoughtfulness and taste that is sure to be appreciated by the recipient. Building a matching set of jewelry through multiple gifts demonstrates a commitment to the relationship between giver and receiver.
Even though some people use toothpaste to clean their gold, silver or gemstones, jewelers do not recommend this practice. The abrasives in toothpaste can scratch the surface of precious metals and gemstones. To restore the jewelry back to its original, unscratched condition will require buffing and refinishing by a professional fine jeweler.
If you have extra beads left over after a jewelry project, use them to make a pair of earrings. Earrings are generally less time-intensive than other jewelry options, and you will not need as much material to complete them. A simple option is to thread bicone crystals and small seed beads, alternating the different types, and then attaching the ends of the thread to an earring finding.
If you are wearing a large, ornate necklace, don’t add large ornate earrings. Instead, do without earrings or wear something simple that complements your necklace, face and clothing. Likewise, if your earrings are large, dangly and attention getting, wear a simple choker or chain or no necklace at all.
Foiled rhinestones are a popular choice for children’s jewelry because they are extremely inexpensive and offer all the sparkle of a more expensive stone, or even more. Try them in such popular pieces as stretch bracelets, earrings, or anklets as a cheerful accent for children who wish to wear jewelry often.
Wearing too much jewelry can look gaudy. It may appear that you are seeking attention or that you may be bragging that you can afford a lot of jewelry. Instead, downplay jewelry and let it make the statement of enhancing your beauty instead of diminishing it. Tons of jewelry can be confusing and distracting to the viewer and may cause discord with all the bling of it.
By reading and following these tips you should be able to avoid some of the most common problems involving jewelry. This will allow you to wear your beautiful jewelry without the fear of over using it. These few small tips will go a very long way to helping you look classy.
