Jewelry is a perfect gift to commemorate any special occasion. Jewelry has a lasting sentimental value as well as a quality that makes it timeless. Many favored pieces are passed down through generations in families. This article will give you some ideas and reminders to get the best out of your treasure.
Costume jewelry is worth considering if you’re going to work and don’t wish to wear any jewelry that has a high value attached to it. Costume pieces of jewelry don’t contain any precious metals or gemstones, which makes them highly affordable and widely available. This type of jewelry does tend to tarnish over time and cannot be shined with a polishing cloth.
Make sure to keep regular tabs on the state of your jewelry. You need to constantly assess the condition of your pieces to catch any issues or damage early. It is best to catch them early because this is when you should get them fixed to avoid major or irreversible damage, or even losing the item.
Try making your own jewelry pieces. It just takes some tools and some materials to get started. More specifically, there are many kinds of materials you can use. You can use wire, string, beads, yarn, thread, glass, stone, metal, etc. The only limitation is your hands and your imagination, so have fun with it.
Buy brightly colored jewelry to pair with the same black clothing. The same little black dress can seem like a completely new and exciting outfit simply by adding different accessories. Brightly colored jewelry will stand out against a dark color as well as giving you a dynamic look.
Part of selecting your wedding jewelry should be taking into consideration when you’re getting married. Sparkly jewelry, like dangling diamonds, look best when light is coming from all directions, as it would in a night ceremony or reception. Daytime weddings, especially outdoors, tend not to highlight this kind of jewelry as well.
What style of jewelry you choose for your wedding should be influenced by the style of your dress. If you have a high neckline then you can forgo a necklace and instead have drop earrings with a lot of sparkle. Long sleeves will usually mean you don’t want to wear a bracelet.
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.
If you own hemp jewelry, never wear it in the shower or while swimming. Exposure to water will greatly reduce the lifespan of your hemp pieces. Always remove your jewelry prior to water related activities, and avoid wearing it on very humid days as well. This will keep your special pieces looking great for a long time.
Be highly aware when you go in a shop to buy new jewelry. The people running the shop have had years of training to guide you right into buying a diamond that has been getting dusty in their case. If you feel the least bit pressured, you should leave and try another shop, or come back later.
If you are looking to purchase a piece of jewelry with precious stones, there are synthetic gems that are more affordable, and have a similar grade of quality as natural gems. But, remember that imitation gems which are composed of plastic elements are indeed fake, whereas synthetic gems are cultured in actual laboratories.
When you are trying to clean silver, the best thing you can do for it is to apply some toothpaste to it and let it sit for a while before wiping it off with a soft cloth. This helps dingy jewelry to shine and sparkle like it once did.
Clean silver jewelry with products from your kitchen. Silver jewelry tarnishes with time but it is easily cleaned with vinegar. Combine half a cup of white vinegar with two tablespoons of baking soda in a small bowl. Stir the mixture until it forms bubbles. Put your silver jewelry into the solution leaving it for two to three hours depending on how tarnished it is. Remove the jewelry and wash it under cool running water. It will look as good as new!
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.
If your jewelry-buying goals get ambitious and you are dead set on a piece, a little outside of your price range, always economize by selecting lower-karat gold, instead of getting plated pieces. Plated jewelry may look superior to impure gold, but its beauty is too fragile and short-lived. Once a plated piece begins to deteriorate, nothing can be done to salvage it.
To maintain the integrity of the setting, only use a slightly damp cloth to gently clean the piece. Afterwards, dry the whole piece with a soft cloth. Keep your fashion and costume jewelry away from steam cleaners and harsh chemicals.
As already indicated, jewelry can be a timeless gift. Its sentimental value often surpasses the monetary value. Jewelry, though, does need some attention, just like anything else you may treasure. Spend the time needed to get the most out of your jewelry. Enjoy!