It is important to understand the proper way to shop for, wear and store fine jewelry, regardless of whether it is a newer piece or a cherished heirloom. You will find some great suggestions to increase your understanding in these matters when you read this article.
Steer clear of ammonia, bleach or other strong chemical solvents when you need to clean these items. These chemicals can wreak havoc on your jewelry, from discoloring bands, to dulling stones, to eroding enamel or glue.
Don’t use acetone, bleach, ammonia or turpentine to clean copper. This can cause your stones to turn and dull in color, along with eating away any enamel on the pieces.
Don’t keep your jewelry in open air or someplace with a lot of humidity. A drawstring bag or closed box offers the best protection from moisture in the air. Humid air affects the metals in jewelry and causes tarnishing. You will be able to polish precious metals to remove tarnish, but non-precious metals may lose their coating, showing the copper metal beneath.
Most jewelry is intended to last for a life time. Always purchase pieces from reputable jewelers in order to make sure you are getting quality pieces. A high-quality piece of jewelry should be well-made and show superior craftsmanship. The jeweler should be able to give you a history on the piece, like who crafted it and where the stones came from if there are any. A quality item of jewelry will last a lifetime or more, so take the time to do your research.
Now that you’ve come to the end of the article, you are armed with the knowledge you need when shopping for that next great piece of jewelry. Keep this information in mind as you begin to invest your time and money throughout the buying process.