Has there ever been a time where you are dressed and looking at yourself in a mirror, and you feel like something is missing? Something just seems a little askew, even though your clothes, shoes, and socks all match. The answer is always jewelry. A necklace or a pair of earrings will bring that classy finish you need.
Be careful when storing all your jewelry together. It is better to use boxes, compartments, holders, and hooks for keeping pieces separate. Avoid simply piling them on top of each other in a box. This haphazard approach can cause damage to the individual components of fine jewelry, and create a tangled mess.
Be sure that you store all of your jewelry safely away from air and humidity. Keep your jewelry in a drawstring bag or in a box that is made for jewelry. Being submitted to extreme humidity and temperature can cause your pieces to tarnish. The thing about this is that non-precious metals cannot fully recover from this because underneath, the copper shows through. However, keep in mind that precious metals can go back to their own original forms.
Store your jewelry in a place that is not subjected to humidity extremes or open air. A box designed especially for jewelry gives the best protection, but a cloth bag can also work. Tarnish is a chemical reaction that happens when silver and other metals are exposed to moisture and air. Precious metals are capable of being polished until they are like new, while non-precious metals will not be able to be saved. This is because the non-precious metals are simple copper metal coated with the covering of precious metals, and when polished, they will allow the copper to show through.
When purchasing sterling silver, take along a good magnifying glass, along with a small magnet. When you do this, you become able to find fake pieces of any type of sterling jewelry. You can use the magnet because non-precious metals actually are attracted by magnets. Sterling silver should always bear a stamp that says Sterling, Ster. or .925. If the piece you’re inspecting doesn’t carry such a mark, be careful, as it is likely a fake.
You should always make an effort to properly care for all of your jewelry. Various settings, types of metals, and gemstones need different types of care to protect them and make sure they get cleaned properly. The best way to care for a particular piece of jewelry could be harmful to a different piece. If you can’t find information about caring for a specific piece of jewelry, consult a trusted jeweler.
As you can see, selling or buying jewelery requires you do your homework, and some hard work, so you can get the most out of it either way. We have provided you with some great tips that offer a solid starting point. Use them well and you’ll be on the way to successful purchases and sales.
