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Things You Must Know When Trying To Get Good Quality Jewelry

Chris Kostopoulos Jan 2, 2013 · 5 min read

Restored from the Empower Network archive (2011–2017), lightly edited to meet our current advertising standards. Views are the original author’s.

Fine jewels stir passion in many people’s hearts, regardless if it is being purchased for themselves or for others. If you purchase, wear or care for jewelry, there is a vast amount of information available that can help you find the proper approach in all of these areas. This article will help you to find those answers.

Knowing what type of jewel you are buying when you purchase jewelry is very important. Gems can be natural, imitation or synthetic. Imitation has little value, as it is generally plastic, while synthetic and natural are considered to be real gems. The only difference between natural and imitation gemstones is where they are made. Natural occur naturally, while synthetic stones are grown in labs.

TIP! Synthetic or man-made gemstones are a budget-friendly alternative. To the untrained eye, these stones are virtually indistinguishable from natural stones.

Before you buy any item of jewelry, have a think about what your long term plans are for it. A big supply of jewelry that you never wear is of little use to you. When making a selection, remember your outfits, clothing and accessories.

It can be very hard to tell a natural ruby or sapphire from a synthetic one. Both are beautiful and share physical properties, but created stones sell at an enormous discount over the cost of flawless mined stones. Always have a gemologist look at a piece if it is advertised as natural sapphire to see if the piece has natural inclusions or not.

Proper care of your setting requires you to gently wipe the piece with a damp cloth. Then polish the entire jewelry piece with a dry, soft cloth. Harsh cleansers and chemicals should not be used to clean fashion or costume jewelry.

TIP! Think carefully about what stones you want in your jewelry. Purchase stones that are a reflection of you who are, and match your skin tone as well.

Don’t use things that contain harsh chemicals like bleach, ammonia, acetone or turpentine, to clean your jewelry. Using them may result in damage to your jewelry, may cause dulling of gemstones, and may erode enamel work.

Every necklace, bracelet or anklet can benefit from a quality clasp. A flimsy clasp could result in lost jewelry. For especially valuable necklaces and bracelets, adding a safety clasp to the piece is a good way to safeguard them. If there is a piece that you simply cannot afford to lose, try an additional clasp for added safety.

If your rings are loose, it is best if you remove them before washing dishes, doing laundry or taking a shower or bath. When you wear loose rings in a situation where soapy water is plentiful, the odds of them sliding off unnoticed are too great to risk.

TIP! A diamond with brilliant clarity and a perfect cut can be more attractive, not to mention more valuable, than a stone that is larger but flawed. You also need to think about who is going to receive this ring.

You don’t need to focus too much on the brand when you purchase jewelry. Not only is most jewelry not brand-recognizable, but you are also going to pay more just for the name. Many brands offer excellent quality.

Don’t swim wearing your jewelry. The life and luster of your jewelry can be damaged by the strong chemical chlorine. Salt water can be equally damaging over time. To extend the life of your jewelry, and protect the beauty, take off all jewelry before going into the water.

Unfortunately, a charged tourmaline naturally attracts dust. Tourmaline becomes dirty more easily because of this. Clean your gems regularly.

TIP! Before you buy, ask the jeweler if and how the gemstone was treated. You will need to know what type of care it might require as a result of the treatment.

Wearing the jewelry yourself can help you decide if it will be appropriate for your intended recipient. This will also let you know how the piece holds up in every day environments.

Think about ordering custom jewelery if you want to make an original gift to someone who counts for you. A one-of-a-kind jewelry piece is a great way to show someone how much they mean to you.

The ideal choker necklace should be sixteen inches long, so bear this in mind if you are shopping for one. 16 inches is the commonly acceptable length, but if you want something more specific, measure your neck then subtract an inch or less from that number. This technique will result in an excellent fit.

TIP! Sometimes men are unsure of when the appropriate time is to wear cufflinks. Typically the best time to wear your cufflinks is with an expensive and high quality dress shirt.

If you cannot afford a piece of jewelry that you like, you can have a replica specially made. A lot of the time all you will need is a photograph of the piece you want. Hand your reference picture over to a specialized craftsman or a jewelry store. The jeweler can use plated materials to drastically reduce the cost of the finished product.

A beautiful and oftentimes overlooked gemstone is Alexandrite. This stone actually changes color, depending on the natural light. It is often used in earrings, rings and pendants.

You need to know how to care for each piece in your jewelry collection. Depending on the metals and stones used in your jewelry, along with how they are set, you will need different maintenance methods. Not all jewelry should be cared for in the same way. For the best information on how to look after your jewelry, you should talk to a jeweler.

TIP! Jewelry is best stored in an area with low humidity. It’s best to store it in a closed box, like a jewelry box, or a drawstring bag.

Men are not the only ones who become overwhelmed by the variety of gemstones and metals available in the world of jewelry. Women have also reported confusion about the best ways to buy, wear and store jewelry. Remember to use these tips to choose jewelery.