What jewelry represents is almost as interesting as actually wearing it. Milestones and major life events are often celebrated with jewelry, creating an unforgettable memory for both the giver and the recipient. When you understand how jewelry works, it makes the whole process more memorable.
Identify the kind of stone in every piece you consider. Jewels come in natural, synthetic and imitation forms. Synthetic stones are lab created jewels, while imitation stones are normally colored glass. Natural gems are those that are actually from the earth, whereas synthetic ones are made in labs.
When shopping for diamonds, make sure that you shop for them based on their four main criteria: color, cut, clarity, and carat. The color refers to the hue of the stone. The cut refers to the way that the stone is fashioned, such as princess and square cuts. Clarity refers to the flawlessness of the stone. The carat refers to the weight of the stone.
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.
Repurpose your jewelry to get the most wears out of each piece. Wrap a necklace around your wrist to fashion a new bracelet. Slip a pair of clip-on earrings onto a pair of pumps as shoe clips, and add a bit of sparkle to plain heels. Attach a pin or brooch to a necklace and update its look.
Make sure your jewelry matches at least a few of your outfits. You do not want to purchase pieces that you can only wear for very special events, as that may be impractical. Finding simple and elegant pieces that match several outfits is not as difficult as it sounds, and you will probably enjoy the search!
Try to fix scratches in watch glass before you waste money at a jeweler. Watch faces can easily get scratched by their constant exposure to the elements. To fix this, try rubbing a small amount of your toothpaste into the face of the watch. Use circular motion and see the scratches disappear like magic.
Many types of metals will quickly tarnish when exposed to air for prolonged periods of time. One of the easiest ways to avoid this is by placing them in an air-tight location. A great and simple solution is purchasing small zipper plastic bags and then carefully sealing your jewelry inside them.
When cleaning crystal jewelry simply wipe the dirt away with a soft, damp cloth. Using any kind of chemicals on crystal can damage the shimmer and shine in a very short period of time. Your best bet is to stick to plain water and maybe a tiny touch of dish detergent if your jewelry gets really dirty.
Store your jewelry in the same way you wear it. This means hanging necklaces and earrings, and storing rings on padded sticks. Not only does this protect your jewelry from becoming tangled, knotted, or damaged, it also allows you to easily see what jewelry you have and what matches well together.
If you are purchasing jewelry as a gift try to be sneaky. Use a friend, or snoop around when they aren’t looking to find their jewelry size. You wouldn’t want to spend all the time and effort on jewelry for that person and then come to find out it doesn’t even fit them.
If you are planning to purchase a piece of jewelry for your wife or girlfriend but do not want to ruin the surprise, do some detective work. Stealthily, sneak a peek in her jewelry box or simply pay attention to the pieces that she wears the most. Take note of details like whether she favors gold or silver, thick or delicate chains, or diamonds versus colored stones or pearls. This information will help both you and the salesperson narrow down the selection.
Some people have a sensitivity to many metals that precludes them from wearing much metal jewelry. The miracle of modern engineering has developed some hypoallergenic metals such as surgical stainless steel or titanium that are better suited to many of them and allows them to wear chain necklaces, traditional-looking rings, and earrings.
A popular modern component of jewelry for a quirky and individual style is buttons. Buttons come in all sorts of shapes, colors, and can be made from all sorts of materials, including metals such as gold and silver, glass, and plastic. They can be formed into rings, necklaces, earrings, and bracelets.
Know yourself and be true to your style and preferences when considering a jewelry purchase. An artsy, Bohemian turquoise necklace that looks fantastic on the Volkswagen-driving mom down the street will not get much wear on your own body if you leave the house every day in a business suit with pumps. Don’t be tempted to think you’ll wear a piece of jewelry that is contrary to your inherent personality.
Jewelry is best worn on special occasions. When you wear your best jewelry to work everyday you lose the opportunity to show it off. Take the time to think of when it is best to wear you jewelry and you are more likely to stun those around you by its presence.
For a clever way to store your necklaces and bracelets, remove the head of an old rake and spray paint it any color you wish (or use clear spray paint to keep the rustic look). Hang the rake on the wall securely, with the tines pointing outward, and hang your baubles from the tines to keep them neat and untangled.
Owning, purchasing and selling jewelry encompasses investing in an item that is almost priceless because of the memories it provides. Jewelry can symbolize a memorable moment or a hope for the future.
