Accessorizing with jewelry is a skill and an art! The dos and don'ts for jewelry can change over time. Learning what to do need not be intimidating! Following is some of the information available to guide you with your choice of jewelry:
A great place to purchase almost any type of jewelry in the world is Ebay. Ebay is an amazingly large marketplace that serves as a gateway to the world. You can purchase affordable vintage, fashion and fine jewelry. Ebay can help you get the best deals and even purchase jewelry that has long since been considered rare or no longer manufactured.
When jewelry shopping, you need to be prepared to carefully look, and inspect anything that you may want to buy. You need to get a loupe. This is a small pocket-sized magnifier that can show you what kind of quality you will be getting. It magnifies the jewelry so that you can inspect it to see if you are getting something of bad quality or good quality.
Do not use ultrasonic cleaners and jewelry cleaning liquids on your precious and semi- precious gemstones. Most gemstones are easily damaged and their properties become corroded by the chemical properties in jewelry cleaning liquids. Ultrasonic cleaners can shake the gemstone settings apart and deteriorate the glue used to secure the gemstone in the setting.
If you are interested in collecting costume jewelry, be sure to stay conscious of the condition. While normally is a beautiful investment, a piece of costume jewelry that is in poor condition is not worth buying. Jewelry that's in good repair can be a much better investment.
If you are truly in love with a piece of costume jewelry, even if it is in less than good condition, it is okay to spend the money on it. A piece that you will treasure is more of an investment than the monetary cost of an item, so splurging can be allowed.
To best protect the investment you made in your jewelry purchase, take care of it. Do not wear it when you do something like cleaning your house. If you do this, the chemicals you expose your jewelry to could harm the precious metals and stones. It's likely worth the minute that it takes to remove it.
If you're making your own earrings, go to a welding supply store to purchase aluminum wire. You can purchase the wire there in a spool, which is far less expensive than buying it in smaller quantities. Some aluminum wire is also hypoallergenic, making it the perfect choice for individuals with sensitive ears.
Avoid letting your jewelry come into contact with chemicals, such as those found in hairspray, lotion, perfume and other products. Some chemicals can stain or otherwise damage precious metals and stones. Porous stones like pearls, opal or turquoise should not be submersed in water for long, either, to prevent damage.
There are so many people who throw good money down the drain just to buy some expensive piece of jewelry that they don't really need. Save your money and purchase knock offs. You can find ones that look identical to the original but can cost up to 75% less.
To conveniently hang your necklaces, try using robe hooks. You can hang a whole row of these small pieces of hardware along a wall or the back of a closet door, then hang your necklaces in groups by color or length. This keeps your necklaces from balling into a knotty cluster in the jewelry box, and it looks lovely, too.
Do you have sterling silver jewelry? As you probably know, silver is a metal which oxidizes when in prolonged contact with air. To keep your silver nice and shiny, get into the habit of softly rubbing it weekly with a polishing cloth. If there is grime on your silver jewelry, simply use a soft, moist cloth to remove it. Dry the piece thoroughly and then use a polishing cloth to restore the shine.
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.
A busted clasp or tarnished chain does not necessarily spell the end of your favorite piece of jewelry. Look for ways to adapt pendants, beads, or accents into a new form. A sparkling, distinctive brooch can be threaded onto a delicate gold or silver chain, then worn as a necklace or bracelet.
When attempting to polish your silver jewelry, it's always a great idea to soak it in a solution of water and white vinegar. Stay away from cider and wine vinegars. Go with white vinegar only. This will remove tarnish from your jewelry and give it a million-dollar shine in only a few short minutes.
Rubbing alcohol is excellent for removing tarnish from sterling silver jewelry. You can either, soak the jewelry item in a small cup of rubbing alcohol for a few minutes or wrap the jewelry in a paper towel and pour rubbing fine jewelry repair over it. Let it soak for about 5 minutes and then polish with a soft, dry cloth.
If you love making jewelry, don't neglect "found" items in your designs! You can use all kinds of interesting tidbits to add flair and originality to your creations. For example, vintage buttons can make some very nice earrings! If you're into kitch, a collectible soda pop cap can make a cute pin! Be open-minded and creative to craft handmade treasures that will really stand out!
Try layering childhood jewelry with bigger, modern pieces so that you can keep wearing memories from childhood without looking immature or dated. Use a pendant as a point of interest within the cluster, and choose necklaces which share a theme; be it a color, material, or design.
So, now do you have some ideas? Enjoy your choice of jewelry! If you see some tips that will be of value to you that is great! Remember, accessorizing need not be intimidating!
