Getting To Know Jewelry: Your One-Stop Guide

From your mother to your wife, jewelry is the ideal gift for the women you care about. Here are a few tips about how to pick the right jewel for any type of woman.

Don’t use harsh chemicals like turpentine or bleach to clean jewelry. This can dull your stones and eat away their enamel.

When you are shopping for jewelry in sterling silver, be sure to examine the piece closely, and take along a magnet for metal testing. You can detect fake sterling silver with the magnet, since non-precious metals are drawn to magnets. If your silver is sterling, you will also notice a mark on the piece. This mark might state .925, sterling, or ster. If the piece that you are looking at is not hallmarked, this is usually the sign that it is a fake.

When purchasing sterling silver, take along a good magnifying glass, along with a small magnet. You can detect fake sterling silver with the magnet, since non-precious metals are drawn to magnets. True sterling sliver always has some sort of hallmark stamp on it, such as .925, sterling or ster. If you cannot find a stamp, you might be looking at a cheap imitation.

When you are shopping, think about the color or type of gem you want to buy. Gemstones come in three different varieties: natural, imitation and synthetic. Imitation has little value, as it is generally plastic, while synthetic and natural are considered to be real gems. They make synthetic stones in a lab, whereas natural stones come from the ground.

You need to take special care of costume jewelry. Many of the costume type settings are glued-in, rather than set-in. Don’t immerse costume jewelry in water or use chemicals on it. The best way to care for your jewelry is to use one damp cloth to wipe it followed by a dry one to dry it. This keeps costume jewelry looking its best.

A brooch can add visual interest and an accent to an otherwise dull belt. You can add it anywhere on the belt that you think looks good.

As you read earlier, a gift of jewelry is a perfect choice for almost any recipient. Apply these tips next time you wish to give something meaningful to your wife, girlfriend or mother.