You may envy the glittering jewelry that you see celebrities and jewelers wearing. It may surprise you to learn that you too can have an amazing collection. While part of this involves choosing great pieces of pearl and gemstone jewelry, it also involves caring for what you have already purchased.
One thing that any professional jeweler can tell you is that not all materials are created equal. Learning as much as possible about what you own and what it is made from is key to keeping things looking great. If you do not know how to properly care for your items, you may find that you are actually damaging them instead of helping to maintain their condition.
You may think that all gemstones are equally hard and durable but this is not the case. Pearls, for example, look beautiful but are very delicate. Opals are also valuable but they are soft and can break or chip easily. Metals such as gold or platinum are not as vulnerable to damage but silver and copper can scratch and discolor. If you are polishing metal objects that are set with stones you will want to avoid damaging them. Choose the right cleaning product and you can avoid this.
There are many beautiful pieces that incorporate pearls. They come in a range of colors and sizes. They can be quite expensive and can also be easily damaged. In order to keep skin oil and cosmetics from pitting the surface it is worth your while to wipe them down. Use a soft cloth and roll them back and forth to remove any chemicals or dirt. After, you can put your clean pieces in bags and containers that will make sure they don't get chipped or broken.
If you are dealing with a string of beads you will need to check them occasionally. You should check to make sure that the string that they hang on is not wearing out. You also may want to make sure that the cord remains knotted tightly to the clasp if there is one. It can be frustrating if your beaded necklace breaks and you lose beads.
A professional will be able to help you if you are unsure of a piece's condition. They will often be able to inspect claws and clasps to make sure they are not damaged. Often they will use a machine that uses ultrasonic waves to knock dirt off of a piece. If a white gold piece has become discolored they can correct that as well.
The right container is also key. If you put everything together in one area it will be easy for scratches to happen. Harder items may damage softer ones. Also, chains can become damaged if they are allowed to become tangled. If you know you are expanding your collection in future, you may want to make sure that you purchase a container that is large enough to hold everything.
By caring for items properly you may be amazed at how good they look no matter how long they have been in your possession. By using a few simple products and techniques you can make sure that they do not get damaged and stay looking beautiful.
One thing that any professional jeweler can tell you is that not all materials are created equal. Learning as much as possible about what you own and what it is made from is key to keeping things looking great. If you do not know how to properly care for your items, you may find that you are actually damaging them instead of helping to maintain their condition.
You may think that all gemstones are equally hard and durable but this is not the case. Pearls, for example, look beautiful but are very delicate. Opals are also valuable but they are soft and can break or chip easily. Metals such as gold or platinum are not as vulnerable to damage but silver and copper can scratch and discolor. If you are polishing metal objects that are set with stones you will want to avoid damaging them. Choose the right cleaning product and you can avoid this.
There are many beautiful pieces that incorporate pearls. They come in a range of colors and sizes. They can be quite expensive and can also be easily damaged. In order to keep skin oil and cosmetics from pitting the surface it is worth your while to wipe them down. Use a soft cloth and roll them back and forth to remove any chemicals or dirt. After, you can put your clean pieces in bags and containers that will make sure they don't get chipped or broken.
If you are dealing with a string of beads you will need to check them occasionally. You should check to make sure that the string that they hang on is not wearing out. You also may want to make sure that the cord remains knotted tightly to the clasp if there is one. It can be frustrating if your beaded necklace breaks and you lose beads.
A professional will be able to help you if you are unsure of a piece's condition. They will often be able to inspect claws and clasps to make sure they are not damaged. Often they will use a machine that uses ultrasonic waves to knock dirt off of a piece. If a white gold piece has become discolored they can correct that as well.
The right container is also key. If you put everything together in one area it will be easy for scratches to happen. Harder items may damage softer ones. Also, chains can become damaged if they are allowed to become tangled. If you know you are expanding your collection in future, you may want to make sure that you purchase a container that is large enough to hold everything.
By caring for items properly you may be amazed at how good they look no matter how long they have been in your possession. By using a few simple products and techniques you can make sure that they do not get damaged and stay looking beautiful.
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