Practice with cheaper copper or steel wire if you're new to jewelry making. Sterling silver wire is very expensive and messing it up will cost you money, save this for when you become more experienced.
Cure the green skin of copper jewelry easily. When you wear jewelry that has a copper base you may soon find yourself turning into a martian. The green is caused by the metal oxidizing. Stop it in its tracks by applying clear nail polish to any jewelry surface that will be touching your bare skin.
Silver is one of the most popular metals used in fashion jewelry. In its purest form, the metal will rapidly oxidize and turn darker as it is exposed to the air. To avoid this tarnished look purchase silver that is labelled 925. This indicates that 92.5 percent is pure silver while the remaining 7.5 percent is copper. The trace amounts of copper prevent the silver from darkening over time.
If you're new to making wire jewelry, practice with copper wire or craft wire before moving on to sterling silver. There is a learning curve when it comes to making wire jewelry, and it's likely you will have to try a few times before getting it right. Sterling silver is expensive and starting with that material is not very cost effective.
Because the pink/red and green leaves in Black Hills Gold are alloyed with other metals such as copper and silver, they can tarnish over time. You can remove this tarnish safely by using a toothbrush and warm, sudsy water mixed with a little ammonia. Your Black Hills Gold jewelry will look lustrous and new again!
Many people see jewelry labeled as sterling silver plated and oftentimes think they've hit the jackpot when they purchase it at a very low price. In this case unfortunately, you do get what you pay for. This type of jewelry only contains a very thin coating of sterling silver on top of a cheap metal which can usually be identified as copper. The jewelry will eventually tarnish and cause the copper to show through underneath with enough wear.
When learning a new jewelry-making technique, use cheaper materials. For instance, if you are learning wire techniques, pick up some aluminum or copper wire from a local craft store, instead of using your sterling silver wire. This will help you get the valuable practice you need to master the technique, while sparing your pocketbook. If you mess up on your top-quality materials, they may become unusable.
Clean your copper jewelry regularly using a lemon juice solution. Copper will develop a tarnish over time and this will clean it. Some people really like the way copper looks when it gets a patina, but you can shine it up with some vinegar or juice.
Keep your jewelry stored somewhere that is free from humidity or air. Store jewelry in a sealed box or drawstring pouch for the best protection. Humid air affects the metals in jewelry and causes tarnishing. Precious metals are capable of being polished until they are like new, while non-precious metals will not be able to be saved. This is because the non-precious metals are simple copper metal coated with the covering of precious metals, and when polished, they will allow the copper to show through.
Educating yourself on the different types, styles, and price points available in the jewelry market, can help you to avoid a costly misstep. The advice in this article will make it easier for you to find the best piece of jewelry from the best seller, and of course, at only the very best price available.
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Now you have a starting point on how to keep your Jewelry looking great for years to come. Hopefully you've learned something new along the way from this Completed Jewelry Blog . If you're still not sure how to maintain your jewelry properly, there are tons more pieces of advice out there for you to find.
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