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.
Try opting for silver over gold. The olden days of silver being a lesser metal than gold are over. Silver is also consistently priced, while gold continues to rise in price. You don't have to worry about karats with this metal. Just make sure to avoid nickel silver or German silver as they contain no real silver.
Sterling silver is a porous metal that oxidizes when it comes in contact with oxygen. To keep your silver jewelry looking clean and shiny, wipe any dirt or other substances off with a warm, damp cloth. Dry it thoroughly and polish with a polishing cloth to restore its natural luster and shine.
When you are working with any kind of silver there is one word that you should always keep in mind - polish! If you polish your silver regularly it will keep it shiny and beautiful for much longer. This helps to extend the life of the piece as well as look newer for longer.
Jewelry is often very difficult to purchase for a friend or loved one because there are as many different styles and types of jewelry as there are people to wear it. Bracelets are a great solution for many and are available in a huge variety of styles made for the fanciest of occasions to casual every-day wear. Plain silver and gold bangles are a staple for most women, but charm or sliding-bead style bracelets offer the buyer and the wearer the ability to completely customize the bracelet, as well as give the presenter a whole host of additional gifts to give in the future with the purchase of more charms or beads.
Rubies, which are popularly known as the traditional birthstone for those born during the month of July, are often thought to symbolize unwavering enthusiasm, strength, and feelings of passionate love. Gorgeous, deeply colored, rich red rubies are perfect as a focal point for both gold and silver rings, necklaces, bracelets, and earrings.
Be sure to clean your silver jewelry using professional cleaning products. Using home methods may be effective, but using cleaners specifically meant for silver can help to prolong the life of your silver jewelry. In addition, under no circumstances scrub, your silver. Instead, opt for using denture cleaners to scrub the silver without causing brush marks or other damage.
Try using an aluminum pan, baking soda and boiling water to clean tarnished sterling silver jewelry. First, lay the jewelry in the bottom of the aluminum pan. Next, sprinkle a layer of baking soda over the jewelry. Once the jewelry is covered with baking soda, pour boiling water into the pan. Use a spoon to push the jewelry around in the pan. When the water cools, remove your jewelry and dry it off. Finally, polish it with a cloth to remove any remaining tarnish.
Try adding some industrial metals to your collection. There is more to metal jewelry than just gold and silver. Industrial metals include stainless steel, titanium, tungsten carbide and tungsten. Industrial metals provide a much nicer shine and are more durable and less susceptible to damage. Titanium is known for being more lightweight, stainless steel and can be polished until it practically glows. Tungsten carbide can resist scratches for a long time, as well as being a dark metal.
If you find out you are allergic to certain metals such as silver then return the item for a substitute that is similar in color such as white gold. This will provide you with the same styles and designs, without having to worry about breaking out or any skin irritations. Many stores will negotiate with you and provide you with a great replacement.
In conclusion, it is best to know all that you can about your jewelry because when you wear it, you are showing everybody an extension of yourself. It is important to take care of your own image as well as taking care of your possessions. Hopefully you learned some important tips from this article.
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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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