| The use of jewelry has differed in varied countries. Jewelry has been used as body decorations and amulets. It has been the object of jealosy, the cause of numerous assassinations, quarrels and ruthless betrayal. It has been inherited from grandparents.
The oldest jewelry comes from India. At the presen time exotic handmade jewelry has become a thriving business.
If you want to purchase jewelry, go to the widely respected jeweler's. Here are a number of recommendations on how to buy jewelry.
1. When you pick out metal jewelry, consider markings. Varied pieces of jewelry are marked differently. For instance, if a piece of jewelry is marked as sterling silver, it means that the product contains leastwise 92,5% of pure silver. If it is labeled with "925", it means that it is made of pure silver. The markings "Pt" or "Plat" stand for Platinum - a metal which is lots more expensive and precious than gold.
2. If you wish to purchase a precious stone, ask a sales assistant if it is natural or man-made. Artificial gems look similar to natural ones. Precious stones are weighed in carat. 1 carat is 1/5th of a gram.
3. Insure that you have grabbed a receipt where the weight and size of a precious stone are indicated.
Now after you have got a piece of jewelry, keep and store it in the correct way to avoid any damage.
1. Keep jewels separately, since rubbing against each other may damage jewelry. Store your jewels in a jewelry box. Or use an organiser box or ice cube trays which are a lot cheaper. Put each piece of jewelry in a Ziploc plastic bag with an anti-tarnish strip inside. Note that earrings should always be kept together.
2. Necklaces and necklets are strongly recommended to hang up.
3. Threads of beads should lay flat.
4. Keep jewelry far away from excessive heat. Store it at room temperature. Direct sunrays can also lead to damage. If your house is situated in a very dry climatic region, store opals beside a small vessel of water, as they demand humidity.
5. It is recommended to clean jewelry with a wet cotton cloth each time after use.
Stick to the above stated recommendations on buying and storing jewels and enjoy wearing them. |
