Choosing Jewelry and Other Tips

Wedding rings (Photo credit: SParadisPhoto)

It takes a bit of know-how and mostly gut feeling on what would look great on your fiancee's finger. But, choosing the perfect rings for the engagement and the wedding is easier when you already have an idea what your bride-to-be's tastes are in jewelry. In addition, taking care of the ring can be tricky when you've gotten used to wearing it that you often forget it's there.

Untangle knotted messes of delicate chains and necklaces: It's easy to get frustrated with tangled chains of necklaces. You should use plastic wrap. Put the necklace on the plastic wrap and cover it with a little mineral oil or baby oil. Use a straight pin to untangle the necklace. Wash it gently with dish soap, and then pat dry.

To avoid the stress of dropping a ring down the drain, remove them prior to washing dishes or your hands. Never clean jewelry at a sink without double-checking that you've plugged the drain first. It's easy to lose that precious piece as it slips from your finger when covered in soap. If you were to plug the drain, your jewelry will not end up in the drain pipes.

Keep your jewelry free of tarnish. Try not to wear your ring when swimming in a chlorinated pool. Chlorine can cause some metals to lose their luster or become tarnished. Salt water can damage them over time, too. Take your jewelry off before jumping into the water at the beach. If you want to give your jewelry a measure of protection from this element, prepare it by adding some clear nail polish on the surface.

Before you begin the cleaning process, make sure that there are no breaks or loose gemstones that could potentially fall out if you were to clean the item. If you find out that the jewelry you bought has been damaged, take the item to your local jeweler or gemologist and let them clean your item.

Avoid wearing your ring in places where there's too much steam and heat. The moisture and high temperatures in saunas can damage the pieces.

Don't be taken in by salespeople at the jewelry store. While you've heard of the skills of these famous jewelers, the quality of the stones may not be as superior as you think. In addition, some stores have overpriced items, which you can have at a lower rate from a lesser known shop. Look at different jewelry before you buy anything second-hand. You could save huge amounts of money if you take the time to look for better prices. Check the newspaper, the Internet, and even storefront windows. If you purchase something on clearance, then you can save up to fifty percent.

Synthetic or man-made gemstones are a whole new dimension to buying jewelry. These stones are nearly indistinguishable from natural ones. It is hard to tell the difference between real and fake sapphires. These beautiful stones are chemically and physically identical, but synthetic stones are available at a much lower cost than naturally mined stones.

Always be mindful of your budget when purchasing jewelry. A young couple may need to buy a less expensive ring and upgrade later. You can upgrade when finances are a nice ring guard as an anniversary present.

At this time, there's no reason to overlook the option of buying antique cushion cut rings at vintage shops. Jewelry that's been loved properly retains some sentimental value apart from its economic worth. By learning to treat your jewelry with care, you can protect the money and memories invested in it.

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A brief vacation

I have just got back from UP Diliman for a week of respite. I had training for trainers at UP SoLaIR (School of Labor and Industrial Relations). It was a working vacation. At least I had time to slow down and not think of work for a few days. It was good! Really felt good to be taken cared of by the University Hotel staff.