Jewellery Mistakes To Avoid

Buying,
caring for and wearing jewellery sounds easy enough, but there are some things
buyers need to be aware of when making a purchase, as well as some aftercare
tips and techniques that can prolong the life of your jewellery. It can be hard to know what to do, especially
if you are just starting to graduate from high-street fashion jewellery to
pieces with more longevity (both in terms of style and quality of
craftsmanship). We have laid out some
things all jewellery lovers should be aware of when purchasing and owning high
quality jewellery.
Firstly, it's
important to know your metals and the different between the types that are
usually used to make jewellery. People
with nickel and copper allergies need to be particularly careful about what
jewellery they buy, and sometimes sterling silver isn't hypoallergenic enough
to ensure no reaction. All Amore Argento
sterling silver jewellery is rhodium plated (even the chains on our necklaces)
to ensure it is safe for people with allergies.
Rhodium is nickel free so it is perfect for those with sensitive skin,
and it also keeps your jewellery looking brand new for longer.
Platinum and
gold are generally considered to be hypoallergenic, but these come at a
cost. When buying gold jewellery check
whether it is solid gold, gold plated or gold filled if this is an investment
piece. Solid gold jewellery is more
valuable than gold filled or gold plated pieces; there is nothing wrong with
this if you're aware you're buying gold plated jewellery, but if you were
hoping for a solid gold piece and you find the gold plate wears off after a
couple of years you will be disappointed.
The same
advice goes for gemstones. Natural
pearls are much more expensive than cultured and freshwater pearls, and
although they give the same look, you want to be sure you're paying the right
amount. We use freshwater pearls for
their uniformity and budget-friendliness – Amore Argento pearl jewellery has
all the lustre and style of natural pearls without the price tag. We use naturally occurring gemstones, which
is why we use cubic zirconia instead of synthetic diamonds. The look is the same, but the price is much
easier on your bank balance. Many
gemstones are treated to change their colour, for example heat-treating topaz
to take it from a yellow to a blue colour, and this is standard practice in the
jewellery world.
Caring for
your jewellery is very important too – why spend hundreds on a piece only to
leave it tarnished, tangled or grimy?
This is where knowing your metals and gemstones come in, because there
are different methods and chemicals recommended for different metals and
stones. There are hundreds of hacks
online for cleaning jewellery using anything from ketchup to toothpaste. While these might seem to work, following
these tips is a mistake; they are overly harsh for most materials and could
cause serious damage to some metals and stones like emeralds, opals and
pearls. Your best bet is to have your
most treasured pieces cleaned professionally (as the jeweller will also check
the settings at the same time and can fix any damage), but if you have your
heart set on a DIY job then make sure you seek advice on the right chemicals
and methods to use.
Another
common mistake is improper storage of jewellery. It's all too easy to end up with a tangled
pile of jewellery in a scatter tray but this can cause a lot of accidental
damage as pieces rub up against each other.
For valuable earrings it is best to keep them in a box in a soft backing
material that will stop them rolling around.
Necklaces should be fastened when they are removed to stop tangles
forming. A necklace tree can help keep
your chains separate, but drinking straws can also be used to keep chains apart
– thread the chain through the straw and fasten it to keep the pendant on, and
the chain tangle-free. Ideally, your
jewellery will be kept in a closed box to protect it from tarnishing and
getting dusty.
With these
common mistakes in mind we hope that you will purchase Amore Argento jewellery
with the peace of mind that comes from our rigorous standards, and that you'll
clean and store your jewellery with love and attention.
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