12 Prime Jewelry Errors (that we want you’d cease making)
As an Australian jeweller, I suspect you are making all kinds of errors together with your jewelry that I actually want you were not.
It might be right down to lack of time or dangerous habits, however almost certainly it is since you merely haven’t got sufficient data to grasp what the issues could be and how one can avoid them.
However do not panic: I am right here that can assist you appropriate your errors by itemizing my prime 12 jewelry errors and tips on how to keep away from them – in your personal sake. They will enable you to save lots of time, cash and preserve your jewelry (and your self) wanting nice. What’s to not love about that?
Let’s dive in …
1. Not understanding the supplies used to make jewelry
When looking for jewelry it is best to at all times be clear on what the items are created from. If the vendor does not specify the supplies then it is seemingly the designs usually are not created from silver, gold, rose gold or different valuable metals. In the event you’re unclear, then it is best to at all times ask before you purchase, particularly for increased priced gadgets.
Simply because a chunk of jewelry is gold or silver in color doesn’t suggest it is created from these particular metals. Particularly if a chunk of jewelry provides the looks of being gold however it’s cheap, then it is nearly definitely not gold in any respect: at greatest it will likely be very thinly plated. Gold is a really costly metallic and there’s no such factor as low-cost gold jewelry. Discover out extra about gold and several types of gold utilized in jewelry.
Base metallic jewelry, resembling brass or nickel, is unlikely to put on effectively over time and will flip your pores and skin black or inexperienced. It might even trigger allergic reactions or worse – and that is particularly the case with nickel, which we strongly suggest you keep away from carrying. Thinly plated jewelry could pretty rapidly put on via to the bottom metallic beneath.
Extra helpful jewelry articles:
You also needs to know what any gems are: whether or not they’re lab grown or pure, or whether or not they’re solely faux. Any of those choices are effective in the appropriate circumstances, however it pays to pay attention to what you are spending your hard-earned cash on.
In fact low value costume jewelry has its place and if you happen to’re joyful for a design to be a comparatively brief lived vogue piece and your pores and skin will tolerate the supplies, then that is completely okay.
Simply consider: data is energy. Learn our helpful articles to get the lowdown on gold and sterling silver so that you higher perceive what the deal is with these valuable metals, together with why they’re so worthwhile and helpful in jewelry. Additionally take a look at our jewelry glossary, which has over 100 definitions for jewelry phrases: it can completely get you up to the mark with jewelry jargon while you’re purchasing.
2. Sporting the identical jewelry day-after-day
Even I understand how simple it’s to slide into the behavior of carrying the identical items day in, time out and nearly by no means taking them off. However it’s behavior to interrupt for a few causes.
Firstly, your on a regular basis jewelry will get dirty in locations you possibly can’t see or in ways in which you do not essentially discover as a result of the modifications happen slowly. That is particularly the case for stud earrings the place half them is hidden behind your ear lobe, gathering chemical substances from washing your hair and doubtlessly resulting in infections.
You need to take off your on a regular basis items usually to provide them a clear with some heat soapy water and a comfortable bristled brush. I like to recommend doing this each 1-2 weeks. See under for extra tips on cleansing your jewelry.
Secondly, you may be boring and no person needs that! So have a take into consideration the jewelry you’ve gotten in your assortment and the way you should utilize extra of it regularly.
If you do not have a lot jewelry or your assortment has some gaps in it, then give you a plan so as to add extra items over time (together with dropping large hints to family members on the proper instances of 12 months, in fact).
3. Not being inventive with jewelry and equipment
Associated to tip 2: do not be boring!
When the seasons change is a superb time to do some experimenting in entrance of a mirror with totally different outfits and equipment, particularly together with jewelry. Be as inventive as you possibly can with combos and make notes of what works for you so you may bear in mind to combine it up as you are getting dressed for work or totally different events.
Additionally make word of any sorts of items you would like you needed to lengthen your wardrobe additional. Making the appropriate funding in jewelry and equipment can add an excessive amount of creativity and flexibility to your wardrobe for years to return.
You need to take a look at our 15 prime jewelry type suggestions for extra recommendation on profiting from your jewelry assortment whereas not shedding your self within the course of.
4. Not cleansing your jewelry
As alluded to above, it is a large one. So many individuals fail to scrub their jewelry usually, if in any respect. It may be simple to overlook the construct up of common grime and tarnish, however – imagine me – it will likely be there and it will likely be noticeable to others.
You put on jewelry towards your pores and skin and clothes for prolonged intervals whereas endeavor all kinds of actions, so in fact it can want cleansing infrequently, simply as your clothes does.
I like to recommend scheduling a radical clear of your jewelry a minimum of twice a 12 months (or extra usually relying on the way you put on and retailer your items and if you happen to stay in a moist location). The transition into hotter and cooler months of the 12 months is a superb time to do it. This will contain something from a fast wash with a delicate cleaning soap via to extra advanced tarnish and dirt elimination, relying on the items.
It pays to teach your self about tips on how to clear your jewelry safely and appropriately. In the event you’re in a rush take a look at our 10 tricks to rapidly clear jewelry as a place to begin, however it is best to positively delve deeper into our complete jewelry cleansing & care information.
Do not forget so as to add cleansing your jewelry as a recurring activity in your diary.
5. Utilizing dangerous jewelry cleansing strategies
Whereas it is higher to make an effort to scrub your jewelry than to to not do it in any respect, not all cleansing strategies are created equal and a few could completely injury your valuable items. So beware!
Cleansing your valuable silver or gold jewelry with toothpaste is admittedly not a good suggestion. It is abrasive and it’ll deplete the metallic over time, making heirloom items much less and fewer worthwhile. It might additionally terminally injury finishes. Similar goes for utilizing baking or bicarb soda paste which is rubbed towards the metallic to scrub it: simply do not do it.
That is particularly a really dangerous concept in terms of alternate options to stable gold, resembling gold vermeil, gold stuffed or gold plated. You might be prone to take away the valuable gold from the floor of your jewelry and it could be tough or not possible to restore. Study extra about several types of gold that can assist you perceive why.
Utilizing any type of alcohol with gems is prone to even be a nasty concept. Actually my favorite tip is to make use of alcohol for ingesting functions solely, ought to that be your type of factor! That is particularly necessary for extra porous gems like pearls, opals, turquoise and lapis lazuli.
I like to recommend that you just keep away from harsh chemical substances coming into contact together with your jewelry altogether, except these chemical substances are particularly really helpful by professionals for cleansing the kind of jewelry you’ve gotten. Learn the care and cleansing articles linked to in tip 4 for recommendation.
6. Sporting your jewelry whereas swimming or showering
There a number of causes to keep away from carrying your jewelry in water.
Firstly, it may be simple to lose your items – particularly when showering. If the thought of your valuable gold ring slipping off and happening the drain terrifies you, then it is actually not a good suggestion to take the danger. As a substitute, discover a protected place to place your jewelry when you’re showering and make it a routine.
Additionally you may discover that your earrings, necklaces and gemstone rings are prone to get gummed up by the residue from shampoos, conditioners and soaps over time. In the event you do preserve some items on while you bathe or bathe, then ensure you take them off each few weeks to provide them clear: stud earrings particularly, as outlined above.
Particularly, it is best to keep away from getting pearls and opals moist repeatedly, as long run publicity to water and different chemical substances could completely injury and discolour these stones.
Lastly, if you happen to’re going for a swim, I like to recommend you permit your jewels safely at residence.
Swimming in swimming pools or the ocean whereas carrying valuable metallic jewelry isn’t really helpful. Chlorine utilized in swimming pools or jacuzzis can discolour silver and lots of gems – and it may even doubtlessly weaken gold. As for salt water, it may boring diamonds and erode soldered elements in metallic jewelry. And no person needs that.
7. Not storing your jewelry appropriately
Keep away from storing your jewelry in a spot the place humidity is a matter, particularly loos. Sterling silver jewelry specifically will tarnish quicker in humid locations, which means extra time you may have to spend cleansing it.
You also needs to retailer your valuable jewelry away from free flowing air. Partially it can merely get dusty and dirty, however sterling silver and different metals will tarnish lots quicker when left unworn within the open air.
Additionally bear in mind that metallic jewelry which will get jumbled up and may simply rub towards different metallic, gems or onerous surfaces will get broken. You wish to keep away from scratching and scuffing silver and gold particularly, but in addition softer gems.
I like to recommend storing your jewelry in a devoted jewelry field, jewelry roll and even preserve every bit (or pair) in its personal small padded field. This may restrict the publicity to flowing air and humidity. Relying in your storage arrange it may additionally assist to stop scratching and tangling. The reward containers which include our on-line jewelry orders will likely be excellent.
In the event you favor to show your jewelry on a necklace tree or related, then be ready to scrub it far more usually – and remember to mud it too!
8. Not clasping necklaces after taking them off
Associated to 7: it is best to at all times clasp your necklaces while you take them off. This may assist to keep away from tangled chains which could be very tough to drag aside. As a jeweller, I spend plenty of time untangling lengths of chain and I can guarantee you that it is not plenty of enjoyable.
In the event you’re nonetheless having hassle with tangles, then take a look at utilizing straws or different tubing that can assist you out. You’ll be able to put one finish of the necklace via the straw earlier than clasping it, which can make tangles just about not possible for many necklaces.
9. Not contemplating the ethics behind the jewelry you purchase
This tip is one I am particularly keen about as jewelry is usually a little bit of an moral minefield (and we genuinely work onerous to be as moral and eco-friendly as potential).
Listed below are some points I like to recommend you think about when purchasing:
- Does the jewelry enterprise use recycled valuable metals the place potential? Does it recycle its personal metals?
- Are gems ethically sourced – particularly diamonds and different excessive worth stones, which have the potential to come from warfare zones?
- Are lab grown or simulated gems used when appropriate? These are typically extra moral and sustainable than mined stones whereas nonetheless being top quality.
- Does the vendor design and make their very own jewelry items? If not, the place are the items made and are working situations moral?
- Is the vendor up entrance about the kind of supplies used of their designs?
- Are the costs acceptable? Too low-cost means nearly definitely signifies that somebody is being ripped off someplace alongside the road (and it may even be you!).
- Take a look at our article on tips on how to really help impartial designers and why it is nice to buy small, store native and handmade.
10. Shopping for jewelry from low-cost retail chain shops
I am not naming any names, however you already know the sorts of outlets I am speaking about: they’re the large jewelry chain shops you see in lots of purchasing malls and on-line. They promise a world of sentimental sparkles for not some huge cash.
Generally their items are sourced from individuals working in very poor situations and infrequently the workmanship is shoddy – to the purpose of their jewelry not being repairable if and when one thing goes fallacious.
In the event you’re searching for excessive finish ‘conventional’ jewelry, particularly if it is supposed to be a valuable sentimental piece, then discover a smaller scale manufacturing jeweller with fame. It is effectively well worth the funding for this type of jewelry.
In the event you’re searching for extra modern, artisan type jewelry then discover impartial designers you want (hopefully together with Simone Walsh Jewelry) and patronise them as a lot as you possibly can to assist them keep afloat.
These approaches to buying jewelry will lead to a significantly better funding for you. You may additionally profit from the texture good issue by purchasing from companies you can really really feel comfy supporting and serving to to flourish.
11. Not selecting a necklace to match your neckline
As a substitute of at all times throwing in your favorite necklace or pendant with nearly each outfit, have a take into consideration the different sorts and lengths of necklace that can go effectively with several types of necklines. You may discover it can add much more curiosity and elegance to your wardrobe.
It is a good suggestion to have an array of necklace lengths out there in your jewelry assortment. You also needs to decide up necklace extenders so you possibly can simply range the lengths of the necklaces and pendants you like to put on.
Fortunately now we have a necklace lengths and elegance information with a helpful chart that can assist you work all of it out. You are welcome!
12. Failing to find out your ring measurement earlier than purchasing
Not figuring out your ring measurement appropriately will solely result in frustration, delays and probably further prices while you purchase rings: it is best averted. Take the time to get your ring measurement proper earlier than purchasing and to know what the problems are.
Take a look at our ring measurement measuring information article, together with our ring measurement conversion chart for many suggestions. An important tip is to spend money on a hoop sizer earlier than you buy – and even go to a jeweller in individual to get an correct measurement.
