There is one item that women and the rest of the public find fashionable regardless of what the recent craze or fad is. Women across history have worn it to enhance their natural beauty, or as a vital complement to what they are wearing. Through the centuries, women have appreciated the capabilities of gold jewelry in turning heads, or in expressing a certain status.
A person's love for jewelry is apparent now as it was a thousand years ago. Jewelry has been traded for and bought countless times in the past, and as mentioned, it has never gone out of style. The actual process of purchasing jewelry is a little bit more confusing that buying regular items. People have the tendency of purchasing jewelry without going beyond knowing the fact that it would look good on them when they buy it. It does pay off to know a little bit more about jewelry.
You may instantly relate gold to jewelry. Although it is used for many other purposes, it is almost always associated to jewelry. In this industry, gold is actually defined as pure, 24 karat gold. In this pure form, gold is soft and delicate. Usually, jewelers would integrate other precious metals into 24 karat gold to make the final product a more durable piece of jewelry.
The integration of other metals into 24 karat gold has some visually appealing effects as well. Jewelers add nickel into pure gold to make white gold. They add a small amount of copper into pure gold too, and this results in a more feminine, pink tint. Adding predetermined amounts of silver can also give gold a greenish tint.
The rule there is, if a piece of jewelry has a lower karat quality, it has higher durability since it is harder. Check the color to have an idea of what was mixed into the gold. You can ask a vendor regarding the karat quality of his or her wares, but if you have a chance, try looking for any markings regarding this property. Many prominent jewelry companies would place a products karat quality on it. You should see a trademark accompanying the karat quality; if you don't, you might want to consider looking for another piece of jewelry.
Do not confuse gold jewelry with gold-plated jewelry. As the name implies, this usually composes of a metal of lesser value plated or covered with gold through mechanical bonding or through electroplating. Genuine gold jewelry should include an indication or an accompanying marking of its karat quality.
It is normal for people to wear gold-plated jewelry occasionally, leaving the higher-priced pieces for special events. This is because gold plated jewelry is lighter than their purer counterparts. However, if you plan on buying a piece of gold-plated jewelry, remember that the layer of gold will eventually wear off sooner or later, depending on the quality and thickness of the gold plate. Since gold is held with such high regard, one should know these things before making a gold jewelry purchase.
1. Don't wear your golden jewelry 24/7
The most effective way to preserve gold jewelry is to limit its exposure to the daily elements. For example, many personal care products can be harmful to gold jewelry. These include lotion, make-up, perfume, shaving cream, and hairspray. These products can form a dull film that covers the gold and it is hard to remove. So, to prevent this remove your gold jewelry prior to grooming.
2. Always avoid chlorine when wearing your jewelry
Never clean your gold jewelry with chlorine bleach. Bleach ruins gold by oxidizing the metal and turning it black. To be on the safe side, you should remove gold jewelry before doing any household chores. Many common household cleaners have bleach and other chemicals that may adversely affect gold jewelry. In addition, don't swim or go in a hot tub wearing gold because prolonged exposure to chlorine in a swimming pool can turn it black.
3. Clean gold jewelry properly
Light tarnish on gold can be removed by using soapy water and a soft bristle brush. A soft toothbrush and some dish washing liquid also work well. Here is how to do it: Dip the toothbrush in the water and get the bristles into all of the crevices. Then rinse the piece in warm water until the water runs clear. After gentle scrubbing, buff the piece dry with a soft, lint-free cloth to make it shine. You can also use a specially treated cloth or other cleaning jewelry cleaning products.
If your gold jewelry does not contain colored gemstones you can clean it with an ultrasonic cleaning machine. Finally, if you have a problem with heavy tarnish, please consult a jeweler.
4. Store gold jewelry properly
Dry your gold jewelry before putting it away for storage. Moisture can weaken springs and clasps, increasing likelihood of damage. It is also important to provide enough storage space. Keep diamond jewelry separate because it can easily scratch gold. Most jewelry boxes have separate compartments to keep all your jewelry separate however, if you don't have a jewelry box with separators, wrap each piece in tissue paper and keep the items in small bags or pouches.
That's it, follow these four tips and you will enjoy your gold jewelry throughout your life.
Both Puripong Koomsin & are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.