If you want your jewelry to last and to hold gems securely, pay attention to the mounting and setting. Here are some basic tips:
Jewelry Settings:
1.) Pearl jewelry should be protected from chemicals such as hair spray, nail polish remover, perfume and other toiletries or cleaning products.
2.) Determine if there’s enough metal holding the stone. Use a ten-power hand magnifier. For example, if prongs are missing, the stone is not secure.
3.) If possible, make sure the edge of the stone is flat against the seat (the groove in the metal which supports the stone). There shouldn’t be space between the prongs and the stone.
4.) Verify than you can see most of the stone. Gem shouldn’t be covered by so much metal you can hardly see them. No more than one third of the stone should be covered.
5.) For every-day prong style rings, get hand fabricated or die-struck (machine made) settings. They’re stronger than cast settings, which are more porous and brittle. Ideally, the settings will be made of platinum, because it’s stronger and wears better.
6.) Ask your jeweler to show you some examples of good quality setting so you’ll have a basis for comparison.
7.) Check jewelry for loose stone by shaking or tapping it lightly with your forefinger while holding it next to your ear. If you hear the stones rattle or click, there’s a problem.
8.) Make sure pearls are secured to jewelry with a metal post and not just glued to the mounting. Otherwise, they can easily be knocked out of the mounting. Ideally, the post should screw into the pearl even if the glue fails, the screw will still hold the pearl securely.
Jewelry Mountings:
1.) Use a chamois cloth to clean gold jewelry. A chamois cloth is a gentle, safe material for returning the luster to your jewelry. Soap and Water: A mild soap and water resolution used with a squashy brush is successful for many home jewelry care needs. Even the gentle chemicals of profitable jewelry cleaning products may harm certain gems. Even though soap and water is the finest option for most gems and jewelry, do not use soap and water with amber, coral, emerald, jade, kunzite, lapis lazuli, opal, or turquoise.
2.) Select sturdy mountings for everyday rings and bracelets.
Rings that are wire thin and bracelets that can bend and dent do not last long. Platinum mountings can normally be thinner and more delicate than those made of gold. This is because platinum is stronger and more dense than most gold alloys.
3.) Avoid hollow rings and chains. They provide a big look at a low price, but they’re hard to repair and they’re less durable than solid jewelry. Rings, bracelets, and chains need to be more durable than earrings, brooches and pendants, which are not subjected to as much wear and tear.
4.) Check to see if the piece is well-finished on the back and underneath. If it is, chances are its well constructed. If it’s rough, or has excess solder, holes and an illegible fineness stamp, this suggests the piece was done quickly without much care. It’s helpful to use a hand magnifier when checking a jewelry piece.
5.) Make sure the clasp works if there is one. It may be defective or hard to open. Ask the salesperson to show you how to open and close it. Then try it twice yourself. For bracelets, see if you can open and close them with one hand.
6.) Ask if the jewelry is well crafted and find out why it is or isn’t. Jewelers that sell well made pieces often like to explain why their mountings, settings, and finishes are better than those of competitors. You can learn a lot about workmanship by listening to them. Salesperson must understand jewelry craftsmanship in order to help you select a well—made piece.
Jewelry Settings:
1.) Pearl jewelry should be protected from chemicals such as hair spray, nail polish remover, perfume and other toiletries or cleaning products.
2.) Determine if there’s enough metal holding the stone. Use a ten-power hand magnifier. For example, if prongs are missing, the stone is not secure.
3.) If possible, make sure the edge of the stone is flat against the seat (the groove in the metal which supports the stone). There shouldn’t be space between the prongs and the stone.
4.) Verify than you can see most of the stone. Gem shouldn’t be covered by so much metal you can hardly see them. No more than one third of the stone should be covered.
5.) For every-day prong style rings, get hand fabricated or die-struck (machine made) settings. They’re stronger than cast settings, which are more porous and brittle. Ideally, the settings will be made of platinum, because it’s stronger and wears better.
6.) Ask your jeweler to show you some examples of good quality setting so you’ll have a basis for comparison.
7.) Check jewelry for loose stone by shaking or tapping it lightly with your forefinger while holding it next to your ear. If you hear the stones rattle or click, there’s a problem.
8.) Make sure pearls are secured to jewelry with a metal post and not just glued to the mounting. Otherwise, they can easily be knocked out of the mounting. Ideally, the post should screw into the pearl even if the glue fails, the screw will still hold the pearl securely.
Jewelry Mountings:
1.) Use a chamois cloth to clean gold jewelry. A chamois cloth is a gentle, safe material for returning the luster to your jewelry. Soap and Water: A mild soap and water resolution used with a squashy brush is successful for many home jewelry care needs. Even the gentle chemicals of profitable jewelry cleaning products may harm certain gems. Even though soap and water is the finest option for most gems and jewelry, do not use soap and water with amber, coral, emerald, jade, kunzite, lapis lazuli, opal, or turquoise.
2.) Select sturdy mountings for everyday rings and bracelets.
Rings that are wire thin and bracelets that can bend and dent do not last long. Platinum mountings can normally be thinner and more delicate than those made of gold. This is because platinum is stronger and more dense than most gold alloys.
3.) Avoid hollow rings and chains. They provide a big look at a low price, but they’re hard to repair and they’re less durable than solid jewelry. Rings, bracelets, and chains need to be more durable than earrings, brooches and pendants, which are not subjected to as much wear and tear.
4.) Check to see if the piece is well-finished on the back and underneath. If it is, chances are its well constructed. If it’s rough, or has excess solder, holes and an illegible fineness stamp, this suggests the piece was done quickly without much care. It’s helpful to use a hand magnifier when checking a jewelry piece.
5.) Make sure the clasp works if there is one. It may be defective or hard to open. Ask the salesperson to show you how to open and close it. Then try it twice yourself. For bracelets, see if you can open and close them with one hand.
6.) Ask if the jewelry is well crafted and find out why it is or isn’t. Jewelers that sell well made pieces often like to explain why their mountings, settings, and finishes are better than those of competitors. You can learn a lot about workmanship by listening to them. Salesperson must understand jewelry craftsmanship in order to help you select a well—made piece.
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