Before our modern age, a world full of civilizations developed methods to express their own cultural, social, and personal diversity. In human history, fine jewelry has been one of the fundamental ways to make a statement.
Ancient Egyptian Pharaohs like Tutankhamon and Cleopatra, Celtic tribes, and American indigenous believed in the power of well-looking and prominent jewelry pieces. For them, wearing handcrafted and unique adornments was the best way to stand apart from the crowd and call the gods’ attention.
Today, fine jewelry is still a present form of expressing yourself, making a statement, and projecting a powerful message to everyone around you.
Making yourself from a well-cared jewelry collection is a challenging task. Maintaining each piece in pristine form requires time, energy, and knowledge.
At TrueFacet, we believe fine jewelry can and should be passed down through generations, so we have compiled a fine jewelry care guide to help you preserve every piece of your fine jewelry collection for years to come.
What Is Fine Jewelry?
The phrase “fine jewelry” describes high-quality, often hand-made items of jewelry that feature precious metals and stones. What makes fine jewelry so special is that it usually has unique artistic designs combining textures, colors, and shapes.
The common factor among fine jewelry pieces is that they are made with materials of the highest quality and craftsmanship. This can include gold, platinum, silver, diamonds, emeralds, rubies, carnelians, obsidians, and other precious stones.
Thanks to the versatility of most materials used for this purpose, we can find fine jewelry in rings, earrings, necklaces, bracelets, and more.
Not Everything That Shines Is Gold: Is Your Gold Jewelry Real?
Gold is a highly sought-after precious metal. In fact, gold was associated with strength and power in some ancient cultures. Today, gold is still a status symbol, so people still invest in high-quality gold jewelry.
Nonetheless, gold’s popularity doesn’t come without shortcomings. Fake gold-plated jewelry pieces have been around for some time, and it can be difficult to distinguish them from genuine fine jewelry.
A real jewelry piece should combine gold, silver, copper, zinc, and nickel. The gold content of a jewelry piece is determined by its number of karats (K). The higher the number, the higher quality and the more valuable the fine jewelry is.
The most common karats are 10k (41.7 percent fine gold), 14k (58.3 percent fine gold), 18k (75 percent fine gold), and 24k (99.9 percent fine gold).
There are several methods for determining the authenticity of fine jewelry items made of gold. Some of them are as follows:
- The Iodine Test
- The Magnet Test
- Scratch Test
- Float Test
What Does 925 Mean on Jewelry?
And since we are talking about jewel quality, we can’t avoid including this item in our guide: the controversial and confusing 925 hallmarks.
If you’re reading this right now, it means you find passion in jewelry that has probably made you come across the number “925” stamped on your pieces. This hallmark is frequently found in high-quality silver pieces. But what does it mean?
The number “925” in jewelry is a hallmark that indicates that the fine jewelry piece is made of sterling silver. Sterling silver is composed of 92.5 percent fine silver and 7.5 percent copper.
Silver, in its finest form, is naturally soft. Its hardness and endurance are strengthened by converting it into an alloy. Because sterling silver is dazzling and durable, you can wear it daily without fear of tarnishing.
If you wear your silver jewelry frequently, it will ultimately tarnish and require cleaning at least once a month.
What Does 585 Mean on Jewelry?
Just like 925, the “585” hallmark is also stamped on fine jewelry pieces. The difference is that this mark indicates that the fine jewelry is made from 14K gold, which contains 58.5 percent fine gold and 41.5 percent other alloys (such as silver, zinc, and nickel).
This number is also used to denote fine jewelry pieces made from 14K white gold or rose gold. These are very popular fine jewelry pieces and can be worn daily without worrying too much about tarnish or wear.
In the United States, 14k gold is the most common type of gold jewelry. It has a good balance of durability and wearability and is also more affordable than higher-karat golds such as 18K or 24K gold.
If you are looking for fine jewelry that contains 58.5 percent fine gold, look for the 585 or 14K hallmark on the jewelry piece. This will ensure you get fine jewelry with the highest quality and craftsmanship.
What Does Gold Filled Mean in Jewelry?
Gold-filled fine jewelry pieces are also increasingly popular. The term “Gold-filled” indicates that the fine jewelry piece is composed of a solid layer of gold bonded with heat and pressure to another metal, usually brass.
This type of fine jewelry is much more affordable than fine gold jewelry, but its quality and craftsmanship are comparable. Gold-filled jewelry pieces have a layer of fine gold five to ten times thicker than traditional fine gold ones.
Therefore, fine gold-filled jewelry is a great choice if you want fine jewelry with an affordable price tag. Just make sure to look for the right hallmarks, such as “GF” (gold filled) or “HGE” (heavy gold electroplate), to ensure the fine jewelry piece is of high quality.
Easy Ways to Clean Your Fine Jewelry at Home
Buying fine jewelry is only the first step on this awesome ride. But what comes next is probably the most demanding step for jewelry enthusiasts: cleaning and maintaining the finest jewelry.
Taking care of delicate jewelry pieces is a task that requires meticulous attention, practice, and patience. But with the following tips, you adapt a routine dedicated to giving love to your beloved jewelry.
Regarding the care of jewels, we firmly believe that less is more. There’s no need to resort to specialized equipment or hazardous chemicals that could compromise the final product’s quality. The best way to clean your special jewelry is with items you already have at home.
Some of the materials we suggest always include in your jewelry cleaning routine are
- A soft brush or polishing cloth
- Warm water or lukewarm water
- Mild dish soap
- Baking soda
After gathering the necessary materials for the task, it’s time to clean.
- Put some hot or warm water in a bowl and add a few drops of dish soap.
- Submerge the jewelry for a short time in the solution (make sure not to exceed 5 min).
- Then, use the toothbrush to remove the grime and residue softly.
- Use paper towels or a soft cloth to wipe down the jewelry.
- Let it air dry completely.
- When completely dry, return each piece to its jewelry box.
And as a friendly reminder: just like not cleaning your jewelry regularly, less washing can also harm the composition of the jewelry piece, so limit your cleaning to once every two weeks.
Creative Ways to Organize Fine Jewelry
After cleaning your jewelry, you should destine a specific place to lay them safely. Here are some of the easiest and most creative ways to store your collection.
Tree Branch: Tree branches are accessible and practical for jewelry storage. You can find a branch in the back of your yard, spray it with your favorite paint color, and add a base for better stability. This will work well for not-so-heavy pieces like layer necklaces.
Towel Hanger: If you want to go further, you can install a towel hanger near your boudoir and place some c-shaped hooks (similar to the ones that come with shower curtains). This will allow you to hang your accessories individually.
Clothes Hanger: This is another useful way to organize your jewelry collection. You need c-shaped thumbtacks and a wooden clothes hanger (you can find them in any hardware store). Place them in a row, then hang your pieces, and you’re ready to go!
Frames: If you want something chic and aesthetic, we suggest recurring the frame option. All you need to do is find a nice-looking wood frame that combines with the place destined to be, add some color, and add some push pins where you want your pieces.
Pastry Stand: One of our favorite ways to organize jewlery is with a colorful and patterned pastry stand. It is a simple yet elegant method that gives a victorian style tony room.
Bottles and Flower Vases: Instead of throwing away empty wine bottles, keep them for future use and turn them into the ideal jewelry holder.
Groove Card: Gather several used handkerchiefs, roll each one up, and secure the ends with glue. Find a thick base, cut it nicely, stick it on all of these rolls to make multiple grooves, and use it as a holder for all your rings. You’ll thank us later.
What Jewelry Should and Shouldn’t Be Worn in the Shower?
Even though the best advice for maintaining your jewelry is to avoid wearing it while you’re in the shower, sometimes you just can’t help it. For example, fitted fine jewelry like wedding rings, earrings, or nose studs will not slide off your ear or finger that easily.
In general, fine jewelry pieces made of gold and silver should not be exposed to water or steam. Similarly, gems or fine stones like diamonds and rubies should not be worn in the shower. Water can erode fine jewelry settings over time.
On the other hand, fine jewelry pieces made of stainless steel, titanium, or tungsten are ideal for showering. These materials are resistant to water and won’t erode over time.
So next time you hop in the shower, take a second to think if it’s fine to wear your fine jewelry.
How to Pack Fine Jewelry for Travel?
When traveling, fine jewelry should be the least of your worries. If you pack it properly, you won’t have to worry about losing or damaging it.
To avoid tangles and misplaced pieces, follow these tips:
- Categorize your jewelry by type and store it in separate boxes.
- Pack different colors together to save time and space.
- Bring various styles and shapes to mix and match with different outfits.
- Protect your pieces from scratches by being extra careful when packing them.
What Color of Fine Jewelry Should You Wear?
Regarding fine jewelry, the color of your pieces will make all the difference. When choosing fine jewelry to match an outfit, you should always consider the colors that work best with your skin tone and wardrobe pieces.
You’ll want softer colors like rose gold or silver if you have a pale complexion. For a medium or olive complexion, warm golds and yellows look great. Lastly, bolder colors like yellow and gold will stand out for darker skin tones.
As additional advice, if you like using colors for mysticism, consider wearing fine jewelry pieces with an interesting meaning. For example, wearing fine jewelry with green stones is believed to bring luck and prosperity.
Whichever fine jewelry color you decide to rock, make sure they fit your style and flatter your look. After all, fine jewelry should be an extension of who you are!
5 Questions to Ask Yourself Before Gifting Fine Jewelry
Planning on gifting fine jewelry to a loved one is one of the most thoughtful gestures you can offer. Who would want to avoid receiving fine jewelry on a special occasion?
Fine jewelry gifts will undoubtedly make the recipient feel special and unique. But before you go ahead and purchase fine jewelry for someone else, you need to ensure some basic criteria.
Here are five questions to ask yourself before gifting fine jewelry:
- Does this person wear jewelry? If you notice the person doesn’t use jewelry that much, it might be a sign for considering other gift options.
- Do you know their ring size? Knowing the appropriate size is essential if it’s a piece of exquisite jewelry that will be worn on the finger.
- Are their ears pierced? If you plan to give fine jewelry earrings, ensure the person has pierced ears.
- Do they prefer gold or silver? Pay attention to the fine jewelry they usually wear and stick with those colors.
- Is the Gift Intended for a Special Occasion? Depending on the occasion, you should select fine jewelry pieces appropriate for the situation.
Answering these questions will help you narrow your fine jewelry search and choose the perfect item to gift.
Where Can You Buy the Finest Jewelry?
Fine jewelry is rare, valuable, and a great investment. Hence, when buying fine jewelry pieces, it’s important to ensure you are purchasing from a reliable source.
The best way to buy fine jewelry is from a trusted fine jewelry store. These stores should have a knowledgeable staff with extensive fine jewelry experience who can help you make an informed decision.
Trustworthy fine jewelry stores should also have relevant certifications and guarantees. And most importantly, they should offer fine jewelry pieces with good craftsmanship and exceptional quality.
Regarding the best ways to buy jewels, we suggest sticking to the following:
- Online shopping
- In-store shopping
buying fine jewelry
And, of course, we must highlight our buying process as the perfect resource for fine jewelry shoppers. We count on safe online payment methods, special offers, and discounts. Plus, we can help you customize fine jewelry pieces with your desired details to make them extra special!
Now It’s Time to Put This Guide Into Practice
Now that you’ve read this fine jewelry care guide, it’s time to take action! You’re now capable of buying fine jewelry, caring for fine jewelry pieces, and gifting fine jewelry with confidence.
One last tip: fine jewelry should be an investment that will last you for a lifetime. Therefore, choose fine jewelry pieces wisely and buy from reliable sources.
And if you ever need fine jewelry pieces to add to your collection, you can always rely on us! Our fine jewelry selection is second-to-none, with exquisite details that will make you feel special.
Place your order and shine through with our collections, as seen in E! News, Vogue, and Forbes.