To the un-trained eye, much of the handmade jewelry designed for sale on the internet, in boutiques and at craft fairs may turn to be essentially the same. However, this is simply not the case. Jewelry designers have many choices when creating their pieces. It is very important to be aware of the various materials that could be used and how they compare; both in quality and in price.
Metals
The most frequent metals found in handmade jewelry are some type of silver or gold. Most jewelry buyers, however, are unaware of the differences between materials that bear similar names.
Fine Silver
Fine silver could be the purest kind of silver that's commonly utilized in jewelry. It's 99% pure silver. As well as being more expensive, fine silver is softer than sterling, and will not tarnish.
Sterling Silver
Sterling silver is the most common kind of silver utilized in handmade jewelry in the United States. Sterling silver is 92.5% silver, the others is a combination of other metals including nickel and copper. This makes sterling cheaper, but inaddition it makes the jewelry more likely to tarnish.
Silver Plate
Silver plate is a very, very thin layer of silver over a platform metal, commonly brass. Over time, the silver plating will wear off and reveal the duller metal below.
Karat Gold
It's this that many people think of as gold. The higher the karat number, the purer and more valuable the gold. Common variations are 10, 14, 18, 22 and 24 karat gold. Whilst the karat number increases, so does the bright yellow color of the gold and the softness. Gold can also be for sale in white and rose colors.
Vermeil
This material is clearly gold-plated sterling silver. Lots of people prefer vermeil since it is a cheaper option than pure gold, but is still entirely made of precious metal. Most vermeil is plated with high-karat gold, and has a bright yellow color.
Gold Filled
Gold filled beads, wire and chain are made through the use of a level of gold to a platform metal core. It's also known as rolled gold. Unlike plating, this layer is quite thick and is extremely unlikely to rub off in the life of the jewelry. It's an affordable and durable alternative to karat gold. Most high quality gold filled jewelry components are made with 14 karat gold.
Gold Plate
Like silver plate, gold plate is produced by covering a platform metal with an extremely thin layer of real gold. The layer of gold probably will rub of, generally within many years of purchase, depending on what usually the piece is worn, and what it is subjected to. While plating offers a very affordable choice for trendy jewelry, it is not the ideal choice for jewelry that's intended to be worn often, or to become a family heirloom.
Gemstones
There are numerous kinds of natural, synthetic, and enhanced gemstones offered to jewelry designers today. Although many people don't know in regards to the vast range of possibilities you will find when buying gemstones, it is vital to be aware of the differences when buying handcrafted jewelry.
Dyeing gemstones is certainly not a negative thing. It brings life to otherwise dull materials. Know that jewelry created using dyed stones may bleed color when it gets wet. This may be avoided if the designer rinses the beads before with them in finished pieces.
Many quartzes, including garnet, amethyst and rose quartz are commonly dyed to improve their natural color. Howlite and malaysian jade (not really jade) may also be often dyed in very bright hues of purples, pinks and blues.
Chalcedony is another stone that's often dyed into brighter shades. It is very important to be aware that some dyed chalcedony will fade over time. In order to avoid fading, don't store your chalcedony jewelry in direct sunlight.
Freshwater pearls are commonly dyed as well, but don't appear to have a problem with fading or bleeding their color.
Enhancing gemstones is the method of treating them either with chemicals, heat or pressure to increase their value or durability. Smoky quartz is commonly enhanced to enhance its color. Turquoise is frequently stabilized, or impregnated with a resin substance to produce it harder and less absorbent of water and oils which may damage it.
This is where it's most important to learn just what you're buying. Many natural gemstones have very convincing synthetic counterparts. Some typically common ones are turquoise, jade, coral, and various types of quartz.
The synthetic quartzes, actually made of glass, are now actually found in a rainbow of colors and a wide selection of names. When these synthetic quartzes were first introduced to the United States by overseas manufacturers, they fooled some very experienced bead retailers and jewelry designers. Common kinds of synthetic quartz are tanzanite quartz, amethyst quartz, lilac quartz, and "fruity" quartzes. These include strawberry, cherry, blueberry and pineapple.
Synthetic gemstone beads could be gorgeous and affordable additions to a designer's palette. Some very lovely variations include opalite and goldstone.
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