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JEWELRY WARDROBE & CARE
We offer an extensive selection of 14k discount gold jewelry, gold chain, necklaces, 14k gold bracelets, 14 karat gold earrings, 14k gold bangles, religious medals, zodiac pendants, diamond tennis bracelets, and other 14 karat gold jewelry.

WARDROBE BUILDING

BUILDING A JEWELRY WARDROBE.  Taking a long-term view with regards to building a jewelry wardrobe will produce far superior results and save the purchaser a great deal of money.  The following guidelines should prove most helpful:

1.  Develop a Plan and Stick to it.  By developing a plan you will always know what you want both generally and specifically.  A well-developed plan will also bring a sense of order and timing to your jewelry expenditures, and help keep you on budget.

2.  Avoid Buying On Impulse.  Unless the item being considered is part of your jewelry wardrobe plan, don't buy it, regardless of how good a deal it may seem to be at the moment.

3.  Only Buy Items You Truly Like.  The most expensive jewelry items are those you buy, wear once, and which remain in your jewelry case forever after.  If you are not really excited about an item or it doesn't fit into your plan, don't buy it regardless of the price or the emotional occasion (i.e. seashore vacations).

4.  Buy Quality Items.  Even if your budget dictates that you must buy costume jewelry, buy high quality well-made costume jewelry.  Don't fall into the trap of buying inexpensive, low grade items, as they often prove to be far more expensive through repair and replacement in the long run (i.e. poorly made diamond tennis bracelets with low quality promotional diamonds, gold filled chain necklaces, or hollow link chains are good examples).  As a good general rule, quality is to be preferred over size, especially when buying diamonds.
5.  Beware of Design characteristics.  Some very attractive and popular styles are by their very nature fragile in design and should only be added to your jewelry wardrobe after the more durable basics.  Gold jewelry items such as Byzantine, San Marco, Panther, etc. are more suitable for special occasion wear (e.g. 15-20 times per year) and wearing them every day will significantly reduce their useful life.  While other styles (e.g. Figaro, Curb, and Mariner chains, etc.) may be worn every day for many years without incurring costly repairs.

Recommended Wardrobe Building Chart

CARE AND CLEANING

CARE AND CLEANING OF JEWELRY.  The following simple guidelines will help you maximize the longevity and appearance of your jewelry:

1.  Chlorine.  Chlorine is your gold and silver jewelry's worst enemy.  These jewelry items should not be worn while swimming in chlorinated pools, sitting in Jacuzzis, or while showering in water treated with chlorine.

2.  Storage.  All jewelry items should be stored in their original gift boxes or in specific, padded sections of a jewelry box to which they are returned every time after being worn.  To prevent denting and scratching, jewelry items should never be stored loosely together or be allowed to come into contact with each other.  Gold and silver chains should be hung vertically to prevent kinking and other damage (i.e. especially herringbone necklaces).

3.  Damage & Breakage.  To prevent excessive wear, damage, or breakage, do not wear jewelry items while doing manual labor, yard work, or housework; using hand tools, or engaging in sports activities.
4.  Putting On Jewelry.  To protect your jewelry from damage, discoloration, or residue buildup, hair spray or perfumes should be applied prior to putting on your jewelry.  Ideally, jewelry pieces should always be the last apparel items that you put on.

5.  Removing Jewelry.  For difficult to remove items, do not force rings over your knuckles, use a mild lubricant (hand lotion) or wait until your hands are less swollen (usually in the morning), as even the best rings can be bent or misshapened.  To prevent loss, never remove jewelry items in public restrooms, or near sinks or toilets when washing your hands or showering.  Again, jewelry pieces should always be the last apparel items to be put on and the first to be removed. They should always be placed into their proper storage containers immediately and should never be left unprotected on kitchen counters, book shelves, end tables, etc.
6.  Cleaning.  Nearly all gold jewelry items can be effectively cleaned with a mild bath soap and warm water using a soft toothbrush, and by rinsing in warm water, however, some gemstones should not be cleaned in this manner (check with your local jeweler).  Commercial cleaners should only be used if they are made specifically for cleaning jewelry and the instructions should be closely followed.  The use of a chemically treated cleaning cloth is recommended for polishing gold jewelry once it has dried after being washed and rinsed.  However, common chemical cleaners (i.e. silver polish, Brasso, etc.) should never be used on jewelry items.  Other abrasive cleaners (e.g. scouring powders) or wire brushes should never be used.  And mechanical burnishers should never be used for cleaning jewelry items or sterling silver unless they are specifically designed for doing so.  If you are unable to effectively clean a jewelry item using mild bath soap, a soft toothbrush, or an appropriate cleaning product, bring the item to a qualified jeweler to be professionally cleaned.  The use of ultrasonic cleaners can be very effective, however, their use is not suitable for all jewelry items (i.e. pearls).  Always check with a qualified professional jeweler before cleaning your jewelry, and never exceed the recommended concentration levels for any cleaning agent, as less is almost always better than more.  To view recommended cleaning materials Click Here.
7.  Traveling and Vacations.  A small padded jewelry case especially designed for traveling will enable the wearer to maintain good jewelry handling discipline while traveling or on vacation, and prevent possible loss or damage to their jewelry.  For jewelry items often fall victim to the wearer's unfamiliar surroundings or change in routine, and much of this can be prevented by the use of a small jewelry case, as recommended.  To view jewelry case selection Click Here.

8.  Examine Jewelry for Wear or Damage.  Clasps should be checked each time jewelry items are worn to ensure that they are closing properly and are secure.  Jewelry items should also be carefully examined all together at one time for wear (e.g. thin links or jump rings) and damage (e.g. loose prongs) at least every six months.  Jewelry items worn every day should be examined every three months.  Designer or fancy gold bracelet items should be taken to a qualified jeweler for closer scrutiny.  Precious or semi-precious stone jewelry should also be examined for bent prongs and loose stones by a professional jeweler at least annually.

9.  Professional Repolishing.  The appearance of many jewelty items (e.g. Curb, Figaro, Mariner chains and high polished bangle bracelets) can be significantly improved by having a qualified jeweler clean and repolish the item every couple of years depending on how frequently the item is worn.  This process will remove minor scratches and normally restore the item to its original luster.

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For more information:
The Discount Gold Exchange
26 North Avenue
Pleasant Valley, NY 12569 US
Email: help@discountgoldexchange.com
(845) 527-7980
(800) 634-0930

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