Men’s jewelry has never been so popular. There are so many styles to choose from today, especially when considering the offers available in previous years. Now is one of the best times to start building your jewelry collection, or to help the man in your life build his collection.
To build your jewelry collection, think about what you like. Your tastes are more important than the trends. Your jewelry collection is a reflection of you.
Look for quality pieces that will last. That doesn’t mean they have to be made of platinum or 24k Gold. Many pieces are made of long-lasting materials and are more affordable than 24k gold. Sterling silver is a great long-lasting option, but if you are looking for that golden shine keep reading.
Two kinds of real gold applications can provide you with the look of solid gold, and last for a long time, all at a fraction of the price.
Gold vermeil and gold-filled jewelry items are a great way to start building your jewelry collection. These pieces are expressions of your personality and investments, so choose wisely.
Gold vermeil and gold-filled are similar but not the same. Both are made by applying a thick layer of gold over a Sterling Silver core. Both applications last longer than gold-plated, and you never know what gold plate is covering as it can be applied over copper or other base metals.
What makes a vermeil piece is the thickness of the gold layer: the gold must be 2.5 to 3 microns thick.
A gold-filled piece also has a thick layer of gold applied over a silver core. Instead of measuring the thickness of the gold layer, a weight ratio of gold to silver indicates the amount of gold present.
Both vermeil and gold-filled pieces are long-lasting items you can feel confident about adding to your jewelry collection.
Eventually, the layers of gold will wear down, but you can prolong the life of your jewelry by taking good care of it. Here are some Do’s and Don’t’s.
- Don’t wear your jewelry if you are working up a sweat.
- Don’t wear your jewelry if you are going swimming.
- Don’t wear your jewelry if you are using heavy machinery.
- Do clean your jewelry if it gets dirty. Use your fingers to lather with warm water and gentle soap. Dry well before stowing.
- Do store your jewelry pieces in felt, leather, or plastic boxes or bags.
- Do store jewelry pieces separately so they do not damage each other.
Most importantly, enjoy building your collection and get the pieces that resonate with you. It’s good to take pride in your jewelry collection. You deserve it.
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