How To Keep Vintage Style Pendants California Looking Their Best

By Angela King


If you love vintage jewelry and have been collecting pieces you know that some of them can be quite delicate. Learning how to properly care for vintage style pendants California is important because it can help keep your pieces in top condition. Here are some tips and tricks that you can use to store and care for your pieces properly.

The age of a piece will definitely affect how careful you will need to be. If you have a vintage piece that is very fragile you will need to be a bit more careful than if you have a reproduction piece that is more sturdily made. If you look over a piece and notice any areas look worn or damaged, make sure that you have a pendant checked over before it breaks.

One thing that appeals to many people about vintage pendants is the stories that may lie behind each piece. Who were former owners? Was the piece designed or made for a significant event? Learning about the history that a pendant has can help you find out what it is made out of and what you may need to do to care for it properly.

Some metals may discolor if they are not cared for properly. For example, if you have a piece that is made out of silver you will want to store it in a case or jewelry box that is lined with anti-tarnish materials. There is nothing worse than trying to clean and remove tarnish from a silver piece especially if there is a lot of delicate wire work. White gold that is worn frequently can also discolor and may need to be dipped to bring it back to its former glory.

While you may be concentrating on the metal that a pendant is made from, you also need to make sure that any stones are securely fastened to their pendants. Checking claws to make sure that they are tight can help you from losing any. Some pieces may have authentic precious stones in them while others may have cut glass crystals. If you have pieces that feature cut glass stones, it may be difficult to match a stone if you need to replace it.

Part of storing pieces properly is keeping them separated. You want to make sure that they are not rubbing against one another as this can cause scratches, dents or other unwanted marks. Some pendants are made from very soft metal and this means they are much more likely to be damaged.

If you are not sure whether your pieces are vintage or how to look after them you will want to make sure that you know where to go to have them appraised. Many jewelry stores will be able to look at your pendants and tell what they are made out of. Many pieces will have hallmarks on them that will tell an expert who designed the pieces, what they are made of and when they were made. All of this is good information to have.

If you want to start your collection there are many places you can look. Jewelry stores that specialize in estate pieces may be a great first step for authentic vintage jewelry. You can also look on websites, in antique stores or at flea markets in order to find options that suit your style and your budget. Keep in mind that you can always expand your collection over time and at a rate that your finances will allow.




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