Jewelry has always been an important part of cultural expression. Today, it has become an industry and everything is done to create pieces that reflect the personality of the customer. Start with our tips, and find jewelry you will treasure and love to wear.

Avoid using harmful substances like bleach, ammonia, acetone, turpentine and the like to clean them. This will result in damage to both the stones and the metal of the piece.

Always ask the jeweler about an insurance policy before buying a new piece of jewelry. This is so that if something happens to your piece, you can return it to have it replaced or repaired. In some cases, insurance policies will cover lost, misplaced or stolen pieces.

Keep your jewelry pieces looking beautiful by protecting them from tarnish. Remove your jewelry if you plan on spending time in or near water. Exposure can result in tarnishing, rusting or dulling of different metals. Clear nail polish can be used to protect your jewelry if you apply a very thin coat of it on your pieces.

Wear the jewelry around for a day or so to be sure that it fits right and is comfortable. You can also make a better estimate of the jewelry’s durability after trying it out.

When you buy a piece of jewelry, know what your plans for it are. There is no point in filling your jewelery box with things you cannot wear. Try to match the jewelry that you purchase with your style of clothing.

Avoid both steam and dry saunas. The amount of moisture and heat can damage the pieces.

Look at a lot of different pieces before settling on a diamond jewelry purchase. Each diamond is unique with its own individual flaws. Once you see some of the flaws in person, they may become less important. In addition, different stores will price slightly different. The price is often dependent on the imperfections. If you are working on a budget, shop around to find a diamond that suits both your preferences and your wallet.

When you want to buy something nice for someone, think about getting them a jewelery set. It is often possible to get a good deal on jewelry sets at a jewelry store. Eventually you can split the set up and give someone just one piece of jewelry when a holiday comes around. This is a fabulous way to always have a gift that someone will love.

All bracelets and necklaces must have a good, durable clasp or closure. You risk losing an expensive or sentimental chain or gemstone pendant if the clasp is too loose. Valuable bracelets and necklaces should be secured with a safety clasp. Actually, some people opt for an additional clasp on more expensive pieces.

Take your jewelry off before you go swimming. The chlorine in a pool can tarnish or corrode jewelry, decreasing its value. In the same way, salt water can have the same effects to jewelry over time. Taking it off before you swim will protect your jewelry and keep it looking beautiful for years to come.

If you have gold necklaces and bracelets, you can actually make money from your jewelry while still keeping your pieces. All it takes is clipping off any excess material, usually only a few inches. You will still keep your piece intact so you can wear it. You could make hundreds by shortening the chains of your necklaces, provided they are made of real gold.

If you are wearing a simple outfit, wear bigger jewelery. It is better to pair something complex with a solid background. This will show off the jewelry’s fine design.

To maintain the integrity of the setting, only use a slightly damp cloth to gently clean the piece. When drying the piece, use a soft and dry cloth. Don’t ever use steam cleaners or any kind of harsh chemicals on costume or fashion jewelry.

This advice makes choosing suitable jewelry easy. With all the many different designs of jewelry to be had, it can be confusing to know what to buy, but knowing the facts will be a huge help.