If you want to buy or sell jewelry, then it is important that you have an understanding of what you are doing in order to be successful. You will now wonder where you can start.

Don’t use harsh chemicals like turpentine or bleach to clean jewelry. Harsh chemicals will dull your stones and dissolve the enamel on your jewelry.

Store your jewelry in a place that is not subjected to humidity extremes or open air. Keep your jewelry in a drawstring bag or in a box that is made for jewelry. Humidity and air tends to cause precious and non-precious metals to tarnish. Silver polishes work well to remove tarnish, but certain metals, such as bronze, may not polish well. The polish may remove the surface coating and then the metal underneath, such as copper, becomes visible.

Sterling Silver

If you are looking to purchase sterling silver jewelry make sure that you have a magnet with you and a good eye. Jewelry made with non-precious metals will be attracted to the magnet, revealing any fakes. You can generally tell genuine sterling silver by its stamp, which will look something like “.925 ster.” If the piece that you are looking at is not hallmarked, this is usually the sign that it is a fake.

Before buying a new item of jewelry, do a little research on recent trends. If you look around you may be able to find a great deal!

For jewelry to stay shiny and new-looking, it is important to keep it from tarnishing. Don’t take your jewelry into the water, regardless of whether you are showering or hitting the beach. Many types of metal will become dulled, tarnished, or rusty when exposed to it. Use a thinner coat of your clear nail polish on your jewelry for extra protection.

If your “giftee” is a unique person, try finding a special piece that is crafted specifically for them. Pieces that match their personality will highlight your thoughtfulness and creativity, especially since you care for them enough to purchase jewelry for them.

See if your gem has had any treatments prior to buying, and if so, which treatments. Different care is required for different treatments. For example, you should avoid cleaning a gem that has been treated with a certain solution that could peel off the treatment because this could harm the gem.

If you want to purchase new jewelry, watch for discounts or sales. Finding the right sale can save you a lot of money. Look for the best promotions and sales on the Internet, in your local paper, on television ads, and even in storefront windows. If you buy the older fashions that are from the previous season, you can save a lot of money.

The shape and shine of a diamond means more than the size. Keep the individual you are buying the diamond for in mind.

This applies to dry and steam-filled saunas. Extreme moisture and heat can seriously damage the piece.

Make sure you look around for awhile when you decide you want to shop for jewelry. All diamonds are unique and will have different types of imperfections. Once you see some of the flaws in person, they may become less important. Jewelers can price their diamonds differently according to the flaws in the diamonds. It is important to look at various options to ensure you get the best quality diamond for the amount of money you can comfortably afford.

This article has now showed you how important it is to put effort into your research, when looking to buy or sell any jewelry. If you can keep the tips provided in mind, then you are already on the road to success.