The concept of jewelry is nearly as beautiful as physical pieces of jewelry are themselves. Jewelry captures happy occasions and special events, giving tribute to relationships between those that buy the jewelry and those that receive it. Learning about jewelry can aid you in preserving it for a longer time.

Try using a simple polishing cloth on your jewelery collection. This will give your jewelry shine and luster without the use of potentially harmful chemicals. Polish your jewelry with a two-sided polishing cloth as you might buff a lovely glass. Use one side to shine it and the other to polish it.

Don’t use acetone, ammonia, turpentine, bleach, or other harsh chemicals for cleaning them. This can dull your stones and eat away their enamel.

Precious Metals

Some precious metals and gems need to be kept away from moisture and humidity. A drawstring bag or closed box offers the best protection from moisture in the air. Certain metals will be tarnished when exposed to humidity or air. You will be able to polish precious metals to remove tarnish, but non-precious metals may lose their coating, showing the copper metal beneath.

Before you buy a gemstone, ask what type of gemstone it is. The three different types of stones are natural, imitation and synthetic. Natural and synthetic gemstones are both actual gemstones, while an imitation gemstone is just a plastic mold made to look like a gemstone. Natural gems are those that are actually from the earth, whereas synthetic ones are made in labs.

Quality Piece

You should expect good jewelry to last the rest of your life, and possibly beyond. To ensure you are buying a quality piece, refuse to deal with anybody but the most reputable of jewelers. Quality jewelry will be constructed to last, and show a fine attention to detail. Your jeweler should have all the information on the piece, including where it came from and who created it. It is important to choose a high-quality piece to ensure that your jewelry will last a lifetime.

Do your research before settling on one diamond. Take a look at the diamonds up close, then put it next to other pieces you are interested in. With diamonds, you need to have a keen eye because of the many tricks people will use to enhance it.

Be sure to pay attention to details like type of metal and shape. Just paying attention to what they wear now will make buying for them much easier than asking a salesperson.

Preventing tarnish will keep your jewelry look its best. Don’t wear jewelry near water. Lots of jewelry materials are dulled or tarnished by water exposure. If you are looking to protect your jewelry from the ill effects of water, try applying clear nail polish, just a thin layer, on the piece itself.

Costume Jewelry

Special care is required for costume jewelry. Many of the costume type settings are glued-in, rather than set-in. Don’t submerge costume jewelry in water or clean it with abrasives. For best results, use a warmed, damp cloth to wipe your jewelry and then use another cloth to dry it. This helps keep costume jewelry looking sparkling clean and new.

For a gift that is as unique as its recipient, look for handcrafted or customized pieces. This will express the time you spent to get their gift just right, just the kind of sentiment you want to show your special friends.

When it comes to jewelry, whether you are buying, selling or simply wearing and enjoying it, you need good information to protect your investment. Jewelry can symbolize a memorable moment or a hope for the future.