The meaning behind individual pieces of jewelry can be as beautiful as the actual appearance of the jewelry. A well-chosen piece of jewelry preserves a memory of an important occasion or serves as a perpetual symbol of a special relationship. This article will teach you about jewelry, helping you to appreciate not only selling pieces, but purchasing them as well.

Steer clear of ammonia, bleach or other strong chemical solvents when you need to clean these items. Doing so can destroy enamel finishes, while clouding stones and crystals.

Store your jewelry carefully. Jewelry should be stored in an organized way in a box, a jewelry holder or hung on hooks. Resist the temptation to jumble all your pieces into a community box. Heavy pieces should not be placed in the same compartment with fragile pieces.

Sterling Silver

Having a good eye to catch the details, and a magnet, are key when you are considering the purchase of any type of sterling silver jewelry. Precious metals, like sterling silver, will not be attracted to the magnet. There should be a stamp hallmarked that says something like .925 sterling or ster, on sterling silver If the piece of presumed silver is not marked, be skeptical that is real silver. It could very well be a fake.

Every piece of jewelry should last you a life-time. Get jewelry from a jeweler with a good reputation to be sure that it’s of high-quality. High-quality jewelry items will have superior craftsmanship and pleasing, aesthetic designs. Ask the jeweler what the origin of the piece is, like the maker and the origin of the stones. When you choose a piece of jewelry that is high in quality, it can become a heirloom that will last forever.

You should try and wear the jewelery once to see if it will hang on you right. In this way, you will be able to tell if the item will withstand normal wear.

Think about how best ways to look after your jewelry. Metals, gemstones and settings all have different storage and cleaning requirements. A technique that is effective for one type of stone or metal may actually cause damage to another. If you are uncertain what the best practice is for caring for a particular piece of jewelry, ask your jeweler.

Costume Jewelry

Remember that even costume jewelry needs careful attention. Stones in costume jewelry are usually held in place with glue instead of a physical setting. Don’t submerge costume jewelry in water or clean it with harsh chemicals. It is best to have two cloths ready, one warm with water and one dry, to use to wipe your jewelry. This will keep your costume jewelry clean and shiny.

Investigate your gemstone to determine if it has been treated before you purchase it, and what type of treatment it had. You have to select the type of care for your jewelry depending on its treatment. You don’t want to clean them with a type of solution that could strip the treatment or damage the gem.

Each piece of jewelry bought, sold or owned will hold a little spot in your memories for the years ahead. It doesn’t matter whether jewelry reminds you of good times you’ve had or hope for the future. All jewelry encompasses human emotion in some form.