Stress can take a lot of the fun out of shopping if you are seeking to purchase a costly jewelry piece. Jewelry is an investment, and you need the right information to help you make the most of your jewelry buying, selling or wearing endeavors. Without the proper knowledge, a shopper risks paying too much for a piece. You can find great tips on the right way to go about purchasing jewelry if you keep reading this article.

Sterling Silver

Arm yourself with a magnet and a magnifying glass when shopping for sterling silver jewelry. By using the magnet you can quickly determine if the jewelry item is made of a cheaper metal and not sterling silver. You can generally tell genuine sterling silver by its stamp, which will look something like “.925 ster.” If you don’t see such a mark, you might want to reconsider the purchase. This is usually an indication that the piece is fake.

When purchasing jewelry from a respected jeweler, inquire as to whether they offer an insurance policy. These policies dictate whether or not the jeweler will replace or fix your item of jewelry if it is damaged. Some jewelers will offer insurance on jewelry that might have been stolen or lost.

Preventing tarnish will keep your jewelry look its best. Exposure to water can affect the finish, so avoid it. Many pieces can become rusty, tarnished or dull when they are exposed to water. If you must take your jewelry somewhere wet, prepare it by adding some clear nail polish on the surface.

Give the jewelry a little test drive and wear it for a little bit to see if it is comfortable and lays right. It will also allow you to see if the item is durable enough.

Keep all of your jewelry cleaner by putting it on only after you have applied all makeup and perfume. Your jewelry attracts dust and particles from cosmetics; if you apply makeup after you put on your jewelry, the particles will make it look dull. This is particularly important with necklaces and earrings.

Before you purchase a diamond ring, necklace or bracelet, shop around and compare your options. All diamonds are unique and will have different types of imperfections. Once you get to see the flaw up close, you may find that it doesn’t matter to you. Jewelers can price their diamonds differently according to the flaws in the diamonds. Do your research and shop smart in order to find the best diamond at the best possible price.

Think about getting a set of jewelry rather than a single piece. You may be able to find some really great deals when you purchase sets of jewelry. If you purchase a necklace and earring set, you can gift the necklace on one occasion and the earrings on another. This way, you can ensure that you don’t have to worry about getting a gift at the last minute, and you know that it will match what they already own.

Whether it is a ring, watch or a beautiful new bracelet, you can use the advice in the article above to buy your next piece of jewelry with confidence. These helpful tips will save you both time and money.