Have you been thinking about accessorizing your outfits with a burst of color by choosing just the right jewelry pieces? Or maybe you want to buy a gift for a close friend. You are sure to find useful advice in this selection of tips and tricks.

Avoid harsh chemicals like bleach, ammonia and acetone that may permanently damage your jewelry. Chemicals can eat away the stones or enamel on your stones.

You should always store your jewelry very carefully. Keep pieces separately by using compartments, boxes, hooks and holders. Tossing all of your jewelry into the same box is a bad plan. Fragile jewelry could easily be damaged by doing this, not to mention the nuisance of having to untangle necklace chains that could get caught together.

Sterling Silver

If you are shopping for sterling silver jewelry, you’ll need a magnet and an eye for the real thing. Use the magnet to detect fake jewelry; real silver will not be attracted to the magnet, but the cheaper metals will. True sterling silver will also have a mark on it to indicate its quality, such as “.925” or “ster”. If the piece is not hallmarked in any way, be leery of its authenticity because oftentimes it is a sign of a fake.

A good piece of jewelery can last you your whole life. When choosing jewelry, you should always buy from a reputable store or dealer, in order to ensure you only get high-quality pieces. A truly high-quality piece is one that is well-constructed and of superior workmanship. The jeweler will be able to provide a complete history of the piece of jewelry, including who made it, and exactly where the stones originated. You need to buy quality jewelry so that you can pass it down as an heirloom.

Study current jewelry trends prior to shopping for a piece. It is better to get a gorgeous bauble on sale!

Wear the jewelry around for a day or so to be sure that it fits right and is comfortable. Doing this also helps you see if the jewelery is long lasting or likely to break easily.

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. It is especially important to follow this tip for necklaces and earrings.

See if your gem has had any treatments prior to buying, and if so, which treatments. It is important to understand the varying treatment processes because each one requires a specific care regimen. 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.

Plastic Wrap

Untangle knotted necklaces with delicate loops. Don’t be tempted to give up on the tangled metal. It’s plastic wrap to the rescue. Put the tangled necklace onto the plastic wrap, then pour a little mineral oil or baby oil onto the piece. If the jewelry is tangled and knotted, try using needles to unknot the strands. Use a mild liquid soap to remove the oil and then pat dry with a towel.

Have definite plans for the jewelry you purchase. You do not need a huge box of jewelry you will never wear. Take time to consider the type of clothing styles and outfits you plan on wearing with your jewelry purchase.

It is important to pay attention to how the diamond is cut, and the clarity of the stone. To some people this is more important and appealing than the actual size. In addition, consider the characteristics and traits of the recipient of this diamond.

You are now armed with the information you need to make better purchasing decisions when it comes to jewelry. No longer shall you find gemstones, diamonds, beads or precious metals overwhelming and daunting. Jewelry is the gift that keeps on giving for years to come, both in style and in economic value.