No matter if you received, bought or inherited a piece of jewelry, the jewelry world can be downright puzzling. Without being given the necessary information, it can be hard to know where to start. Read on to discover a few handy tips that can make you a wiser owner, buyer and giver of jewelry.

Steer clear of ammonia, bleach or other strong chemical solvents when you need to clean these items. Chemicals can eat away the stones or enamel on your stones.

When shopping for genuine sterling silver jewelry, you need both a discerning eye and a small magnet. You can tell if a piece of silver is sterling or not by using a magnet. Sterling will not react to the magnet, but non-precious metals will be attracted. Sterling silver always has some sort of stamp to indicate it is sterling. If there is no hallmark, the piece is probably not authentic and may, indeed, be counterfeit.

When you’re considering a diamond purchase, plan on shopping around and making comparisons. Always see the piece up close, and compare it critically to any others you’re considering. Be aware that some dealers will use cheap tactics to make a diamond look better than it is.

See what types of earrings they wear, what color, if they wear ankle bracelets, etc. Doing this will provide a good basis for where you should begin so that you can purchase a special piece for that special someone.

Costume Jewelry

If you are interested in collecting costume jewelry, be sure to stay conscious of the condition. Costume jewelry can be very expensive and a great investment, but a piece that shows too much wear and tear will not be worth the money or time. Compare pieces for quality, because good ones stay high or even grow in value over time.

Find out what the ideal methods are for maintaining each piece of jewelry you own. Different kinds of jewelery will require you take care of them in different ways. What works well with one type of precious stone may actually harm another. Ask a jeweler when you do not know how to take care of your jewelry.

Consider unique pieces of jewelry for unique individuals. Finding something that shows you put thought and effort into the gift is more important the the gift itself, so whether or not what you choose exactly what they wanted, they are sure to be pleased.

Makeup isn’t for jewelry. Let your makeup dry before you put on a piece of jewelry. The grime and dust in makeup are attracted to the jewelry, and if you put on the jewelry before the cosmetics, it can cause the pieces to look dull. Earrings and necklaces are the prominent pieces affected by this.

Baby Oil

Untangle your knotted messes of delicate chains and necklaces. If you are about to give up, get some baby oil and plastic wrap. Place your jewelry on the plastic wrap and add a little baby oil. Untangle it with the use of a needle. Then wash off the baby oil or mineral oil with dish soap, and then pat dry.

Now you see the wide and splendid array of jewelry that has been created. But, with thorough and comprehensive investigation, you can be confident that you are buying and taking care of quality pieces. Welcome to the enchanting world of jewelry! You will be well on your way to enjoying jewelry better when you make use of these tips.