No matter if you received, bought or inherited a piece of jewelry, the jewelry world can be downright puzzling. Where should you look to find information about jewelry in relation to artistic tradition? This article has some helpful tips to help you become a better educated consumer.

Precious Metals

Keep jewelry stored safely and away from both air and humidity. Trying putting them in a box with a tight-fitting lid or a bag that has a drawstring closure. Both air and humidity can lead to tarnished metal. While precious metals can be polished back to their original luster, non-precious metals are only coated in which case polishing causes the copper metal underneath to show through.

When you are shopping for jewelry in sterling silver, be sure to examine the piece closely, and take along a magnet for metal testing. 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 Be wary of jewelery without any kind of hallmark, as often it is fake.

A good piece of jewelery can last you your whole life. Get jewelry from a jeweler with a good reputation to be sure that it’s of high-quality. Jewelry should display exemplary craftsmanship and be well-made. The jeweler must be able to provide a history of the piece. This will tell you who made the piece, and where the components came from. This way, you can ensure you are paying a fair price. It is essential to purchase high-quality jewelry if you want it to become a treasured heirloom passed down for generations.

Do some shopping around when you are looking to buy some diamonds. Take a very close look at the piece you like, and then make the comparison to any others on your favorites list. There are many ways to make a diamond look better than it really is.

When purchasing jewelry from a respected jeweler, inquire as to whether they offer an insurance policy. You want to know if they will be able to repair or replace the piece if it was to break. You might find some jewelers who are willing to insure it against loss and theft.

If you are wanting to collect costume jewelry, you should ensure you are aware of its condition. Costume jewelery pieces can be expensive but they are not worth the investment if they look too old. Costume pieces kept in great condition will enhance your collection much more over time.

Caring for your jewelry properly is important; you should definitely give it some consideration. You should know that different materials require different maintenance. The best way to care for a particular piece of jewelry could be harmful to a different piece. Your jeweler can give you instructions on proper handling if you are not sure.

Costume Jewelry

Costume jewelry needs to be handled and stored delicately. Many costume jewelry pieces are glued rather than set. Costume jewelry should never be submerged in liquid, nor cleaned with chemicals. For best results, use a warmed, damp cloth to wipe your jewelry and then use another cloth to dry it. This keeps dirt from building up and making your jewelry look dull.

Keep your jewelry unsoiled by only putting it on after all of your makeup has been applied. 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. This applies to necklaces and earrings more than anything else.

Find out if your gemstone was treated before you buy it and if it was, how it was treated. The way to care for a stone differs greatly depending on how it was treated. You do not want to try to clean a treated gem with a solution that may strip the treatment and damage the gem in the process.

Jewelry is a very large topic, and there are a lot of things to know about it. If you research your purchases properly, you can know that the jewelry you buy will last a lifetime. The jewelry world is rewarding and exciting, so join in the hunt! Use these guidelines as soon as possible to ensure that you get off to a good start.