Jewelry: what does it mean to you? How familiar are you with different jewelry styles? Can you recognize a good jewelry deal? Do you know how to care for jewelry properly? These tips should help you understand the complex world of jewelry. Peruse through these tips so you can be ready for anything that you may encounter in the world of jewelry.

Use a soft cloth on your jewelry as often as you want. This is a fairly simple way to achieve shine without dealing with solvents and chemicals. Use the dual-sided cloth on your jewelry just as you would clean a glass. Use one side of the cloth for polishing, and the reverse to make it sparkle.

Avoid harsh chemicals like bleach, ammonia and acetone that may permanently damage your jewelry. These chemicals can turn stones dull and even erode the enamel.

Stored Safely

Keep jewelry stored safely and away from both air and humidity. Keep them stored safely in a closed, dark area, like a jewelry box or drawstring bag. Air and humidity can tarnish metals of all types. It is possible to restore precious metals to their previous state, but it’s better to avoid damaging them in the first place.

When shopping for genuine sterling silver jewelry, you need both a discerning eye and a small magnet. As a precious metal, silver should never be attracted to a 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.

When you are purchasing a new piece of jewelry, be aware of the gemstone that it contains and what it is made of. There are basically three distinct types: natural gems, synthetic gems and imitation stones. “Real” can mean natural or synthetic, and an imitation stone could be glass or plastic. Natural stones are mined, and synthetic stones are created in a laboratory.

Before you make a final jewelry-buying decision, take a look at what’s new and trendy. The one thing that makes a great purchase an outstanding one is getting a bargain on it.

Costume Jewelry

If you are wanting to collect costume jewelry, you should ensure you are aware of its condition. This type of jewelry can be extremely expensive and makes an incredible investment. However, this type of piece can have a lot of wear and tear, which wouldn’t be worth your money or time. You’ll get more return on your investment later if you buy costume jewelry in good condition.

The stone is an important part of a piece of jewelry so should be considered carefully. Choose stones that have a reflection on your personality and that also complement the color of your skin. Also think about what color clothing you wear often, and chose a neutral color that will match many of the outfits in your closet. Do not buy something that looks nice on the shelf but that you will never use.

These tips should be followed if you want to make an informed jewelery purchase. You might find yourself making more stylish jewelry selections, or even saving big money by recognizing good deals. Choosing nice pieces is all about knowing the art of jewelry.