If you are searching for a valuable piece of jewelry, it adds an element of stress to the fun. There are various materials in jewelry and they vary in costs. Without some basic knowledge, it is very easy to end up paying too much. These tips can help you be more knowledgeable about all aspects of purchasing jewelry.

Precious Metals

Always keep your jewelry in a place that doesn’t experience extreme temperatures or humidities. A drawstring bag or closed box offers the best protection from moisture in the air. Both air and humidity can lead to tarnished metal. Precious metals can often be polished to remove most tarnish. Non-precious metals often have a single coat of metal. Therefore, polishing them can remove the coat and show the copper that is found underneath.

If you are in the market to buy some silver jewelry, don’t forget to take a magnet along with you. Metals that aren’t precious will connect to the magnet, signaling that it is fake. You can identify sterling silver by its markings, for example “sterling,” “ster,” or “.925.” If you don’t see a stamp of any sort on a piece, then be wary of whether it is actually silver or not.

When you are purchasing a new piece of jewelry, be aware of the gemstone that it contains and what it is made of. You have three options as far as the type of gem: natural, imitation and synthetic. Imitation is plastic that is colored to looked like the stone, but natural stones and synthetic stones are real. Synthetic gems come from a lab and natural ones are found in the ground.

Most jewelry is intended to last for a life time. Choose reputable jewelry dealers when considering your next jewelry purchase. The best jewelry is well-designed and well-made with close attention to detail. A credible jeweler should offer a complete history of the piece, including information about the creator and the source of the gemstones. Making sure that it is high-quality will ensure that it lasts forever.

Pay attention to the types, sizes, and colors of jewelry that the person wears. This is a great place to start when picking out that special item.

Before you think about picking up new jewelry, check into what the latest trends are to get a sense of what’s of value. Getting a nice piece of jewelry is good, but getting it at a discount is even better.

Always check with your jeweler about insurance policy options before buying anything. If your jewelry becomes damaged, you can return it to the source and have it repaired. Sometimes you can even get replacement coverage for loss or theft.

Costume Jewelry

Take good care of your costume jewelry. A lot of the stones in costume jewelery are glued in and not set in. Don’t immerse costume jewelry in water, and never wash costume jewelery pieces with harsh chemicals. The most effective way to safely clean them is wiping with a damp cloth, then drying with a different, soft cloth. This keeps costume jewelry looking its best.

Now that you’ve read this article, you know a little more about how to make wise jewelry purchases. You will be able to use these tips to save a good amount of time as well as money.