Jewels have been used as adornments for centuries, and the possible and available designs are endless. The tips below can be used to begin picking out great jewelry that you’re proud to wear.

Jewelry should be stored in an air-tight and humid free area. Store jewelry in a sealed box or drawstring pouch for the best protection. Both air and humidity can lead to tarnished metal. Precious metals, through some work and polish, can be restored to their original condition. Non-precious metals are coated, which means that polishing will allow copper metal to come through.

Know which kind of stone you are buying with your jewelry. Gems are divided into three main categories: imitation, synthetic and natural. Imitation gems are basically plastic that is colored, while synthetic and natural are real. Natural gems are dug up from the ground, and synthetic gems are man-made in a lab.

Quality Piece

Jewelry should last a life-time. To ensure you are buying a quality piece, refuse to deal with anybody but the most reputable of jewelers. High-quality jewelry can be told by its superior craftsmanship and good manufacture. The jeweler should be able to give you a history on the piece, like who crafted it and where the stones came from if there are any. It is important to choose a high-quality piece to ensure that your jewelry will last a lifetime.

Consider how you should best clean each piece of your jewelry. You should know that different materials require different maintenance. What works for one piece of jewelry could dull or damage another. Go ahead and ask a professional jeweler to find out exactly how you should be caring for your jewels.

Costume Jewelry

You need to take special care of costume jewelry. Costume jewelry is generally bound by glue rather than settings and is therefore, a lot more fragile. Costume jewelry should never be submerged in liquid, nor cleaned with chemicals. It is best to have two cloths ready, one warm with water and one dry, to use to wipe your jewelry. This will ensure that your costume jewelry looks perfect.

Keep all of your jewelry cleaner by putting it on only after you have applied all makeup and perfume. Putting jewelry on prior to applying makeup or hairspray allows gunk and grime from your beauty products to settle on the jewelry, leaving it dull and potentially harming the finish. It is especially important to keep this in mind when putting on earrings and necklaces.

Have a purpose in mind before shopping for jewelry. A big supply of jewelry that you never wear is of little use to you. When you are picking the jewelry out, think about the clothes you will be wearing.

A small but well-cut diamond with high clarity can look nicer than a bigger diamond of lower quality. Most important of all, make sure that the piece you choose complements the nature of the intended receiver.

Wearing jewelry during spa and recreational activities is not recommended. Because of the high temperature and moisture in saunas, they can cause serious damage to your jewelry.

Jewelry sets are a great gift item to consider. Buying a set of jewelry can get you a deal many times. You do not have to give your loved one the entire set at once. You can present him or her with one piece as each occasion comes around. This way, you can ensure that you don’t have to worry about getting a gift at the last minute, and you know that it will match what they already own.

These tips are a great starting point for you when trying to choose your ideal piece. If you read up about jewelry, it can make it much easier to choose a design.