No matter if you received, bought or inherited a piece of jewelry, the jewelry world can be downright puzzling. The number of resources available can make things confusing at first. Read on to discover a few handy tips that can make you a wiser owner, buyer and giver of jewelry.

Avoid using things like bleach, acetone, ammonia, turpentine, and other related chemicals to clean them with. This will result in damage to both the stones and the metal of the piece.

Keep your jewelry in a relatively air-tight container, and minimize its exposure to humidity. Keep them stored safely in a closed, dark area, like a jewelry box or drawstring bag. Certain metals will be tarnished when exposed to humidity or air. Precious metals can easily be polished, but non-precious metal needs a special polish.

Sterling Silver

When you go shopping for sterling silver jewelry pieces, take with you a magnet and a monocle. Magnets attract non-precious metals, and you can use this fact to detect fakes. You can identify sterling silver by its markings, for example “sterling,” “ster,” or “.925.” If the piece is not hallmarked in any way, be leery of its authenticity because oftentimes it is a sign of a fake.

Jewelry should last a life-time. When choosing your next piece of jewelry, be sure to deal with a reputable dealer to ensure you attain a high-quality piece. 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. When you are looking for jewelry of the highest quality, it is important to be careful in your choice, as you want something that will last a lifetime.

Always look at a number of different places when you are shopping for diamonds. Look at what you like close up, and compare them to other pieces you have seen. Look out for tricks that make the diamond look better than it is.

Before you make a final jewelry-buying decision, take a look at what’s new and trendy. One of the few things that can enhance the appeal of a lovely piece of jewelry is knowing that it came at a great discount!

Costume Jewelry

Make careful note of the condition of costume jewelry you wish to collect. Costume jewelry is pricey and can retain its value in many cases, but pieces that are damaged aren’t worth much and aren’t worth the time to restore. Compare pieces for quality, because good ones stay high or even grow in value over time.

It is important to think about the most effective methods of jewelry care. The variety of stones, metals and assorted settings will determine the ways in which you care for them. Along the same lines, enhancing different stones and settings requires you to take different steps. If you can’t find information about caring for a specific piece of jewelry, consult a trusted jeweler.

In order to make sure your jewelry is always looking clean, you should only put a piece on once you’ve applied your make-up. Your jewelry attracts dust and particles from cosmetics; if you apply makeup after you put on your jewelry, the particles will make it look dull. This is even more necessary for earrings and necklaces.

This rule applies to dry saunas as well as steam ones. The high temperatures and damp environment can corrode the surface of your jewelry and cause long-term damage to the piece.

As you have seen, jewelry has many wonderful aspects. If you are diligent about doing your research, you’ll be able to make educated purchasing decisions and learn how to care for those purchases. Welcome to the colorful, powerful and rewarding world of jewelry and adornments! When you apply the above advice, you are on the right path to a successful journey.