Do you want to add the perfect jewelery to enhance your outfit or style? Or maybe you want to buy a gift for a close friend. You are sure to find useful advice in this selection of tips and tricks.

For example, you should never use bleach, turpentine, or ammonia on your jewelry. Natural acids won’t erode the enamel on your copper jewelry the way harsh chemicals can.

You should always store your jewelry very carefully. It’s better to keep pieces separate by using boxes, holders, hooks and other containers. Avoid just throwing them into a box in an unorganized manner. Storing them improperly can damage the fragile pieces, and necklaces can get tangled with other pieces.

Precious Metals

The metals in jewelry can tarnish if exposed to humid air, so you will want to store them in a way that protects them. To keep your jewelry properly protected, store it in a drawstring bag or jewelry box. Both air and humidity can lead to tarnished metal. It is possible to polish precious metals, but polishing non-precious metals will damage the coating, which makes the copper that metal was covering show.

When you are shopping for jewelry in sterling silver, be sure to examine the piece closely, and take along a magnet for metal testing. If an item of jewelry is attracted by a magnet, it is not sterling silver! Only non-precious metals can be drawn to a magnet. You can recognize sterling silver by stamps that say ‘.925’ or ‘ster’. If there is no marking on the piece, it may not be sterling silver.

When shopping for diamonds, it’s best to comparison shop. Compare the jewelery you like with others that are similar; make sure to examine the pieces closely. Be alert, since there are various ways to deceive consumers into thinking a diamond is better then it really is.

Costume Jewelry

You need to pay attention to care and maintenance if you intend to build up a costume jewelry collection. Costume jewelry can be very expensive and a great investment, but a piece that shows too much wear and tear will not be worth the money or time. A good piece will give you many years of happiness and even gain value over time.

Put the jewelry on and wear it for a bit so you can describe the comfort and fit. This will also help you to determine if the piece is sufficiently durable.

The color gemstones are an important consideration when shopping for new jewelry. Try to select stones that are an extension of your individuality and that enhance the tone of your skin. Neutral colored stones will work well with any outfit in your closet. Don’t even bother to buy something that doesn’t function properly.

Costume Jewelry

You need to take special care of costume jewelry. Many of the components of costume jewelry are glued into their settings rather than held in with prongs or other more permanent methods. You will need to avoid immersing your jewelry and make sure to stay away from the use of harsh chemicals. The best way to clean these pieces are to wipe them clean with a damp cloth and dry immediately with another cloth. This keeps dirt from building up and making your jewelry look dull.

Before you buy any item of jewelry, have a think about what your long term plans are for it. You want to ensure that you purchase a piece of jewelry that you will actually wear. Consider specific outfits and styles when making your selections.

When you list jewelry for sale online, make sure you present it in the best possible way. An online buyer doesn’t get the opportunity to handle the jewelry, so photos of the piece have to speak for themselves. Photograph jewelry in a setting that concentrates the viewer’s attention solely on the jewelry; avoid distracting backgrounds.

Now that you have undoubtedly learned some new and interesting facts about jewelry, you can be more confident in your selection and appraisal of lustrous gemstones, sparkling diamonds, colorful beads and gleaming metals like silver, gold and platinum. Enjoy your jewelry buying, selling or wearing experience a little more now that you have the right information.