Ever desired a perfect jewelry accessory to accentuate an ensemble with a “pop” of color? Whether you want to purchase jewelry for yourself or for a friend, the following tips will certainly help you pick something out.

Do some research on the gem in your new piece of jewelry before you buy. The three different types of stones are natural, imitation and synthetic. Imitation gems are basically plastic that is colored, while synthetic and natural are real. The difference here, however, is that synthetic is man-made in a laboratory while natural is found buried in the earth.

A good piece of jewelery can last you your whole life. When purchasing your next jewelry item, focus on buying a quality, well-made piece. Quality jewelry will be constructed to last, and show a fine attention to detail. The jeweler will be able to provide a complete history of the piece of jewelry, including who made it, and exactly where the stones originated. 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.

Before you buy a new piece of jewelry, research the latest trends. The only thing better than picking up a gorgeous bauble is getting it on sale!

Always check with your jeweler about insurance policy options before buying anything. This is to avoid any future complications. If anything were to happen you have yourself covered and to avoid complications with that jeweler in the future, they can replace or fix it for you if you run into problems. There are jewelers who offer insurance for misplaced or lost jewelry, too.

Preventing tarnish will keep your jewelry look its best. Jewelry should not be worn near the water. Water can cause some metals to lose their luster or to become tarnished or rusty. To give jewelry an added layer of protection apply a thin layer of clear nail lacquer.

Costume Jewelry

Costume jewelry needs to be handled and stored delicately. A lot of the stones in costume jewelery are glued in and not set in. For this reason, costume jewelry should never touch water, and you should avoid using detergents on it. To properly care for it you need to use a cloth dampened with warm water. After wiping make sure to use another cloth to thoroughly dry it. This will keep any costume jewelry that you have looking great.

When investing in a costly item from the jewelry department, choose wisely and select something you will use for years to come. Although you usually get high-quality jewelry when you spend a lot of money, you also need to consider the style of the piece. A piece that is made in a popular style may not look quite so fashionable later. A classic design will stand the test of time.

If you’re going to wear gaudy jewelry, don’t wear a gaudy outfit to match. Instead, wear the classic “little black dress” or other solid background to highlight your interesting jewelry item.

Rubies have long been one of the most popular stones for jewelry and for good reason. While the rubies most are familiar with have deep red color, rubies also come in a variety of shades ranging from deep rose to almost maroon. They can handle a lot of abuse and are not as affected by chemicals as other jewels. Rubies are the perfect choice, if you desire a stone that is strong, as well as beautiful.

One often overlooked stone in jewelry is Alexandrite. Depending on the surrounding light, an Alexandrite stone will change colors from green to purple. You can find it often in rings, pendants and earrings.

To retain the jewelry’s natural look, clean the piece gently using a lightly dampened cloth. Then use a cloth to dry off the piece totally. Keep your fashion and costume jewelry away from steam cleaners and harsh chemicals.

Since you have gained a little bit more understanding about jewelry, you should have more faith in your ability to choose gemstones, diamonds, beads and shiny precious metals. Use the advice you’ve learned here to make your jewelry an investment that you will treasure for years to come.