Whether your purchase jewelry for friends, inherit valuable pieces or receive jewelry as a gift, it is important that you are aware of the best buying, selling and cleaning jewelry practices. This article has most of the tips you need to learn how to keep your jewelry looking brand new.

Don’t use harsh chemicals like turpentine or bleach to clean jewelry. You can turn your stones this way and it will eat away the enamel on the pieces.

Take a moment to consider how your valuable jewelry is stored and sorted. It is recommended to separate the items stored by using compartments, boxes, holders and hooks. Don’t just put them in one huge, unorganized pile. Not only will your necklaces become hopelessly tangled, you risk harming any fragile pieces as they bump and scrape against each other as you search the box.

Know the distinctions between kinds of gems before you make a jewelry purchase. Gemstones now come in natural as well as synthetic and imitation types. Imitation has little value, as it is generally plastic, while synthetic and natural are considered to be real gems. Natural stones are found in mines, while synthetic stones are produced by machines.

Quality Jewelry

Good jewelry will last a lifetime. 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. Your jeweler should have all the information on the piece, including where it came from and who created it. Investing in a high-quality jewelry piece ensures that you will have a timeless item that will be just as wearable in 20 years as it is today.

Comparison shopping is a must when shopping for diamonds. Take a look at the diamonds up close, then put it next to other pieces you are interested in. Some diamond sellers use misleading practices to try to increase the apparent quality of their merchandise, so you should be wary of these tactics.

Costume Jewelry

Remember that even costume jewelry needs careful attention. Costume jewelry is generally bound by glue rather than settings and is therefore, a lot more fragile. For this reason, costume jewelry should never touch water, and you should avoid using detergents on it. The best way to maintain your costume jewelry is to use a moist, warm cloth first, then dry it off with another cloth. This will keep your costume jewelry clean and shiny.

The brooch adds a unique touch and a bit of your style to your outfit. Try pinning it at the center of your waist or near your hip.

If you are interested in acquiring new jewelry pieces, try to find great sales. Jewelry sales offer big savings. Check for the best sales in the paper, online, and in store windows. Sometimes, buying fashion styles that are on their way out can save you almost half of the original price.

The cut, color and clarity of a diamond can make a bigger impression than size alone. Keep the individual you are buying the diamond for in mind.

Any piece of jewelry that wraps around and attaches, such as a necklace or a bracelet, absolutely must have a quality clasp. Clasps keep your pendants safe. It is a wise idea to add a safety clasp to any expensive pieces of jewelry to avoid having them slip off accidentally. It is common to have two or three clasps for expensive jewelry.

For most people, jewelry has significant monetary and sentimental value. When you protect your jewelry you help protect both your investment and your memories. In addition to the information above, there is more information available all over the Internet. Continue to educate yourself to get the most out of your jewelry.