It can be well worth your while to thoroughly research any jewelry you are planning to buy or sell. You may be uncertain where to start.

Avoid using things like bleach, acetone, ammonia, turpentine, and other related chemicals to clean them with. This can cause your stones to turn and dull in color, along with eating away any enamel on the pieces.

If you are in the market to buy some silver jewelry, don’t forget to take a magnet along with you. To spot scams, see if the magnet attracts the piece. If it does, then shout “FAKE!” at the top of your lungs and move to the next store. You can recognize sterling silver by stamps that say ‘.925’ or ‘ster’. If the piece is not hallmarked in any way, be leery of its authenticity because oftentimes it is a sign of a fake.

You should expect good jewelry to last the rest of your life, and possibly beyond. Get jewelry from a jeweler with a good reputation to be sure that it’s of high-quality. If a piece of jewelry is of high quality, it should be made well and exhibit top-flight craftsmanship. A good jeweler can provide you with some background on the piece, such as who crafted it, where it was manufactured, and where any stones in it came from. 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.

Pay attention to the types, sizes, and colors of jewelry that the person wears. This will help you get started in your search for the perfect item of jewelry for your loved one.

Before you think about picking up new jewelry, check into what the latest trends are to get a sense of what’s of value. Getting a beautiful piece is fantastic; but it’s even better when it’s on sale!

Buy Costume Jewelry

If you like to buy costume jewelry, make sure that you examine the condition carefully. Quality costume jewelry may cost more, but a cheaply made piece will fall apart and will quickly become unusable. You’ll get more return on your investment later if you buy costume jewelry in good condition.

Consider how you should best clean each piece of your jewelry. Different kinds of jewelery will require you take care of them in different ways. Each piece is individual in its needs so don’t assume what works well for one piece will work well for all. Talk with a professional if you aren’t sure what sort of care each jewel requires.

Costume jewelry needs special care. Many of their settings are glued instead of set. Don’t immerse costume jewelry in water or use chemicals on it. For best results, use a warmed, damp cloth to wipe your jewelry and then use another cloth to dry it. This will make your costume jewelry sparkle for weeks, months, or even years.

As has been outlined in this article, whether you are buying or selling an item of jewelry, it is important to do your homework and then put in the effort towards achieving your end goals. Whether that is to own a new piece, or to sell an old one for profit, the effort put in will equal what you get out. Keep all the tips fresh in your mind, and you will find success.