Whether you buy jewelry for yourself or loved ones, get it as a gift or receive valuable heirloom pieces, you need to know how to buy, sell and care for jewelry responsibly. This article will teach you how to save money when buying jewelry and care for it effectively.

Keep your jewelry looking like new by wiping it with a polishing cloth. This is an easy way to get shine without chemicals and solvents. Use this two-sided cloth on your jewelry as though you were cleaning glass. Use the side that is designated for polish, and the other to make it shine.

Don’t clean your jewelry in harsh household chemicals like ammonia, bleach or turpentine. These chemicals can wreak havoc on your jewelry, from discoloring bands, to dulling stones, to eroding enamel or glue.

Watch how you store your jewelry when it isn’t being worn. You should keep the pieces separate in compartments, boxes, holders, and on hooks for better storage. Resist the temptation to jumble all your pieces into a community box. This can harm fragile and fine pieces, along with severely tangling necklaces with other pieces.

Sterling Silver

Bring a magnet when shopping for sterling silver jewelery. If the piece you are examining is not silver and is made from non-precious metal, it will be attracted to the magnet. Sterling silver should always bear a stamp that says Sterling, Ster. or .925. If you don’t see a stamp of any sort on a piece, then be wary of whether it is actually silver or not.

Do your research before settling on one diamond. Find a few reference pieces that you like, and see if other diamonds can do better. Less-scrupulous jewelry sellers have many ways to enhance the appearance of a sub-par diamond, so you have to stay alert.

For jewelry to stay shiny and new-looking, it is important to keep it from tarnishing. Try not to wear jewelry when you are around water. Many types of jewelry become dulled or tarnished when they are exposed to water. Painting a thin layer of clear-colored nail polish on your metal jewelry can add a protective barrier to it.

Wearing the jewelry yourself can help you decide if it will be appropriate for your intended recipient. You will also find out if your creation is durable enough.

Think about what stones you would want before you purchase a new piece of jewelry. Try to choose a stone that meshes well with your taste or personality. Also, consider what looks good on you. Also think about what color clothing you wear often, and chose a neutral color that will match many of the outfits in your closet. Do not buy something if it does not work for you.

It is important to think about the most effective methods of jewelry care. Take into account that different types of material takes different types of care, like stones and metals. A treatment that polishes one stone may scratch another stone. Ask a jeweler when you do not know how to take care of your jewelry.

If you are getting jewelry for someone you consider to be one-of-a-kind, think about buying a piece that’s the same: unique and specially-crafted. You want the piece to match the person; unique people deserve unique jewelry.

Watch for jewelry sales if you’re in the mood to shop. You can save big money with the right sale. Scope out the sales in every store you can find. Consider buying something that is out of style to get a better deal.

Look at a lot of different pieces before settling on a diamond jewelry purchase. Every diamond is uniquely different from another, and they each have their own flaws. When you personally see the stone, some flaws can be less important. Also, jewelers can adjust prices based on a specific diamond’s particular condition. Do your research and shop smart in order to find the best diamond at the best possible price.

When buying jewelry, you should not buy something only because of the brand. The brand may be a significant factor in the price. Usually, brand names like Cartier and Tiffany are much more expensive than jewelry without the brand name for the same piece. There are thousands of quality brands of jewelry available for purchase.

Properly-maintained jewelry is very valuable, not just financially but also sentimentally. If you know how to properly care for your jewelery, you will be taking care of memories you will have for many years. There is a vast amount of information that you can find about jewelry. The more knowledge you gain, the more you will learn to value and appreciate each unique piece in your collection.