Whether you inherited some jewelry, received a piece as a gift or purchased a item for yourself, the world of jewelry can be a little confusing. Where do you begin to look to find information on this praiseworthy human tradition? This article will address a few pieces of advice that will help you on your quest to be a better educated consumer.

Use a polishing cloth to keep your jewelry pieces. This is an easy way to achieve shine without chemicals and solvents. Use the two-sided cloth on your jewelry as you would clean a glass. Use one side to shine it and the other for improving its shine.

Don’t use harsh chemicals like turpentine or bleach to clean jewelry. This could cause the stone to change color or become dull in appearance, and it may eat away at the enamel on the piece.

Know which kind of gems before you make a jewelry purchase. There are basically three distinct types: natural gems, synthetic and natural. Natural and synthetic gemstones are both actual gemstones, but imitation gems are probably just colored glass or plastic. Natural stones are dug up out of the ground and synthetic ones are created in a lab.

Before you buy a new piece of jewelry, do a little research on recent trends. The only thing that can make picking out a great purchase an outstanding one is getting a bargain on it.

The metals in jewelry can tarnish if exposed to humid air, so you will want to store them in a way that protects them. Keep them stored safely in a closed, dark area, like a jewelry box or drawstring bag. Humidity and air tends to cause precious and non-precious metals to tarnish. Precious metals can often be polished to remove most tarnish. Non-precious metals often have a single coat of metal. Therefore, polishing them can remove the coat and show the copper that is found underneath.

Always ask the jeweler about insurance policy options before buying anything. If your jewelry becomes damaged, you know that you will be covered if something happens to your jewelry. Some jewelers even offer insurance for jewelry that have been misplaced or stolen.

You should carefully consider how to care for your jewelry. What can be beneficial to one piece of stone can actually cause harm to another. Ask a jeweler when you know how to maintain your items.

Know the type of gem you’re buying, when you buy it. You have three options as far as the type of gem: natural, imitation and synthetic. Imitation gems are basically plastic that is colored, while synthetic and natural are real. Natural stones are found in mines, while synthetic stones are produced by machines.

Costume Jewelry

You will need to pay special care when you are buying costume jewelry. Many costume jewelry pieces are only secured with glue rather than set. Don’t submerge costume jewelry in water or use chemicals on it. The best care is to wipe with a warm damp cloth and then dry immediately with another cloth. This keeps costume jewelry will continue looking great.

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!

This is particularly important in caring for necklaces and earrings.

Before purchasing a gemstone, find out if it has been treated, if any, how. The way to care your stone needs is dependent on how it was treated.

Check to see if your jeweler offers an insurance policy before purchasing an item. If your jewelry gets damaged or broken, you can come back to the store and have it repaired or replaced. In some instances, you can even insure your jewelry against loss or theft.

The right sale will save you a lot of money. Check for the best sales in the paper, in the newspaper, and in store windows. If you buy fashion items at the end of their season, you can save a lot of money.

Have a use in mind for the jewelry you buy it. There is no need for a bauble that you cannot see yourself wearing. Think about the style of clothing you will be wearing when choosing jewelry.

When shopping for jewelry, think about the stones in the pieces. Try to choose a stone that meshes well with your taste or personality. Also, consider what looks good on you. Pieces in neutral tones work well with any item in your wardrobe. Buying something that does not work with multiple outfits is pointless.

When you want to sell jewelry on the Internet, make the extra effort to present it in the best light possible. This is very important to remember because the person that may purchase it cannot hold it before purchasing it online.

As you have seen, jewelry has many wonderful aspects. If you are willing to read up on the subject, you are almost guaranteed to find and keep a gorgeous piece of jewelry. Buying and selling jewelry is fun and exciting! The advice above should be a valuable stepping stone for beginning your quest.

Gems are given chemical treatments in the process of cutting, polishing and setting. When you are thinking of buying, ask what treatment a stone was given. Care for your gemstone is different, depending on how it was previously treated. Cleaning a treated gem using the wrong chemical might damage it.