Have you ever seen yourself in a mirror and questioned what was missing? Your clothes look fabulous, your socks match, and you are sporting freshly polished shoes, but something is not right. Jewelry is what is missing.Even simpler pieces of jewelry can pull your outfit together.

If you are shopping unmarked sterling silver jewelry, use a magnet and examine the jewelry very carefully. If the piece you are examining is not silver and is made from non-precious metal, it is not sterling silver! Only non-precious metals can be drawn to a magnet.You can identify sterling silver by its markings, or alternately, it might simply say, “STERLING”. If your silver is not marked, this is usually the sign that it is a fake.

Get a polishing cloth for your jewelery. It will allow you to make your jewelry look as good as new without the use of chemicals. To clean your jewelry, obtain a soft two-sided cloth and gently rub in a circular motion. Use a two-sided cloth to clean your jewelry, one for polishing, and the other for shining.

A good piece of jewelry should be long lasting.When you look for a piece of jewelry, you should always buy from a reputable store or dealer, well-made piece. A valuable piece of jewelry should be well-made and feature superior craftsmanship. A good jeweler can provide you with some background on the piece, including the person that made it, where it was manufactured, and where any stones in it came from. It is essential to purchase high-quality jewelry if you want them to last a treasured heirloom passed down for generations.

Take a look at the diamonds up close, and then hold everything else you consider to that standard. Be aware that jewelers use to make a diamond look bigger or better.

Avoid using harmful substances like bleach, ammonia, acetone, turpentine and the like to clean them. Natural acids won’t erode the enamel on your copper jewelry the way harsh chemicals can.

Before you buy any new jewelry, look at what the current trends are. The only thing that beats getting a fantastic piece of jewelry better is if you get it at a discount.

Costume jewelry can prove to be a good investment, but a piece that shows too much wear and tear will not be worth the money or time. A piece that is in good condition will increase in value.

You should always store your jewelry very carefully. You can protect your jeweled investments with hooks, boxes and holders that keep each piece intact and prevent tangles. Jewelry should not be lumped together in a pile. This can harm delicate parts, and tangle some pieces with others, like necklaces.

Wear the jewelry piece for a day or so to be sure that you can get an idea of how comfortable it is and if it hangs right. This will also let you know how the piece is durable enough to last.

You should carefully consider how to best ways to take care of your jewelry. A technique that is effective for one type of stone or metal may scratch another stone. Ask a jeweler when you know how to maintain your items.

Knowing what type of jewel you are buying when you purchase jewelry is very important. There are basically three distinct types: natural gems, synthetic gems and imitation stones. Imitation has little value, as it is generally plastic, while synthetic and natural are considered to be real gems. The difference here, however, is that synthetic is man-made in a laboratory while natural is found buried in the earth.

Costume Jewelry

You need to take special care when you are buying costume jewelery! Many of the components of costume jewelry are glued into their settings rather than set. You want to avoid immersing your jewelry and make sure to stay away from the use of harsh chemicals. The best care is to wipe them clean with a warm damp cloth and dry with another cloth. This will keep any costume jewelry looking its best.

Do some shopping around when you are looking to buy some diamonds. Always see the piece up close, and compare it critically to any others you’re considering. Less-scrupulous jewelry sellers have many ways to enhance the appearance of a sub-par diamond, so you have to stay alert.

If you are buying jewelry for someone who values her individuality, think about buying a piece that’s the same: unique and specially-crafted. A unique ring, and it shows them that you care about them enough to buy them something that they’ll wear.

This is particularly important with necklaces or earrings.

Prevent your jewelry from tarnishing so that it keeps looking great. Keep your jewelry away from water. Many of the metals become tarnished, rusty or dull when they get exposed to the elements of water. Apply clear nail polish to your jewelery as an added protection.

Have a purpose in mind for every piece of jewelry you buy it. There is no need for a box of unloved jewelry. Think about the outfits you can wear the jewelry with when you are choosing jewelry.

Chlorine can damage the life and luster of your precious pieces. Salt water is equally damaging over time. Taking jewelry off before swimming will protect it and extend their life.

You should try and wear the jewelery once to see if it will hang on you right. You will be able to tell if it will hold up to wear and tear.

Brand should not be the only consideration when buying jewelry. It is not difficult to find quality pieces from a variety of brands.

If you’re going to spend a good deal of money on a jewelry item, then make sure to buy a piece that will last a very long time. Quality and durability are usually givens when you spend big, but you should also carefully consider style and trends. A modern cut may look wonderful with your style now but lose its appeal in the future. Try and find something that never go out of fashion.

Try on a few different stones when you are shopping for jewelry. Choose stones that complement your complexion and that best reflect your personality. Neutral colored stones go well with many different outfits. You want to have plenty of opportunities to show off every piece.

To complete your address, you will want to find the best piece of jewelery. There is a wide variety of jewelry on the market today, making it easy to select a piece that fits whatever type of event you are dressing for, be it an elegant party or fun excursion. To make sure you look your best, wear some jewelery!