Have you ever seen yourself in a mirror and questioned what was missing? Your clothes look great, your chosen socks actually match, and your shoes are on the right feet, but still something is missing. The solution is probably jewelry. Even simpler pieces of jewelry can unite your outfit.Keep your whole jewelry looking like new by wiping it with a polishing cloth. This will allow your jewelry to shine without the use of harsh solvents and chemicals. Use the two-sided cloth on your jewelry just as you were cleaning glass. Use one side for polishing and the other to polish it.Do not clean your jewelry with chemicals such as bleach or ammonia. These chemicals can wreak havoc on your jewelry, from discoloring bands, to dulling stones, to eroding enamel or glue.Keep your jewelery in a space that is free from humidity or air. Certain metals begin to tarnish when exposed to humidity or air. Precious metal jewelry can be polished to fix tarnish, but non-precious metal needs a special polish.If you are in the market to buy some silver jewelry, use a magnet and examine the jewelry very carefully. If an item of jewelry is attracted by a magnet, it will be attracted to the magnet. You can identify sterling silver by its markings, for example “sterling, it might simply say,” or “.925.” If the piece that you are looking at is not hallmarked, be leery of its authenticity because oftentimes it is a sign of a fake.Ensure you are certain how to keep your jewelery in one place so it is not damaged. Using boxes, hooks, holders, and compartments is very effective for ensuring the pieces stay separated. Do not ever just throw them in a pile. Not only can it damage finer, fragile pieces, but it can also make a tangled mess out of chains.Know the distinctions between kinds of gems before you are buying with your jewelry.The types of gems available are synthetic, imitation and synthetic. Natural and synthetic are both real, whereas imitation is just an item of plastic with gemstone colors. Natural stones are found underground and synthetic ones are created in a lab.Pay attention if they usually wear studs or hoop earrings, sizes, and any other typical jewelry that they wear. This will give you get started in your search for the perfect item of jewelry for your loved one.When you are shopping for jewelry in sterling silver, be sure to examine the piece closely, and take along a magnet for metal testing. You are able to detect fake pieces of sterling jewelry with a magnet, as non-precious metals are attracted by the magnet. You will always find a hallmark stamp such as “.925” or “STER.” on genuine sterling, or alternately, it might simply say, “STERLING”. If there is no marking on the piece, it may not be sterling silver.Always check with your jeweler about an insurance policy options before buying a new piece of jewelry. If your jewelry becomes damaged, you can take it back and see if they will fix it! Some jewelers even offer insurance for jewelry against loss or theft.Keep your jewelry pieces looking beautiful by protecting them from getting tarnished in order to keep it looking it’s best. Try not to wear jewelry away from water. Water can cause some types of metal if it is exposed to it too often. If you want to give your jewelry a measure of protection from this element, prepare it by adding some clear nail polish on the surface.Have shopping companions when you shop for diamonds. Take a look at the diamonds up close, then put it next to other pieces you are interested in. Be aware that some dealers will use cheap tactics to make a diamond look better than it is.Costume jewelry make good investments and they can be costly, but pieces that are damaged aren’t worth much and aren’t worth the time to restore. A good piece that is in excellent condition will give you many years of happiness and even gain value over time.

You need to know how to care for each piece in your jewelry. A technique that is effective for one type of stone may actually cause damage to another. Ask a jeweler when you know how to take care of your items.If you want to collect costume jewelry, concentrate on getting quality peices. Costume jewelery pieces can be expensive but they are not worth the investment if they look too old. The most useful pieces in your collection are the ones that are in excellent condition.If your “giftee” is a unique person, look for an item of jewelry that is in line with their clothing and lifestyle choices. This shows that you are both thoughtful and creative, just the kind of sentiment you want to show your special friends.Every diamond is unique in both its beauty and possesses particular flaws. Some flaws may be less important to you once you actually see the diamond in person.You will need to take special care when you are buying costume jewelery! Costume settings are often glued-in as compared to set-in. Do not dip your jewelery in chemicals that may harm them. Use a damp cloth, then dry it with another clean, dry cloth. Doing so will keep your jewelry looking its best for life.Chlorine is a very strong and harsh chemical that can damage the luster and life of your precious jewelry pieces. Salt water can be equally as bad for your jewelry. Taking it off before swimming will protect their beauty and extend their life.You can make some extra cash from your solid gold necklaces and bracelet without sacrificing the pieces. If it is real gold and you have a few chains, you can earn a couple hundred dollars with this method.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. If you buy something that will go along with their personality it will show them you thought about them!If you are a jewelry maker and sell it at craft shows and other sales, this is where you need to look!When searching for the materials that you will use to make your jewelry, also look for items that you could display it on. You can make attractive jewelry displays out of virtually anything, baskets, racks, etc.There are very good reasons why rubies are such a classic. While it’s true that rubies are red, rubies also come in a variety of shades ranging from deep rose to almost maroon. Rubies are very durable and can withstand considerable wear and other types of damage. Their ability to last many years make them some of the best choices for jewelry.Before you buy a gemstone, it is important that you learn about the treatment process it underwent. Different care is required for different treatments. Some cleaning solutions that work perfectly well on untreated gems can strip off treatments, and even damage stones, if you use them on treated gems.As you have read in this article, jewelry is ideal for a variety of occasions and styles. Well-chosen and well-maintained jewelry can be the key to making your appearance elegant, no-nonsense, or light-hearted. No matter where you are going next, you will look better when you get there if you are wearing the right jewelry.