It takes a lot of homework to buy or sell. It can be puzzling to know exactly where to start.

If you are shopping for sterling silver jewelry, don’t forget to take a magnet along with you. You can detect fake sterling silver with the magnet, as non-precious metals are attracted by the magnet. You can identify sterling silver by its markings, or alternately, it might simply say, “STERLING”. If you don’t see a stamp of any sort on a piece, then be wary.

Before dealing with harsh chemicals, try a polishing cloth to bring back the luster of your jewelry. This will give your jewelry shine and luster without the use of potentially harmful chemicals. Use this two-sided cloth on your jewelry as though you were cleaning glass. One side is designed to polish, and the other is used to make the piece shine.

Natural Stones

Know which kind of gems before you are buying with your jewelry. The three different types of stones are natural, imitation and natural. Natural stones and synthetic gems 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.

Ensure you are certain how to keep your jewelery in one place so it is not damaged. You should keep the pieces separate in compartments, boxes, holders, and on hooks for better storage. Do not just throw them into piles in a box. This haphazard approach can cause damage to the individual components of fine jewelry, and create a tangled mess.

Jewelry is an investment that should last a life-time. When selecting jewelry, be sure to deal with a reputable dealer to ensure you attain a high-quality piece. High-quality jewelry is durable and good manufacture.A good jeweler can provide you with some background on the piece, such as who crafted it, where it was manufactured, such as previous owners for antique or estate pieces. It is essential to purchase high-quality jewelry if you want them to last a treasured heirloom passed down for generations.

Look at what you like close up, and be sure to compare them to others. Be aware that some dealers will use to make a diamond look better than it is.

Make sure to store your jewelry away from humidity and air. Store jewelry in a sealed box or drawstring pouch for the best protection. Humidity quickly tarnishes both precious and non-precious metal. It’s possible to restore precious metals through polishing, but lesser-quality metals may suffer permanent damage.

Always check with your jeweler about insurance policy before buying anything. If your jewelry becomes damaged, you can come back to the store and have it repaired or replaced. Some jewelers even offer insurance for jewelry that have been stolen or lost.

You could wear the jewelry for a few days to see how it feels and if it is comfortable. This also help you see whether the piece is durable enough to last.

When you purchase jewelery ensure you know what you are buying. Gemstones come in three different varieties: natural, imitation and synthetic. While natural and synthetic stones are the real deal, imitation stones are made to look like a real gemstone, but could be anything from colored glass to plastic. Natural comes from the ground, while synthetic ones are created in a lab.

The color gemstones are an important part of a piece of jewelry so should be considered carefully.The gemstone you choose should work with your skin tone and make a statement about your personality.Neutral colored stones will work well with any outfit in your clothing.

The right sale will save you a ton of cash. Check online, on the Internet, and in store windows. If you purchase something on clearance, you can get it for almost 50 percent off of its original price.

You should expect good jewelry to last the rest of your life, and possibly beyond. Whenever you buy jewelry, make sure you go to a reliable, experienced dealer, so you know you’re getting an outstanding piece of jewelry. You should be able to notice a quality piece by its 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. It is important that your pieces are high-quality if you want them to last a long time.

A small but well-cut diamond with high clarity are often times more important than a bigger diamond of lower quality. You must also consider the diamond to really suit the person that’s going to wear it.

Every diamond varies and they all have slight imperfections. Some flaws may be less important to you when you see it in person.

Costume jewelry needs special care. Many costume jewelry pieces are glued rather than set. Avoid using harsh chemicals on these pieces, and do not immerse them. The best way to maintain your costume jewelry is to use a moist, warm cloth first, then dry it off with another cloth. This keeps dirt from building up and making your jewelry look dull.

A good clasp is important to any form of bracelet or necklace. If your jewelry items have unreliable clasps, you might end up losing your jewelry. You can have a safety clasp to secure expensive pieces of jewelry. Some people may even choose to put a second or third clasp on their priceless pieces of jewelry so that they stay safe during wear.

As you read here, it takes a great deal of research, effort and work to buy or sell jewelry. By knowing and doing all of these things, it will be easier to find out how to buy or sell any piece of jewelry. Keep all the tips fresh in your mind, and you will find success.

Your jewelry will stay cleaner if you wait until after you apply make-up to put it on. Dust and grime from makeup gravitates towards jewelry, and putting on your jewelry first can leave it looking dull or dingy. This is even more necessary for earrings and necklaces.