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 can you look to find information about jewelry in relation to artistic tradition? You will help turn you need to become an educated jewelry consumer.If you are shopping for 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 will always find a hallmark stamp such as “.925” or “STER.” on genuine sterling, or alternately,” “ster,” or “.925.” If a particular piece is not stamped, then be wary of whether it is actually silver or not.Keep your whole jewelry collection sparkling with a polishing cloth. This is a chemical-free method to maintain the appearance of your fine jewelry. Buff your jewelry with the two-sided cloth, just as if you were cleaning a glass. First use the polishing side, and finish with the other side to make it shine.Know which kind of gems before you are buying with your jewelry. The types of gems available are synthetic, imitation and synthetic. Natural gems and synthetic gems are real gemstones, while an imitation gemstone is just a plastic mold made to look like a gemstone. Natural stones are dug up out of the ground and synthetic ones are created in a lab.Jewelry is an investment that should last generations. When you are ready to chose your next selection of jewelry, a reputable jeweler is indispensable to ensuring you get quality items. A high-quality piece of jewelry should be well-made and feature superior craftsmanship. A jeweler should know about each piece he sells, 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 jewelry if you want them to last a treasured heirloom passed down for generations.Arm yourself with a magnet and a magnifying glass when shopping for sterling silver jewelry. By using the magnet you can quickly determine if the jewelry item is made of a cheaper metal and not sterling silver. Your sterling silver jewelery should always be imprinted if it is real. The stamp may read “.925” or “ster”. If there is no marking on the piece, it may not be sterling silver.Look at what you like close up, and keep that in mind so you can compare it with other diamonds you look at. Be careful of tricks that some dealers will use cheap tactics to make a diamond look better than it is.

Pay attention to the types, sizes, and any other typical jewelry that they wear. This will give you a great place to start when purchasing that special item.Before you buy a gemstone, ask what type of gemstone it is. Gemstones come in three different varieties: natural, imitation and synthetic. Both synthetic and natural gems are real; however, imitation is simply plastic. Natural gemstones are mined, while synthetic gems are artificially grown.Costume jewelry can prove to be a good investment, but an item that shows major signs of usage will be a poor investment of your time and money. A piece that is in good condition will be much more resourceful to you in value.Wear the jewelry around for at least a day to see if it hangs correctly and is comfortable. This will also help you know how the piece is sufficiently durable.Quality jewelry should stay beautiful forever. Always purchase pieces from reputable jewelers in order to make sure you are getting quality pieces. Quality jewelry will be constructed to last, and show a fine attention to detail. Ask the jeweler about the history behind the piece and learn more about who made it, as well as the origin of the materials. It is important that your pieces are high-quality if you want them to last a long time.Jewelry has many different and interesting aspects. However, if you conduct your research properly, you can ensure that the pieces you purchase are of the highest quality, and that the way you care for them will keep them beautiful for many years to come. Being a part of the jewelry world is fun and rewarding, so enjoy! Following many of the tips given should be useful for the first steps of your journey.