There is no such thing as knowing too much when it comes to jewelry, especially when what you know is useful, practical and extensive. Knowing about valuable jewelry is especially important if you want to ensure you get a fair price on every piece. What follows are some common sense jewelry tips that will help prevent you from making these costly mistakes. This information will help you choose and take care of your jewelry pieces and avoid some of the more common mistakes.

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. Throwing the jewelry together into the jewelry box is a no-no. Storing them improperly can damage the fragile pieces, and necklaces can get tangled with other pieces.

Good jewelry will last a lifetime. To ensure you are buying a quality piece, refuse to deal with anybody but the most reputable of jewelers. Quality jewelry will be constructed to last, and show a fine attention to detail. The jeweler will be able to provide a complete history of the piece of jewelry, including who made it, and exactly where the stones originated. Unless you purchase jewelry that is of high-quality, the piece is not likely to last a lifetime.

When purchasing jewelry from a respected jeweler, inquire as to whether they offer an insurance policy. You want to know if they will be able to repair or replace the piece if it was to break. Some jewelers even offer insurance for jewelry pieces that have been misplaced or stolen.

Keep your jewelry from getting tarnished in order to keep it looking it’s best. Try not to wear jewelry when you are around water. If you let some metals get wet too often, they can tarnish, rust or become dull. Apply clear nail polish to your jewelery as an added protection.

If you like to buy costume jewelry, make sure that you examine the condition carefully. Costume jewelery pieces can be expensive but they are not worth the investment if they look too old. An item in good condition holds its value better in the long run.

Costume Jewelry

Costume jewelry should be treated differently than your other jewelry. That’s because a lot of the costume settings are not set-in; they have usually been glued. Don’t immerse costume jewelry in water or use chemicals on it. The best way to care for your jewelry is to use one damp cloth to wipe it followed by a dry one to dry it. This will clean off any residue and make it look like new, without damaging it.

You should always know what you plan on doing with jewelry when purchasing it. You do not need a huge box of jewelry you will never wear. Think about the outfits you can wear the jewelry with when you are choosing different pieces.

If you’re going swimming, make sure you take off your jewelery first. The chlorine in pool water is very harsh and may cause your fine jewelry to appear dull. Likewise, salt water can also damage your jewelry. By taking your jewelry off of your body before swimming, you will be protecting it from the harsh chlorine and salt.

Get some robe hooks to display your necklaces and keep them from getting tangled up. You can hang your necklaces in a row and separate them by color and length. Not only is this a decorative touch to your intimate spaces, but it will protect the necklaces from being damaged by excessive contact with other pieces in a small box.

Brand should not be the only consideration when purchasing jewelry. It will be difficult for others to tell where you purchased an item, and if you’re only buying something because of the name, it could very well be overpriced. Many brands offer excellent quality.

For example, choose a beautiful piece of onyx jewelry to attract attention at your next important event. There are many pleasing options that can save you money.

Artificial Ones

It can be hard to tell natural rubies and sapphires from artificial ones. These beautiful stones are chemically and physically identical, but the artificial ones can be supplied for a fraction of the cost of natural flawless ones. Before you buy a piece of jewelry sold as natural sapphire, get a reputable gemologist to examine it for natural inclusions.

One often overlooked stone in jewelry is Alexandrite. The stone’s color morphs from green to purple, changing based on whether you are inside a building or standing outside. Alexandrite is commonly used in rings, earrings and pendants.

It’s no longer uncommon to see people wearing yellow gold and silver jewelry at the same time. To achieve this look, you must own a piece that has each of these metals. Otherwise, the style can look dated and mismatched.

As you approach the very personal decision to invest in jewelry, take special care to make purchases that fall within your current budget. Taking out a loan for a ring or necklace is a bad idea. Engaged couples who are young and not yet financially sound are better off purchasing an inexpensive starter ring. In later years, when finances are more abundant, a more expensive replacement could be purchased.

Gently rub the piece with a damp cloth, to keep the setting’s integrity. Then pat the piece with a soft clothe to dry the piece adequately. When caring for fashion jewelry, you must never allow it to come into contact with steam or harsh chemicals.

One way to get the most out a fairly modest diamond is to get an illusion setting for it. This means a mirroring plate will be placed under the diamond. The diamond then reflects off the mirror, which causes it to appear bigger and more glittery. The difficulties of doing it this way is that it can be tough to repair.

Well, it’s easy when you know how. This article has just touched on a few of things that you should know about this very rewarding hobby. There is much to learn, but at least you’ve now got a few good ideas to put to work.