Have you ever considered buying a new jewelry piece to match a particular item of clothing, or to give your overall style a little oomph? Or maybe you want to buy a gift for a close friend. You are sure to find useful advice in this selection of tips and tricks.

To distinguish between real and fake, bring a magnet when you shop for sterling silver jewelry. If the piece you are examining is not silver and is made from non-precious metal, it will be attracted to the magnet. True sterling sliver always has some sort of hallmark stamp on it, such as .925, sterling or ster. If the piece of presumed silver is not marked, be skeptical that is real silver. It could very well be a fake.

Your diamond shopping experience is missing something important if you are not comparison shopping. Look at what you like close up, and compare them to other pieces you have seen. Don’t fall for any of the tricks used by shady dealers. They employ these tactics to make a diamond look better than it really is.

Be sure to pay attention to details like type of metal and shape. This will give you a good idea of where to start when purchasing that special item.

Ask about any insurance a jeweler may offer when you are buying jewelry. If your jewelry gets damaged or broken, you can come back to the store and have it repaired or replaced. Many jewelers also have insurance for lost or stolen pieces.

Wearing the jewelry yourself can help you decide if it will be appropriate for your intended recipient. This will also let you know how the piece holds up in every day environments.

You should always make an effort to properly care for all of your jewelry. Various settings, types of metals, and gemstones need different types of care to protect them and make sure they get cleaned properly. Along the same lines, enhancing different stones and settings requires you to take different steps. Talk with a professional if you aren’t sure what sort of care each jewel requires.

Costume Jewelry

Costume jewelry needs special care. Many of their settings are glued instead of set. Therefore, you shouldn’t get costume jewelry wet or expose it to harsh chemicals. Use a gentle cloth, like microfiber, to clean it. One wet, then another, dry. This will ensure that all of your costume jewelry looks like it did the day you bought it.

Have a unique piece of jewelry made for the special person on your gift list. A one-of-a-kind jewelry piece is a great way to show someone how much they mean to you.

Your jewelry will stay cleaner if you wait until after you apply make-up to put it on. The sparkle of a piece of jewelry is a magnet for loose or wet makeup, which will leave it tarnished and dingy. Earrings and necklaces are especially prone to this kind of contamination.

When deciding on which jewelry pieces to buy, look through the sales advertisements. You can save huge amounts of money if you are savvy. Check for great sales online, in the newspaper, and even storefront windows. Sometimes, you can save about half the original price on trendy pieces that aren’t as trendy anymore.

Both steam and dry saunas are included. The amount of moisture and heat can damage the pieces.

If you’re giving a special person in your life a present, you should consider buying a jewelry set. Many jewelry stores offer deals on sets of jewelry. You can separate pieces of the set and gift a piece to your loved one every holiday season. This way, you can ensure that you don’t have to worry about getting a gift at the last minute, and you know that it will match what they already own.

If you plan to invest a great deal of money in a piece of jewelry, opt for a piece that will last many years. High-priced jewelry is usually high in quality, but don’t forget to consider styles. Even though a piece of jewelry is the latest trend right now, it might look outlandish in just a few years. Decide on timeless pieces that will stay in fashion.

You are now armed with the information you need to make better purchasing decisions when it comes to jewelry. No longer shall you find gemstones, diamonds, beads or precious metals overwhelming and daunting. Use the advice you’ve learned here to make your jewelry an investment that you will treasure for years to come.

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