Whether you buy jewelry for yourself or loved ones, get it as a gift or receive valuable heirloom pieces, you need to know how to buy, sell and care for jewelry responsibly. The below article will provide you some very useful tips for maximizing the value from your effort and money that is put into purchasing jewelry.

Be careful when storing all your jewelry together. You should keep the pieces separate in compartments, boxes, holders, and on hooks for better storage. Avoiding piling your nice jewelry pieces into one big heap in a box. This can hurt very fragile jewelry, and tangle necklaces or bracelets.

Jewelry should be stored in an air-tight and humid free area. For maximum protection you can choose to store them inside of a small drawstring or a closed jewelry box. Humidity quickly tarnishes both precious and non-precious metal. Silver polishes work well to remove tarnish, but certain metals, such as bronze, may not polish well. The polish may remove the surface coating and then the metal underneath, such as copper, becomes visible.

Always compare prices before purchasing any diamonds. Look at what you like close up, and compare them to other pieces you have seen. You should be aware that there are many deceptive people trying to sell jewelry; therefore, it is essential to learn and understand what is involved when selecting a new diamond.

Check to see if your jeweler offers an insurance policy before purchasing an item. Insurance policies allow you to bring a defective or broken piece into the jewelry store for repair. In some instances, you can even insure your jewelry against loss or theft.

Try wearing the item for a little while to see if it is comfortable and hangs correctly. In this way, you will be able to tell if the item will withstand normal wear.

When shopping for jewelry, think about the stones in the pieces. Choose stones that complement your complexion and that best reflect your personality. Neutral colored stones go well with many different outfits. A piece that is hard to wear is not as useful as one that goes with everything.

Costume jewelry should be treated differently than your other jewelry. Stones in costume jewelry are usually held in place with glue instead of a physical setting. Do not dip your jewelery in chemicals that may harm them. For best results, use a warmed, damp cloth to wipe your jewelry and then use another cloth to dry it. This will keep any costume jewelry that you have looking great.

To maintain the shine and finish on your jewelry, do not put it on until you’ve done your hair and makeup. All the grime and dust from your makeup attracts jewelry. Therefore, putting on jewelry beforehand can make the piece look dingy. This tip is especially important when it comes to earrings and necklaces.

Jewelry that is well-cared for is important, both for its monetary worth and its sentimental value. By educating yourself on proper jewelry care and maintenance, you can preserve the money and memories invested in your pieces. With the vast amount of information available on jewelry, you may never stop learning how to get the most out of the jewelry you own. By continuing to absorb this information, you can care for your jewelry this way.