Jewelry is one of the most ancient and long-lasting decorative art forms in the world. For countless generations, people have bought and given jewelry to beautify each other, commemorate memorable occasions, and pay tribute to important relationships. Read this article for some useful hints for joining in the historical family of happy jewelry owners.

Comparison shopping is a must when shopping for diamonds. Start by finding what you like, and then begin comparing it with other pieces. There are deceptive tricks that can be used to enhance a diamond, so you need to be on the lookout.

You don’t have to settle with the traditional clear diamonds. Diamonds are available in practically every color in the rainbow. They come in blue, pink, red, yellow, brown, black, purple and many more colors. You can find pieces where colored diamonds are the focal point or you can find pieces where they act like accents.

Jewelry is often very difficult to purchase for a friend or loved one because there are as many different styles and types of jewelry as there are people to wear it. Bracelets are a great solution for many and are available in a huge variety of styles made for the fanciest of occasions to casual every-day wear. Plain silver and gold bangles are a staple for most women, but charm or sliding-bead style bracelets offer the buyer and the wearer the ability to completely customize the bracelet, as well as give the presenter a whole host of additional gifts to give in the future with the purchase of more charms or beads.

Use a toothbrush and small bit of toothpaste to clean your precious gems. This works really well on diamonds. The toothpaste is a non-abrasive scrubber and the toothbrush is small enough to get into those little nooks and crannies. This method is safe to use as often as you like.

Enroll in a beading class, if you’re a fan of necklaces and bracelets. If you are buying them all of the time, this can put a dent in your budget. Instead, take a class and make some jewelry yourself. You will save a ton over buying already made products, have something unique to wear, and you can even sell some of your pieces for a profit.

Keep your jewelry from getting tarnished in order to keep it looking it’s best. Remove your jewelry if you plan on spending time in or near water. If you let some metals get wet too often, they can tarnish, rust or become dull. To give jewelry an added layer of protection apply a thin layer of clear nail lacquer.

Avoid letting your jewelry come into contact with chemicals, such as those found in hairspray, lotion, perfume and other products. Some chemicals can stain or otherwise damage precious metals and stones. Porous stones like pearls, opal or turquoise should not be submersed in water for long, either, to prevent damage.

When you are working with any kind of silver there is one word that you should always keep in mind – polish! If you polish your silver regularly it will keep it shiny and beautiful for much longer. This helps to extend the life of the piece as well as look newer for longer.

Understanding the different cuts of a diamond will make your jewelry purchase much easier. The cut of a diamond refers to the actual cut of the diamond, not the shape of the diamond. The cut is extremely important when making a diamond jewelry purchase because it determines the brilliance and the overall sparkle factor associated with the item.

When you are viewing diamonds it is important that you do not look at them while they are sitting against a black background. You may perceive color differently and choose a diamond that is not really what you are looking for. Make sure to view it under a magnifier so you will see any flaws it may have.

To get cheaper rates on your jewelry-making supplies, try to take advantage of discounts and sales. Several chain hobby and craft stores sell basic supplies that you can use when making jewelry (such as thread, pliers, beads, etc), and these frequently can go on sale, sometimes up to 50% off. If you need to purchase items that are not sold in local stores, do research online before settling on a place to purchase from.

Gold prices are higher than ever and are expected to continue rising. As a result, silver rings, bracelets, and necklaces in 92.5 percent silver are a better bet for your money. Avoid purchasing pieces that are made of so-called „German silver“ or „nickel silver“ as they contain little to no actual silver.

If you are planning to purchase a piece of jewelry for your wife or girlfriend but do not want to ruin the surprise, do some detective work. Stealthily, sneak a peek in her jewelry box or simply pay attention to the pieces that she wears the most. Take note of details like whether she favors gold or silver, thick or delicate chains, or diamonds versus colored stones or pearls. This information will help both you and the salesperson narrow down the selection.

When considering jewelry for your wedding, be sure that you consider the option of renting the jewelry for yourself and/or your entire wedding party. This is important because you can save a lot of money and nobody in attendance will know either way. It is only important that you look your best.

The most important aspect of choosing what jewelry to wear is color- design appeal has its place, but the immediate effect a piece has on an observer will be to impress the color combination between the jewelry, the skin, and clothing and other jewelry. Try to create interesting and non-chaotic color combinations when choosing jewelry to wear with an outfit.

While styles and fashions change, jewelry itself is here to stay. You and your loved ones can hardly get through life without acquiring at least a few pieces of jewelry. Ideally this article has shown you a few handy ways to improve the jewelry-owning experience. When it is treated properly, jewelry can become your most valuable and enduring possession.