Forms of jewelry have been around for thousands of years. Jewelry makes a great fashion statement and a great piece of accessory to complete any number of outfits. There are many decisions to make when it comes to purchasing, making or gifting jewelry. Use the tips below to make the right choices when it comes to selecting the jewelry that’s right for you.

You can keep the jewelry in your collection sparkling by using a special polishing cloth. With this method, you can simply shine it up and not deal with the hassle of using cleaners. Use the two-sided cloth to polish your jewelry as if you were cleaning glass. First you should use the polish side, then use the shining side to really make your jewelry look stunning!

Protect yourself when purchasing diamonds by keeping written documents of your purchases as proof. This is the only way that you can prove the 4 C’s you were guaranteed when you purchased the piece or stone. Treat your sales receipts and appraisals as contracts of what you can expect from your purchase, especially if they are not up to the quality you were guaranteed.

When storing your fine jewelry in a chest or case, wrap each piece in a small piece of velvet cloth. That way harder gemstones will not scratch softer gemstones and metals. It also helps pieces not get tangled with themselves and the velvet helps to keep the pieces safe from excess moisture.

A great source for unique and inexpensive jewelry pieces are local thrift shops. Local thrift stores can be a treasure trove for antique and truly unusual pieces. Often, these establishments do not have the staff, training or time, that is necessary to check for hallmarks or gold and silver content. A few dollar’s investment can often yield, not only some really unique pieces of jewelry, but also some pieces that may be, quite valuable.

Even though some of the pieces may be attractive, you should stay away from gold filled jewelry. No matter what the seller may say, gold filled jewelry can turn your skin green and the colors can fade away. The best thing to do if you do not know if it is gold filled is to just not buy it.

To help you make chainmaille jewelry, it is important that you choose your tools wisely. The handle of your pliers should fit comfortably in your hands and the tip should be sturdy. This will help you to manipulate the wire with the most ease and comfort, preventing unnecessary strain and pain.

If you plan to make and sell your own jewelry as a quick way of generating extra income on the side, opt to focus on pieces that you can quickly make without sacrificing quality or style. This ensures that you are adequately compensated for your time and efforts used to create the piece.

When giving a woman jewelry is it important to be creative when giving it to her. Women love excitement, and if you can find a fun and exciting way to give her the jewelry she may like it even more. She will forever have a story to tell to her friends and family about how sweet and creative you were when you gave her the piece of jewelry.

Be sure to get your higher-end jewelry insured. You really never know what could happen and when. You can lose a gem because the prong gets weak or someone can just steal it. By getting it insured, you will have it protected and be able to replace it if something does happen.

Rubbing alcohol is excellent for removing tarnish from sterling silver jewelry. You can either, soak the jewelry item in a small cup of rubbing alcohol for a few minutes or wrap the jewelry in a paper towel and pour rubbing alcohol over it. Let it soak for about 5 minutes and then polish with a soft, dry cloth.

When you purchase your diamond engagement ring, see if you can get a Botswana diamond. Botswana produces wonderful diamonds under safe and fair conditions, and the money that the diamond industry earns is invested in their country to provide good education, roads, waterworks and other things that the people of Botswana need. A Botswana diamond is an investment in good Karma!

Labradorite makes a popular and easy to care for alternative to multicolored stones like opal. It has a similar play of color, although the primary color that reflects off of labradorite is blue, rather than all colors of the rainbow. However, you don’t have to keep it moist to prevent it from cracking.

When shopping for jewelry, keep in mind the „cost per use“ factor. If you will only wear those gorgeous, dangly diamond earrings a handful of times, calculate how much money you are paying for each time you wear them. Pieces that you wear daily – like your wedding ring – are worth spending more money on, because your cost per use will be lower, and they will see more wear and tear.

If you are cleaning your jewelry at home, make sure that you use warm water and a mild soap. Rinse very thoroughly to make sure that there is no residue left on the metal. Dry well and leave to air dry completely. Water left on precious metals can leave residual water stains.

Rings, bracelets, necklaces, and other jewelry should be removed prior to participation in any physical work, exercise, or team sport. Sweat and oils can damage your jewelry. Also, increased physical movement makes it especially easy to snag prongs or dislodge stones from their settings. Furthermore, jewelry that has fallen off during activity is less likely to be found afterward.

As the beginning of this article mentioned, jewelry has been a part of mankind for thousands of years as a great adornment for outfits. Jewelry makes a lasting statement and shows a great deal of your personality. Apply the tips from the article above to go on your way in becoming an expert in selecting the right jewelry choices for you and others.