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.

When dealing with precious and fragile stone jewelry, take them to get professionally cleaned. This is much better than scratching or destroying them yourself with regular jewelry cleaners. Even the jewelry cloths may be too much for some stones. Make sure though that they are not cleaned too often as this can be very counterproductive and actually weaken the stones.

When jewelry shopping, you need to be prepared to carefully look, and inspect anything that you may want to buy. You need to get a loupe. This is a small pocket-sized magnifier that can show you what kind of quality you will be getting. It magnifies the jewelry so that you can inspect it to see if you are getting something of bad quality or good quality.

The world of body piercing has taken body jewelry to new heights. Many people like the feeling of having their tongues pierced, but having metal jewelry in your mouth can be damaging to your teeth. There are many colorful options available for plastic tongue jewelry that is safer for your mouth and won’t make your dentist cringe.

When giving a piece of jewelry to someone, you must always remember to keep the receipt. This applies to almost anything you purchase, but this definitely applies to a piece of jewelry because of how expensive it is. If you want to return the piece of jewelry for whatever reason, you need the receipt to get your money back. Otherwise, you will be stuck with a useless piece of jewelry that you spent lots of money on.

You can safely clean your jewelry at home. Mix a small amount of mild detergent in water. Allow your dirty jewelry to soak for several minutes and then gently scrub it with a soft toothbrush. Finish the cleaning by rinsing your jewelry in clean water and allowing it to air dry.

To keep silver jewelry tarnish-free between wearings, wrap the item in a jeweler’s polishing cloth and then seal the piece, cloth and all, in a plastic bag. Polishing cloths come in many sizes and are very economical. The cloth provides padded protection to even the most delicate chains and the plastic bag keeps air, which causes tarnish, from touching the jewelry. When ready to wear, give the piece a rub with the cloth for shine and you’re set to go!

When purchasing jewelry, have a friend or family member go with you. They can assist you as you are selecting a piece of jewelry, and they can also remind you of important details that you may have forgotten, like the ring size or favorite gemstone of the person you are buying for. A companion can also keep you from getting overwhelmed as you shop.

Make sure that the gold on the piece of jewelry you are buying is real. Many jewelers try to sell fake gold as real gold, and you do not want to pay good money for fake gold. To tell if it is real, use a magnet. Real gold does not stick to a magnet, so if it does stick, then it is fake.

Avoid buying jewelry while gold and silver prices are high. Shop around and look for bargains when it is necessary to purchase a ring while gold is at an all time high. Shopping at locally owned jewelry stores and staying away from large chain stores, will help you find a quality and reasonably priced piece of jewelry.

Have your jewelry be the last thing you put on and the first thing you take off, when undressing and bathing. This helps limit potential damage to your jewelry from everyday activities, and also helps remind you to put it away so that it doesn’t get misplaced. The less time you wear your jewelry, the less chance it has of becoming damaged.

If you want to create jewelry yourself, subscribe to magazines or newsletter on this topic. Many people have this hobby, and the most talented artisans out there are always happy to share their secrets. Make sure you learn from the best and share your tips once you become more comfortable.

If a piece of jewelry starts to darken or turn black, the problem may not be a matter of quality of the piece. This effect can actually be traced to a high acid content in the wearer’s skin. Often, but not always, a high acid content may also indicate a higher probability of an allergic reaction to metal alloys.

If you are looking for diamond jewelry of any kind, remember to ask if the diamond you are considering is „conflict free“. Diamonds that are not conflict free may have been indirectly the cause of a great deal of suffering and even death. Conflict free diamonds are mined, processed, and exported under exacting conditions that do not allow any illegal activity or violence.

Enamelled jewelry has long been popular for its bright colors, reflective nature, and extreme durability. It is no longer restricted to pins, but can now be found everywhere, including such disparate places as watches, earrings, and pins. It’s great for all ages because it has all the durability of metal and can be as bright or subdued as you like.

When you are shopping for jewelry with gemstones, be aware that „synthetic“ and „created“ are not synonyms when it comes to gems. A „created“ gem is one formed of the same materials as a natural stone, though they are produced in a laboratory instead of the ground. „Synthetic“ stones are to be avoided, as they are mere imitations made from cheap materials.

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.