Selling or buying jewelry requires a massive amount of research and knowledge in order to obtain pieces that you want or need. With all the information that you need, it can be tough to know where to start.

Take a magnet and a keen eye with you when you head out to purchase any jewelry made from sterling silver. As a precious metal, silver should never be attracted to a magnet. If your silver is sterling, you will also notice a mark on the piece. This mark might state .925, sterling, or ster. Be wary of jewelery without any kind of hallmark, as often it is fake.

Make sure you know what kind of gem you are getting when you are buying jewelry. Gemstones now come in natural as well as synthetic and imitation types. Imitation gems are basically plastic that is colored, while synthetic and natural are real. Natural gems are those that are actually from the earth, whereas synthetic ones are made in labs.

Before committing yourself to a piece, do research to determine which styles are hot and which are not. Purchasing a new trinket to add to your collection is always delightful, especially if you find it on sale.

Ask about a jeweler’s insurance policy before buying anything. Many stores offer a policy where you can bring broken or damaged jewelry back to the original jeweler for repair at little to no cost. For more expensive pieces, look for a jeweler that offers insurance for lost or stolen items.

Keep your jewelry free of tarnish to make it look its best. Avoid wearing your jewelry near water. Many types of metal will become dulled, tarnished, or rusty when exposed to it. Painting a thin layer of clear-colored nail polish on your metal jewelry can add a protective barrier to it.

Try wearing the item for a little while to see if it is comfortable and hangs correctly. Doing this also tells you how well it stands up to normal daily wear.

Try on a few different stones when you are shopping for jewelry. Choose stones that complement your complexion and that best reflect your personality. Neutral colored stones go well with many different outfits. Don’t even bother to buy something that doesn’t function properly.

You need to learn the best ways to take care of your jewelry. Metals, gemstones and settings all have different storage and cleaning requirements. Something that may help one piece of jewelry might hurt another one. If you can’t find information about caring for a specific piece of jewelry, consult a trusted jeweler.

Your belt will get a little pizzazz if you accent it with a brooch like this. Pin it in the front or at your hip.

To maintain the shine and finish on your jewelry, do not put it on until you’ve done your hair and makeup. Dirt and oil accumulate in the small crevices of jewelry, and can make it look dull and shabby. This is even more necessary for earrings and necklaces.

If you are interested in acquiring new jewelry pieces, try to find great sales. Jewelry sales can save you a significant amount of cash. Check the newspaper, the Internet, and signs in store windows to find the best sales. Buying styles that are waning in popularity is often an excellent way to save money on original jewelry.

The size of the diamond is not as important as its cut and clarity. Also, keep in mind the personality of the person you are giving the diamond to.

Comparison shopping is vital to the diamond-buying process. Every single diamond is unique and has individual flaws. Some flaws may be less important to you once you actually see it in person. Also, jewelers can adjust prices based on a specific diamond’s particular condition. You should always shop around to find the best possible diamond for a price that you can afford.

If you’re giving a special person in your life a present, you should consider buying a jewelry set. You can often find great deals on jewelry sets. You can split up the set and give the loved one a piece of jewelry as each holiday comes around. It is an awesome way to be sure that the gift that you give them on the following occasions is something that they will love.

Try using robe hooks for storing your necklaces in a tangle-free way. These will go nicely on a closet door or wall. You can use more than one by lining them in a row, and you can hang the necklaces by length or color. Hanging your necklaces will keep them looking nice, keep them from becoming tangled together and can work as a beautiful display as well.

When buying an expensive jewelry piece, you want it to last for many years. Quality is normally a given with higher expense, however, style should be considered as well. Very often pieces that are currently trendy wind up looking foolish later. Look for something classic and timeless.

You may not have to sell your gold jewelry to get money out of your necklaces and bracelets. Just cut off any excess. If you have enough of these pieces, you can clip off so little that people won’t even notice the difference. You can actually make a tidy sum by selling off odds and ends of jewelry in this manner.

Rubies have always been known to be a very fine jewelry stone and for good reason. While the rubies most are familiar with have deep red color, rubies also come in a variety of shades ranging from deep rose to almost maroon. They are very durable and can resist being hit and stand up to many chemicals. Their strength and unique beauty make them an excellent choice for most people.

As you can see, selling or buying jewelery requires you do your homework, and some hard work, so you can get the most out of it either way. Keeping the aforementioned tips in mind, you are well on your way to being successful with them.