It takes a lot of homework to buy or sell jewelery and get the most out of it. This can make you wonder where to begin.

Jewelry should be stored in an air-tight and humid free area. Trying putting them in a box with a tight-fitting lid or a bag that has a drawstring closure. Precious, as well as non-precious metals, will tarnish if they are exposed to humidity and air over time. The thing about this is that non-precious metals cannot fully recover from this because underneath, the copper shows through. However, keep in mind that precious metals can go back to their own original forms.

When you go shopping for sterling silver jewelry pieces, take with you a magnet and a monocle. Use the magnet to detect fake jewelry; real silver will not be attracted to the magnet, but the cheaper metals will. You can identify sterling silver by its markings, for example “sterling,” “ster,” or “.925.” If the piece of presumed silver is not marked, be skeptical that is real silver. It could very well be a fake.

You could wear it for a day to make sure it is not uncomfortable. By wearing it yourself, you can also gauge the ruggedness of the piece.

Know how to keep your jewelry beautiful. Various settings, types of metals, and gemstones need different types of care to protect them and make sure they get cleaned properly. Not all jewelry should be cared for in the same way. If you can’t find information about caring for a specific piece of jewelry, consult a trusted jeweler.

You need to take special care of costume jewelry. A lot of the stones in costume jewelery are glued in and not set in. Take care not to use chemicals or lots of water in an attempt to clean your costume jewelry. Use a damp cloth, then dry it with another clean, dry cloth. This will ensure that your costume jewelry looks perfect.

When you buy a piece of jewelry, know what your plans for it are. There is no need to purchase a large amount of jewelry that you never plan on wearing. Think about the outfits you can wear the jewelry with when you are choosing different pieces.

It is crucial that all bracelets and necklaces have good clasps. Weak clasps can cause the loss of expensive pendants, chains and stones. It is always in your best interest to fit expensive pieces with a safety clasp. Adding more than one clasp to a jewelry piece may even be appropriate to provide greater security against loss.

If you’re going swimming, make sure you take off your jewelery first. Swimming pools contain chlorine, which can age many types of jewelry prematurely. Likewise, salt water can also damage your jewelry. Taking jewelry off before getting in the water will protect it and extend the life of the jewelry.

Learning how to make informed decisions on the buying and selling of jewelry takes time and effort. We have provided you with some great tips that offer a solid starting point. Use them well and you’ll be on the way to successful purchases and sales.