Jewelry is more than a simple accessory choice for most people. In many cases, jewelry is also a big investment. With a few simple steps, you can protect both the appearance and the value of your jewelry collection. This article contains some helpful and effective tips for maintaining your favorite jewelry.

Many people see jewelry labeled as sterling silver plated and oftentimes think they’ve hit the jackpot when they purchase it at a very low price. In this case unfortunately, you do get what you pay for. This type of jewelry only contains a very thin coating of sterling silver on top of a cheap metal which can usually be identified as copper. The jewelry will eventually tarnish and cause the copper to show through underneath with enough wear.

Do not attempt to shine your silver or gold jewelry with toothpaste. It is simply an incorrect home remedy that many try to pass off as fact that it works. The chemicals in toothpaste will erode your jewelry causing the gemstones to permanently lose their luster. For only a few dollars you can buy a proper polishing cloth and jewelry shining liquid.

When you are going in with a mindset to buy quality jewelry it is of utmost importance that you are going to a reputable dealer of jewelry. Otherwise, you may in fact be duped and pay a lot for something that is not worth much. Make sure that the sales representatives can show they quality of the item.

Finding the right piece of jewelry to wear for a special occasion can be a hard task. If wearing your hair in an up-do, a pair of dangling earrings may look nice. Whereas if you are wearing a dress with a “busy” pattern, a simple necklace and studded earrings might be more appropriate. Base your jewelry off of your outfit and what will complement it, and you will be sure to find the right piece for that special occasion.

Buying jewelry for someone else can be challenging. Look at what they choose for themselves and try to find something similar. Avoid sized items like rings unless you know what their size is. If you guess, what’s going to happen if you guess wrong? It may help to go window shopping with them and see if they mention a certain store, brand, or even a specific item.

Personalized jewelry will never fail as a gift, especially for Mother’s Day. A ring with the birthstones of all her children will make a Mom beam with delight. You could also get a bangle bracelet with her childrens’ names engraved on the inside. My favourite is a ring with “I Love You” engraved on the inside.

Make sure your jewelry matches at least a few of your outfits. You do not want to purchase pieces that you can only wear for very special events, as that may be impractical. Finding simple and elegant pieces that match several outfits is not as difficult as it sounds, and you will probably enjoy the search!

When learning a new jewelry-making technique, use cheaper materials. For instance, if you are learning wire techniques, pick up some aluminum or copper wire from a local craft store, instead of using your sterling silver wire. This will help you get the valuable practice you need to master the technique, while sparing your pocketbook. If you mess up on your top-quality materials, they may become unusable.

Find your style in advance. Search an online jewelry store before you make your trip to the jeweler so that you know what you are looking for. Being able to tell the jeweler exactly what style you are looking for will make your trip quicker, as well as making it easier on both you and the salesperson.

To get additional usage out of your rope necklaces, try wearing them as bracelets. A rope necklace can easily be looped around your wrist to create a stylish layered bracelet. This is a great way to get extra utility out of a piece, and is especially effective if you want to change your look over the course of a day.

Keep your silver jewelry untarnished and clean. Your pieces do not look good when they are dirty. You can clean them at home using toothpaste or baking soda. Lightly scrub with the toothpaste or soak in baking soda overnight. You will wake up in the morning to clean shiny silver.

When shopping for an excellent deal on a piece of jewelry, you should consider purchasing a piece that was previously owned. Many of them are just as nice as their matching new pieces, but the costs will be lower. Your significant other will likely appreciate the fact that you made an effort to find a high-quality piece of jewelry at an affordable price.

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.

Chances are that you have developed a strong attachment to many, if not all, of your jewelry pieces. Now you should know how to keep that jewelry safe and beautiful. Following these jewelry maintenance tips regularly is the easiest way to protect your investment in your jewelry collection, while also keeping each piece as impressive as it was the day you bought it.