Have you ever been on your way out the door when you catch a glimpse of your reflection and have the feeling that something is off? Your outfit looks wonderful. Your hair is perfect, and your lipstick isn’t smeared. However, something is out of place. The one thing that is missing is your jewelry. You do not need to wear a lot of jewelry to stylize your outfit. Sometimes a simple piece of jewelry is enough to change the overall look of your outfit.

You should always store your jewelry very carefully. The right jewelry box that has separate compartments, hooks and holders to keep the pieces apart is the best choice. Don’t just box all the pieces together in a pile. This can damage the finer and more fragile pieces, and items like necklaces can entangle with each other and other pieces into a big mess.

Never store your jewelry in open air or humidity. To ensure it is protected, keep your jewelry in a drawstring bag or a jewelry box that is closed. All metals will tarnish if they are subjected to too much air and humidity. Precious metals are able to be polished and retain their luster, but the non-precious metals have a coat, and polishing will cause the metal under it to show through.

Sterling Silver

If you are looking to purchase sterling silver jewelry make sure that you have a magnet with you and a good eye. As a precious metal, silver should never be attracted to a magnet. Look for the hallmark stamped on the piece of jewelry to determine what percentage sterling silver it is. If there is no hallmark, the piece is probably not authentic and may, indeed, be counterfeit.

Make sure that you learn about the jeweler’s insurance policy prior to making any purchases. Then, if something actually happens to the jewelry, you can return it or have it repaired. You should also think about getting additional insurance in cause of theft or loss.

If you wish to keep a piece of jewelry looking fantastic, preventing it from tarnishing is important. Keep your jewelry away from water. Water can cause some metals to lose their luster or to become tarnished or rusty. Apply clear nail polish to your jewelery as an added protection.

There are a lot of different types of stones to think about getting when buying new jewelry. Pick out stones that will reflect your personality and complement your skin tone. Neutral colored stones go well with many different outfits. Buying something that does not work with multiple outfits is pointless.

Costume Jewelry

You need to pay special attention when caring for costume jewelry. These pieces are often put together with glue, which does not last as long as other methods. Never immerse your costume jewelry or use harsh chemicals on it. To clean your jewelry, dampen a cloth with warm water and gently wipe the item. Then use a clean, dry cloth to dry the jewelry. This will make your costume jewelry sparkle for weeks, months, or even years.

Buy jewelry on sale whenever possible. Finding a store offering extreme markdowns is a way to realize tremendous savings. Keep your eyes peeled for sales on the Internet, in the paper, and on storefront displays. If you buy the older fashions that are from the previous season, you can save a lot of money.

If there are knots in your necklaces, you can easily untangle them. Don’t give up on that tangled mass of jewelry. Instead, get a piece of plastic wrap. Put the necklace onto a wrap, and place mineral or baby oil on it. You would then untangle the necklace using needles. Use a mild liquid soap to remove the oil and then pat dry with a towel.

Any type of necklace or bracelet should have a strong clasp. It is very easy for jewelry to be accidentally lost due to a cheap clasp collapsing and giving way. If you have expensive or heirloom items, invest in a safety clasp. There are those who add one or two extra clasps to their expensive jewelry items to be certain of their safety.

Don’t swim wearing your jewelry. Chlorine in pools will damage your pieces causing them to lose their luster. Salt water is similarly abrasive to some jewelry. You can extend the longevity of your pieces and keep their beauty intact by removing them prior to swimming.

Gold Jewelry

High gold prices are only one of the drawbacks of having your heart set on gold jewelry. Though genuine gold is pricey, remember that it can be more affordable if you consider pieces with lower karats. For the best compromise between price and quality, consider 18kt gold jewelry which is comprised of 75-percent pure gold.

You can actually earn money off of your gold bracelets and necklaces without giving them up entirely. Carefully remove an inch or two from the piece, then sell that section. Just be sure to leave enough length so that you can continue to wear it. If it is real gold and you have a few chains, you can make a few hundred dollars by just shortening the pieces.

Rubies deserve their reputation as a very popular gemstone. Although true rubies are a rich, bright red, many stones are available in color variations that range from rosy pinks to deep maroons. In addition, they’re very durable and can resist various chemicals. They make a great choice for jewelry due to its strength and beauty.

The above article describes many different ways that jewelry can accent your clothing. Jewelry comes in many different styles, including those for the office, for the formal dinner, and for the dance floor. As you prepare to spend a night on the town, add a few pieces to your outfit.