Taking the next step into the wondrous and complex land of jewelry can sometimes be quite challenging. Choosing the right pieces, buying at the best prices, cleaning without ruining, or selling to make a profit, are all fraught with a certain difficulty. However, by keeping the helpful tips listed below in mind, you will soon find yourself acting like a pro in the field!

Save some of your most fragile jewelry for special occasions only. Some fragile stones like opal and peridot should only be worn for special events and then carefully stored until the next occasion. This may seem irritating since you want to be able to wear your best pieces, but it can prolong their life if you avoid exposing them to harm too often.

When storing your fine jewelry in a chest or case, wrap each piece in a small piece of velvet cloth. That way harder gemstones will not scratch softer gemstones and metals. It also helps pieces not get tangled with themselves and the velvet helps to keep the pieces safe from excess moisture.

When shopping for jewelry, you may need to check what kind of metal you’re buying. Everyone’s heard of a cheap necklace turning skin green, but you may also have a bad reaction to certain metals in earrings. For earrings, look for items labeled “sensitive skin” or for stainless steel, silver, or gold.

If you’re trying to buy a diamond on a budget, look for one that has slight inclusions and is a less than perfect color of white. Often times, you cannot even see the inclusions and “off” color with the naked eye, but it can save you hundreds or thousands on the price of the stone.

So, after reading and applying the helpful tips listed above, you should feel a bit more at ease in the wonderland that is jewelry. You should feel empowered and ready to act like a seasoned trader. What a wonderful hobby or business involvement with jewelry can be!