Because jewelry is personal, it’s prized as a token of love, pride and accomplishment. Even small pieces of jewelry can have big significance. Follow this article to learn how to buy and give jewelry to others.

Do not use harsh chemicals such as ammonia, bleach, turpentine or acetone to clean them. These chemicals can turn stones dull and even erode the enamel.

Take a moment to consider how your valuable jewelry is stored and sorted. Precious metals and certain gemstones will tarnish if they are exposed to humidity, so keep the away from this. Don’t just toss your jewelry in a pile. Not only will your necklaces become hopelessly tangled, you risk harming any fragile pieces as they bump and scrape against each other as you search the box.

Store your jewelry in a place that is not subjected to humidity extremes or open air. To maximize protection, put your …