In the sparkly world of jewelry, it is important to make sure that you are buying or selling your pieces wisely. That is where doing smart research on jewelry comes in handy. This will help you to be more informed so that you can buy or sell and not lose money. Follow these tips to get started with learning about jewelry.

Consider buying a small barrel tumbler. If you wear a lot of jewelry or just want to keep the pieces you own in good condition, you probably clean it on a fairly regular basis. You might want to get a small barrel tumbler for polishing. They are inexpensive and do a thorough job.

Don't spend a lot of money purchasing cheap costume jewelry. Costume jewelry does sell in more designs and cost significantly less than fine store gold jewelry. Yet, over the course of a few months or years, costume jewelry loses its color which causes the cheap metal to show through underneath. Invest in one or two pieces of fine jewelry that are sure to last a lifetime.

When purchasing a ring make sure that you're purchasing a ring in your proper size. It can be hard to find rings in half sizes, but it is possible. Don't purchase a size up and consider having it re-sized. Resizing is oftentimes a lot more expensive than purchasing another silver ring in your size.

If wearing earrings makes your ears feel itchy or irritated, ensure that you buy nickel-free jewelry in the future. Nickel is often used in inexpensive costume jewelry, but it can be very irritating to some people. Look for earrings with solid gold or platinum posts for the most hypoallergenic option.

When buying jewelry, you may want to consider lab-created stones. Gems created in a lab can be just as beautiful as natural gemstones, but they are often less expensive. You may be able to buy a much larger lab-made stone for the same price as a smaller natural stone. If you have ethical concerns, lab-made is definitely the way to go.
If you're having a difficult time finding that perfect piece of jewelry, consider buying a stone and visiting with a specialist. A jewelry specialist can design a setting just for you, in exactly the way you are envisioning it to be. Your piece will be unique and possibly more valuable because of it's one of a kind nature.

An simple way to get the most mileage from you jewelry is to invest in a jewelry box. It is easy to get stuck in a rut, wearing the same pieces of jewelry over and over, if your jewelry collection is a jumbled mess. A jewelry box will get you organized and reintroduce you to pieces you forgot you had.

To remove tarnish from your physical silver jewelry without harsh chemicals, line the inside of a pot with aluminum foil, and add four cups of water and an eighth of a cup each of baking soda, salt and dish soap. Gently place all of your pieces into the liquid, counting them as you go. Bring the mixture up to a simmer for a couple of minutes, then turn off the burner and allow it to soak. Pour everything gently through a colander, then place the pieces on a towel to dry, counting them as you go.

As you can see from the previous list of tips, jewelry buying or selling can really make a difference, especially, in terms of things like prices. It takes some research, asking questions and doing some legwork, but it is all worth it in the end, to either get the jewelry you desire or to make sure that someone else does.