Jewelry is one of the few things that almost everyone agrees is nice. That being said it is very easy to use jewelry in poor taste or even in a tacky way. This article contains some tips about maintaining and using jewelry properly so that you can avoid faux pas such as these.

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.

If you have a light ivory skin tone with darker hair, consider purchasing jewelry in silver, white gold or platinum. The silvery colors look elegant set against an ivory skin tone especially if you have brown or black hair. Make sure to choose darker gemstones such as green, black or deep blue.

If you lose the butterfly backing for your post earrings, you can easily replace them. Any local craft stores carry replacement backings for post earrings in the jewelry making aisles. You can find them in different metals such as sterling silver, gold plating, silver plating or silver tone metal. You no longer have to throw your old earrings out, you can replace the backing quite affordably.

If you are not too fond of wearing a wedding or engagement ring on your finger, you can always put it on a chain. This is a safe way to ensure your ring will not fall off. Also, by putting your ring on a chain, it will not be in the way of your daily activities.

Find a reputable seller. Ask your friends, family, and acquaintances where they believe you should attempt to find your jewelry. Finding a jeweler that is recommended by trusted individuals can give you an advantage to shopping around. You will know in advance what experiences others may have had, and be able to prepare better.

When it comes to showing off your personality through jewelry, most of the time you can make a larger statement with less. Choose bold, dramatic pieces, but limit yourself to wearing one or two at a time. A sophisticated pair of chandelier earrings can set off an outfit on it’s own, and sometimes a flashy cocktail ring is the only glitz you need to draw attention.

When selling jewelry online, you must be certain to present information as accurately as you possibly can. If you do not know about a certain feature, you should be certain to admit this. Otherwise, you could have an angry customer file a misrepresentation claim against you for not letting him or her know about a certain feature.

Stick to one stand-out piece of jewelry per outfit, and choose simpler pieces for the rest. If you are wearing long, shoulder-grazing earrings, for instance, keep your necklace simple. This gives the eyes somewhere to rest and keeps your ensemble from looking too busy.

When selling jewelry online, you should aim to offer as many alterations as you can. A customer may love a certain piece, but it is nine inches long instead of the eight inches he or she desires. If you don’t have an alteration to that piece, you could lose that customer. Therefore, you need to have foresight in your design stage in order to be able to accommodate your customers.

You should not wear your jewelry if you plan on going for a swim or if you plan on going in any other body of water that may contain harsh chemicals. These sorts of things can cause your jewelry to age much more quickly. Protect your jewelry and be conscientious.

While jewelry makes a great surprise gift, you should avoid presenting jewelry at off-the-cuff moments. A really beloved piece of jewelry is one that reminds its owner of a particularly memorable occasion. If there is not a common or personal holiday associated with your gift, make an effort to turn the presentation itself into an experience to remember.

When it comes to taking care of your jewelry be sure that you are only using a soft cloth to rub it down. This is critical in ensuring that you are not causing further damage by scratching it. Be sure that you purchase a jewelry specific cleaning cloth and do not use it for any other purposes.

If you are planning to purchase a piece of jewelry for your wife or girlfriend but do not want to ruin the surprise, do some detective work. Stealthily, sneak a peek in her jewelry box or simply pay attention to the pieces that she wears the most. Take note of details like whether she favors gold or silver, thick or delicate chains, or diamonds versus colored stones or pearls. This information will help both you and the salesperson narrow down the selection.

Making hemp jewelry can be fun for you and your friends. Sometimes the hemp can get a little fuzzy when stored for a long time. A good way to combat the fuzzy look of hemp is to melt a wee bit of wax and smear it over the hemp before you tie it.

A quick and cost effective cleaning solution for fine jewelry requires little more than toothpaste and a toothbrush. While toothpaste should not be used on costume jewelry, it works great for brightening up silver, gold and gemstones. The small bristles on a toothbrush also penetrate and clean filigree style settings far better than a cleaning cloth.

By reading and following these tips you should be able to avoid some of the most common problems involving jewelry. This will allow you to wear your beautiful jewelry without the fear of over using it. These few small tips will go a very long way to helping you look classy.