You must know what you’re doing or do the research prior to shopping for jewelry in order to make a good purchase. Perhaps you are not sure where to begin.

Do not use any chemicals on your jewelery stones. These can erode both the color and the materials of your jewelry.

When storing your jewelry, be sure that you store it in a place with low humidity and free of open air. Trying putting them in a box with a tight-fitting lid or a bag that has a drawstring closure. All metals will tarnish if they are subjected to too much air and humidity. Precious metals, through some work and polish, can be restored to their original condition. Non-precious metals are coated, which means that polishing will allow copper metal to come through.

When you go shopping for sterling silver jewelry pieces, take with you a magnet and a monocle. …