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Jewelry is a great gift to give to a loved one or a friend, and a lot of people buy jewelry every day. But with so many different options available to choose from, it can be difficult to know which piece of jewelry is of the best quality so that you get the best. Luckily, there are ways to check the quality so that you won't have to worry.

You should check your rings periodically for loose stones or bent prongs. It is best to catch these issues early and have the ring repaired by a professional jeweler than to lose a precious stone. Most jewelers can re-tip worn prongs to ensure your stone stays secure.

Store your earrings in a pill box. A pill box is just the right size for small earrings, and it will keep them from getting lost. It is also convenient to bring with you if you travel. This tip works especially well if you have several pair of stud style earrings.

Taking good care of your jewelry will keep it looking great for a long time. When getting ready, you should put your jewelry on last. Cosmetics, perfumes, and hairsprays can cause discoloration in gemstones that are porous. If you wear pearls on a regular basis, it is best to have them restrung every six to nine months.

Next time you are looking into making a jewelry purchase, you may want to consider an "out-of-the-box" place to shop. Many home-based make-up companies are spreading their wings and reaching out to a new consumer base by selling jewelry as well as make-up. The prices are usually reasonable and the merchandise ships quickly. So next time you are looking to buy some new jewelry, check out your favorite make-up rep.

Even though some people use toothpaste to clean their gold, silver or gemstones, jewelers do not recommend this practice. The abrasives in toothpaste can scratch the surface of precious metals and gemstones. To restore the jewelry back to its original, unscratched condition will require buffing and refinishing by a professional fine jeweler.

Give the gift that allows you to keep on giving. Add-a-pearl and add-a-bead type necklaces and bracelets along with charm bracelets make gift-giving easy! Start your loved one off with the basic chain or bracelet necessary and perhaps a pearl, bead or charm to commemorate the occasion, and with every holiday, birthday or special event in the future, use those opportunities to add to it with additional charms and beads.

When cleaning silver, it is best to invest in a jeweler's rouge cloth. It has a polishing compound on the red side which is safe to use with all gemstones, and the yellow side is intended for giving a polish that will sparkle. This will keep your jewelry looking gorgeous for a long time to come!

If you have jewelry that is very valuable, you need to make sure that the items are insured in case of a robbery. You can also make use of a safety deposit box to protect your items while you are not using them. Keeping your jewelry safe is important, so take the time to insure that it is protected.

If you simply must have a new ring, necklace, or pair of earrings but cannot afford to spend thousands, you should spend a whole day visiting local pawn shops in the area. Pawn shops are notorious for offering excellent and affordable deals on pre-owned jewelry and generally are required to certify and verify the quality of stones and metals in each piece.

As with most things, we all want to get the best things for the cheapest price. So, the next time you decide to buy a piece of expensive jewelry as a present for a loved one, try to use these tips so that you can make sure you are getting the best bargain and quality for the amount of money you paid.