Ever desired a perfect jewelry accessory to accentuate an ensemble with a “pop” of color? Perhaps you have a close friend or sweetheart whom you want to give jewelry to? Whatever your situation, below tips can provide you with some handy jewelry tips.

1. Do some shopping around when you are looking to buy some diamonds. See what you like up close, and then compare it to other pieces that you look at. Keep an eye out for deceptive tricks to cause you to think a diamond is better than it actually is.

2. Know which kind of stone you are buying with your jewelry. Gems are divided into three main categories: imitation, synthetic and natural. Natural and synthetic gems are real stones, but imitation is just plastic colored to look like the real thing. Synthetic gems come from a lab and natural ones are found in the ground.

3. Jewelry should be a purchase that truly lasts a lifetime. To ensure you are buying a quality piece, refuse to deal with anybody but the most reputable of jewelers. High-quality jewelry can be told by its superior craftsmanship and good manufacture. A reputable jeweler will be able to provide you with a full background of the piece, including where the stones are from and who made it. Investing in a high-quality jewelry piece ensures that you will have a timeless item that will be just as wearable in 20 years as it is today.

4. Check out the latest trends in jewelry before you pick up a new piece. Getting a nice piece of jewelry is good, but getting it at a discount is even better.

5. Be sure to at least inquire about the insurance that is available when you buy jewelry from a reputable jeweler. If your jewelry becomes damaged, you can return it to the source and have it repaired. In some instances, you can even insure your jewelry against loss or theft.

6. Store your jewelry in a place that is not subjected to humidity extremes or open air. For maximum protection you can choose to store them inside of a small drawstring or a closed jewelry box. Air and humidity can tarnish metals of all types. It is possible to restore precious metals to their previous state, but it’s better to avoid damaging them in the first place.

Now that you have undoubtedly learned some new and interesting facts about jewelry, you can be more confident in your selection and appraisal of lustrous gemstones, sparkling diamonds, colorful beads and gleaming metals like silver, gold and platinum. Any quality jewelry piece will be an investment for the years ahead.