Many women love to add a touch of color to their wardrobe, and there is no better way to do so than with gemstone jewelry. By definition, a gemstone is a mineral or stone suitable for use in jewelry after having been cut and polished. Available in virtually every color imaginable, gemstones can add the perfect compliment to your favorite pieces of jewelry. Below are tip to caring for both precious and semi-precious gemstone jewelry.

Amethyst jewelry should be stored out of direct sunlight. Why? Believe it or not, this beautiful gemstone can actually fade if exposed to the sun for long periods of time. Therefore, it’s advisable that you store your amethyst jewelry in a gift box, jewelry case or other dark space in order to help retain its vibrant coloration.

When cleaning gemstone jewelry, consider a homemade remedy to help keep your accessories shining. A combination of soap and water can cleanse most gemstones safely, and may be less harsh than commercial jewelry cleaners. As you clean your gemstone jewelry, pay close attention to the utensil(s) that you choose. Avoid any brush or other product that features bristles, which may scratch the surface of your gemstone. Instead, use a soft cloth that has no rough areas which could potentially damage the stone.

Before using any type of commercial jewelry cleaning product, always pay close attention to the directions. The reason is because not all cleaners are safe for all gemstones and, in order to maintain the beauty of your jewelry, it’s important to carefully read the instructions. Whether you are removing tarnish from your sterling silver gemstone jewelry or simply adding a little shine to your collection, always follow the manufacturer’s instructions and consider alternative methods for cleaning your jewelry if necessary.

When storing gemstone jewelry, make sure to place it in such a way that it will not easily come into contact with other pieces from your collection. Why? If your jewelry were to get tumbled around, the gemstones could be scratched or even broken. Many natural gemstones are durable, but they can still be scratched and even damaged if not properly cared for. If you want to ensure the protection of your jewelry, store each piece in a small zip-tight jewelry bag when it is not being worn. If you are a wearer of sterling silver, this storage method will also help to slow the tarnishing process.

Surprisingly, man-made diamonds are as real as the ‘real’ diamonds from a mine. The only difference is that man-made diamonds are made in a factory using the latest technology to compress carbon at a high pressure. As for the real diamonds from the mine, the diamonds are created using the natural process of compression, but it takes millions of years to achieve the same result.

As such, you can get the cheapest diamond in the world if you buy the synthetic diamonds, which is just the same as the real diamonds that cost you a fortune to get but a carat of it. The best part is the man-made diamonds are very much the same as the real diamonds. It is difficult to tell them apart for a common person. Only an expert can separate the real from the fake, but overall it looks just the same and sparkles just the same. Therefore, there is no difference if you are going to buy a man-made diamond ring for your wedding or engagement because, basically, they are the same except the time involved to produce each of them.

There is an increase in man-made diamond production, as there are more and more people looking to own diamonds without having to pay a hefty price. So the Demand for man-made diamond is on the rise. As long as the diamonds are real, they are excellent. Who says it must be originally from a mine, as not only do they cost a fortune but the man-made diamonds are exactly the same. However, if you are looking for real diamonds at a cheaper price, you look for real diamonds with round cut. It is the most popular shape of diamonds used for making bracelets, rings and earrings. Besides, since there are so many round diamonds compared to other shapes of diamonds, it stands to reason that this type would be slightly cheaper.

When it comes to choosing the cheapest diamonds, you must learn the 4C’s rule. The 4C’s are carat, clarity, colour and cut. Carat is a measurement of the diamond’s weight. The more carats mean the diamond is heavier and naturally more expensive. The number of inclusions available determines clarity. The fewer inclusions the more value it would be. Colour plays an important role as well in the pricing because if the colour were rare then the diamond would be very valuable. As for the cut, different cuts have different values.