Jewelry 101-Basic Tips and Tricks

Jewelry is one of my favorite things that I own. I constantly am buying (or making) jewelry. Jewelry in my opinion is like a decoration to your outfit, kind of like the cherry on top. That's why I have so much in it. Every piece of jewelry that I own is has a meaning or a message to it. However, with all of this jewelry there are some tips and tricks that can make the upkeep, well better.

• Keep a silver polishing cloth, and polish key pieces every few months. Sometimes even when you wear pieces all of the time, you're going to get them dirty. Luckily, having a cloth around can help keep them shiny and new. You can get them from most jewelry stores and they are usually are free. I even use it to clean my Alex and Ani bracelets, because it helps get rid of the black spots that they sometimes can accumulate. 
• Use clear nail polish to keep costume jewelry from tarnishing. I've only done this once, however, many of my friends tell me that it works. 
• Get a jewelry box that keeps tarnish away. I have had a Lori Greiner jewelry box since I was 12, and they work! It's promised to keep your jewelry tarnish free for up to 40 years. Since I have been using it for so long, then it's perfect for anyone who wants to keep their jewelry pretty. 
• Get a small jewelry box, or dish. My mom recently gave me a glass dish to put my jewelry that I wear daily in. It's so amazing because then it won't get lost and since I wear a good portion of my jewelry on a daily basis, it's an easy reach. You can get them either from Etsy, and QVC, as well as you can make them.
• Make sure that you have a few 'key' pieces that you're going to have forever. Great jewelry can be an investment.  Investing in a few pieces such as pearl earrings or a pretty watch is awesome because they last forever, and you can wear them pretty much regularly. Make sure there's some classic pieces, and not trendy. You'll have them forever, I promise.