Silver jewelry is not only always a welcome gift; it is also an excellent investment. While silver metal costs less than half the price of gold, the beauty, workmanship and versatility of silver chains, silver pendants and silver bracelets keep handmade silver jewelry and antique silver jewelry high on the list at auctions and other venues. If you’re buying a piece of silver jewelry for yourself or as a gift, these tips will help you select a high quality piece of jewelry that your recipient will enjoy. They’re especially important if you’re buying jewelry online.

Trust the Seller

Look for a reputable seller when buying silver jewelry. There are many little details that affect the quality of the jewelry you buy. A reputable seller often has strict quality control standards to ensure that you always get what you pay for – and the motivation to ensure that all of his or her customers are happy with their purchase. Don’t rule out small crafters and makers of handmade silver jewelry, though. You’ll often find the highest quality and most beautiful silver necklaces, silver earrings and silver chains made by independent crafters selling their jewelry online.

Know Your Silver

Jewelry marked .925 is made of sterling silver jewelry. It means that the silver used in the piece is 92.5% pure silver with 7.5% other metal alloys, which are necessary to help harden the silver and make it less prone to tarnish. Often, the most sought after silver jewelry is marked .999, nearly pure silver. Because few people have skin reactions to silver, the finer silver is less likely to cause an allergic reaction and is less likely to tarnish.

Watch for Weasel Words in Ads

You’ll often see very low prices for silver jewelry on the Internet, usually advertised as “Genuine silver plated” – very often in small letters somewhere. Silver plated jewelry is made of another metal and plated with a very thin layer of silver. That layer rubs away as you wear it, and your “silver” jewelry becomes discolored.

Look for Quality Craftsmanship

If you’re buying silver jewelry online, buy from a site that provides generously sized, detailed photos of each product. Look for sharp details in any engraving or carving work, and check to see the kind of setting used to secure stones in place, as well as the type of clasps used to close silver necklaces and bracelets, and the findings on other pieces such as silver barrettes and brooches.

Choose Classic Pieces

Trendy jewelry may be fun to buy, but the classics last forever. Quality silver pieces are often passed down from mother to daughter and father to son, becoming family heirlooms. Choose silver jewelry that will stand the test of time and be just as beautiful in fifty years as it is on the day it arrives.

Tips to Care for Silver Jewelry

Silver is one of the most popular metals for jewelry and adornments. Depending on the gems and the way it is worked, silver jewelry can be warm and lustrous or cool and glowing. The metal is soft and malleable enough to shape and bend into fanciful forms, making it ideal for creating things like silver barrettes and hair clips which are not often made in other precious metals. Silver jewelry doesn’t require much in the way of special care, but the right care can preserve its beauty so that you enjoy it for many years.

Wear Your Silver Jewelry

The single most important thing you can do to keep your silver rings and other jewelry beautiful and untarnished is to wear it. Tarnish is the result of oxidation, a chemical process that discolors and damages fine silver and sterling silver. Wearing and handling your silver jewelry protects it from tarnish. The natural oils from your skin will only make your silver chains and silver bracelets more lustrous and beautiful as the years go on.

Store Silver Jewelry Properly

Silver is a soft metal that scratches and dents easily. When you’re not wearing your silver jewelry, store each piece in a separate compartment or bag to keep it from being scratched or marred by other pieces in your jewelry box. Some jewelry boxes are lined with tarnish-free materials to prevent oxidation, but it’s usually enough to wrap your jewelry in a soft cloth or store each piece in a small plastic or fabric bag.

Clean with a Silver Cloth

Special silver cleaning cloths will keep your silver jewelry looking pristine and new. Originally developed for household silver, polishing clothes are impregnated with chemicals that clean away oils and dirt without damaging the metal or destroying the finish. Give your silver bracelets and silver barrettes a wipe with a silver polishing cloth before you put them away to remove any oils from them.

Avoid Chlorine and Other Minerals and Chemicals

Chlorine, bleach and harsh chemicals can damage the finish on your silver jewelry. Remove your silver rings when washing dishes, and don’t shower wearing your silver chains and silver necklaces or earrings. Likewise, don’t use advertised “jewelry dips” to clean your silver jewelry, even those that say they are safe for silver. Far too often, the chemicals strip away the protective finish and will discolor and damage your jewelry.

Visit a Jeweler

About once a year, take your jewelry to a professional for a once-over. A professional jeweler can tighten findings and catches and do routine maintenance to keep your silver jewelry in good repair.