Fine jewelry is jewelry that is crafted from valuable materials like platinum, gold, and silver. It may also feature diamonds and/or colorful gemstones. Many people wear fine jewelry that they've received as a gift, while some buy their own pieces. Read on to find out more about choosing and caring for your fine jewelry.

Platinum jewelry is the most expensive and strongest metal used for fine jewelry, and is more valuable than gold. You can find platinum engagement rings, necklaces and bracelets. The color of platinum can be compared to silver or white gold, yet the similarities stop there. Platinum is hypo-allergenic, which makes it an ideal choice for wearers with sensitive skin. It's also versatile, flexible, and will never turn in color. To clean your platinum jewelry, use a regular jewelry cleaner or jewelry cleaning cloth. After years of use, platinum can develop somewhat of a patina. To keep your pieces sparkling, have them professionally cleaned and polished by a jeweler as often as needed.

Maybe you love the rich and classic look of gold. If so, you're not alone! Gold is probably the most popular material from which fine jewelry is crafted. The purity of gold is measured by what are called karats. The higher number of karats that gold has, the higher the percentage of purity. For example, 24 karat gold is 100 percent gold, while 14 karat gold is 58 percent gold. Gold not only comes in different karat designations, it comes in different colors as well. There is the traditional yellow gold, white gold, and rose gold. Gold jewelry is sturdy and lasting, however you should always use care when cleaning and storing your gold pieces. To keep gold sparkling, use a traditional jewelry cleaning solution designed for gold.

Sterling silver is the least expensive choice for fine jewelry. People often choose sterling silver because it does not turn and is durable, lasting, and affordable. To be classified as sterling, a piece must contain at least 92.5 percent silver. You can find silver jewelry that contains fine gemstones, pearls or even diamonds. Caring for silver is a bit different than caring for gold or platinum. You'll need a jewelry cleaner especially designed for sterling silver. Like with gold and platinum, you can have your silver jewelry professionally polished if it loses its sparkle.

No matter what kind of fine jewelry you choose or receive, it's important to treat each piece with the care and respect it deserves. Always store your fine jewelry in a fabric lined box or individual fabric lined pouches to discourage tangling. Do not wear your jewelry when cleaning with harsh chemicals. Certain gemstones cannot be worn in bright sunlight or water as they can be damaged. If you have any questions about the proper care of your fine jewelry, consult a jeweler in your area.

Selecting a Jewelry Box
A jewelry box can be much more than just a place to store your jewelry. Many jewelry boxes serve as decorative collectibles and even family heirlooms. The type of jewelry box you will need depends on not only your personal preferences but also how much jewelry you have to store. There are jewelry boxes that range from very small to very large. There are even musical jewelry boxes that play a tune when opened!

If you enjoy shopping online, then you simply must check out jewelryboxes.com. This great website features a wide variety of jewelry boxes of all shapes, sizes and colors. Here are some of the best selections from which you can choose:

Davina Jewelry Box: This gorgeous wooden jewelry box is a popular favorite. It features an octagonal shape, lovely contoured top, a fully extendable drawer, a top compartment created for storing necklaces, and more. It features a lock and two keys, suede interior and lots of room for all your treasures.

Classic Cherry Jewelry Armoire: This heirloom quality jewelry armoire is for the serious jewelry collector. Crafted from rich cherry wood, it sports two large drawers and six small drawers adorned with ornate hardware. There are also two side compartments for even more space. You'll love this gorgeous cherry armoire, as will any daughter or granddaughter if you choose to give it as a gift or keepsake.

Juliet Musical Jewelry Box: Speaking of daughters and granddaughters, any little girl would love to receive this ballerina theme musical jewelry box, which plays 'Dance of the Sugarplum Fairies' when opened. This wood crafted box sports a delicate white and pink color scheme, mirrored lid and plenty of room for any little girl's special treasures.

Calypso Jewelry Box: For older girls, there's the Calypso model. This bright, beaded jewelry box is eye-catching and perfect for a teen. Under the lid is a generous sized oval mirror, and the box itself has lots of compartments for storing all different types of jewelry. Suede interior and poplene lining makes for durable quality that lasts and lasts.

Serrett Men's Jewelry Box: Jewelry boxes aren't just for the girls! The Serrett Men's Jewelry Box is perfect for that special guy in your life. This gorgeous box features Mapa wood inlay with walnut border. This locking box is perfect for any man's rings, cuff links, money clips and watches.

Head on over to jewelryboxes.com and choose your own special jewelry box. You'll love the quality service and incredible selection offered by this impressive online retailer.

Choosing a Jewelry Supply Company
If you're looking for a jewelry supply company, there are lots of them out there. There are two different types of supply companies that you may be interested in. If you make your own jewelry, you'll want to find a company that offers jewelry making supplies at affordable prices. But if you plan to buy jewelry for resale purposes, you'll want a wholesale jewelry supply company. You could, of course, find a company that offers both wholesale jewelry and supplies.

One of the best out there is supplyjewelry.com. This company offers not only wholesale jewelry, but jewelry making supplies also. You'll find lots of high-quality sterling silver, some of it accented with gorgeous gemstones. There are rings, bracelets, necklaces, earrings and more. There are even jewelry boxes in which you can store all your treasures. Some of the jewelry making supplies featured at this online store include silver and gemstone beads, tubes and nuggets.

So, now that you know where to buy jewelry and jewelry-making supplies, what can you do with this knowledge? There are many ways to go into business for yourself selling jewelry that you buy or make yourself. One place is at craft shows and flea markets. You may not get a whole lot for your pieces at flea markets, but you'll be exposed to a wide variety of customers. Craft shows can garner you less customers yet higher profits, especially if the jewelry is handmade. Some craft shows are small, while others are massive.

If you want to work from home, there's always the online auction world. Ebay has more than 100 million registered members, which means you're sure to get some customers that way! When selling jewelry on Ebay, there are some tips that can help you succeed. Always take the best photographs possible. The better the photographs are, the more likely a customer is to purchase the item. Always list as many descriptive details about the jewelry item as possible. And when you sell an item, ship it promptly and let the customer know how and when the item shipped. Good customer service can lead to good feedback, which is extremely important for a successful Ebay business.

Online auctions can be another source of jewelry supply. Some people specialize in selling wholesale lots of items, which can work in your favor! When purchasing wholesale jewelry or jewelry supplies, do your research and comparison shop to ensure you get the best value for your money.