Handmade silver jewelry is truly beautiful as it is unique. If you’re looking for pieces to add to your collection or purchase of gifts, there are excellent online sources of outstanding hand, pendants, rings, brooches and necklaces. For a wonderful shopping experience, follow these five tips.

1. Find a reputable source. This may be obvious, but do not confuse the trade of jewelry made with handcrafted silver jewelry. The latter is made by craftsmen who take pride in their work. It is useful to find a company that has been in business for decades and has been selling online for at least five years.

2. Take advantage of personalization. When the jewelry is handmade, can be customized in any number of ways, from the lengths of the strings to the kinds of precious stones used in pendants and rings. You do not have to settle for “almost good enough.” Instead, you can get the piece that has always dreamed of, in exactly the right size.

3. Measure carefully. Custom pieces, because they are generally not returnable, it is important to ensure that silver jewelry hand made to fit. It only takes a few minutes to get a good measurement, and thus ensure that the ring or necklace that order will be exactly what you want. Ring, ask a friend to take a piece of string, since all or most of the knuckle of your finger and mark the string. To determine the size, hold the string against a tape measure and compare your site to measure the size chart. If you are between sizes, it is best to go with the larger size. You can also use the network to the extent of the bracelet, necklace or Anklet lengths.

4. Do your research gemstone. The best online jewelry sites have a wealth of information on gemstones. Before you order, read in the gemstone you are considering. It is important to know, for example, aquamarine can be cleaned with dishwashing detergent, but the ultrasonic cleaning and steam can damage the stone. Similarly, you should know that pearls are delicate and can absorb liquids, but you might not know that turquoise is porous and can stain.

If you go to jewelry with gemstones, it is also crucial to know if the stones are natural or if the colors have been improved. Reputable craftsmen freely share this information. Do not worry, however, if the stones are heated or irradiated to enhance or change their colors. Naturally colored rubies, sapphires, topaz, and, for example, are extremely rare, it is an accepted practice in the jewelry industry of precious stones to improve color.

5. Investing in the real. Silver jewelry is fabulous, but only if it is real silver. Make sure the online source for selecting any of the uses of sterling silver (.925 or 92.5 percent silver) or fine silver (99.9 percent pure silver). When you invest in silver jewelry made by hand, you’re not just buying a piece of treasure, but is likely to become a legacy for future generations.