Store pearls separately from other jewelry pieces. This is for the protection of your pearls as well as the protection of your other jewelry items. Pearls can be easily scratched or broken, so keep them in a special area of your jewelry box or in an entirely different location. The best storage method for pearl jewelry is in a soft bag, made of silk or chamois or another soft fabric.

Additionally, you should restring pearl necklaces at least once every year or two to ensure that the cord holding the pearls together remains in tact.

When purchasing a platinum ring, it's important to know the anatomy of the jewelry to help you make the most informed decision regarding your choice of metal. After all, rings are made of several different parts:

• The stone, which is the most important portion of the ring. Diamonds are usually best with platinum, but other gemstones can shine with this metal as well. Popular choices include emeralds, rubies and sapphires are all great choices.
  
• The setting is second most important, which is why a strong metal like platinum is ideal. This will hold your stone in place for a lifetime.
  
• The band, which normally wears out over time because of constant wear and contact with everything that the hands touch. However, this is not a concern since platinum stays in tact for a lifetime.
  
• The stamp, or marking, which tells you how pure the metal is and what kind of metals have been mixed together to form the ring.