With all the talk of silver and gold prices going into the stars, you’d think it was nearly impossible to find affordable pieces. But you can still find some wonderful buys on attractive sterling silver jewelry and even gold. There are some unique designs out there, and just surfing a little on the web will yield some wonderful results.

Sterling silver (.925 silver) is a versatile precious metal, lending itself to fine jewelry for both men and women.

I’ve met some people a little scared off by the fact that silver will tarnish if exposed to the air for a period of time. The truth is that silver is easy to polish; you can even use toothpaste gently rubbed into the piece and rinsed out. I prefer a polishing cloth just for convenience.

So don’t be afraid to shop for sterling silver jewelry; you may find the perfect gift for someone special, and at a price that’s still quite affordable.