Decide where a piece will sit and when you will wear it before comparing specifications, style and how it combines. A pendant does not necessarily include a chain, and fittings are not necessarily finished pieces, so check the specification for the design you are buying. Where information is unclear, do not infer material, size or quantity from a photograph alone.

Chinese cultural jewellery draws on several traditions. Taiji and bagua usually belong to Daoist expression; buddha figures and ritual implements should be read as Buddhist subjects; lion-dance figures and auspicious beasts may be folk decoration. The same motif can cross traditions, so read the individual product description, and do not label everything as Daoist. Cultural meaning is not a guarantee of health, wealth or fortune.

Different materials and finishes need different care. Avoid knocks, prolonged damp and contact with cleaning products, and check the material note before you wipe anything. Do not use strong cleaners on settings, antiqued finishes or plated pieces until you have confirmed they are suitable. Stop wearing a piece if your skin reacts.

The size something appears in a photograph is not its actual size. Check the SKU you are buying, the quantity and what is included. Packaging dimensions and packaged weight in a source record are not the size or the net weight of the piece; where no physical dimensions are given, confirm them before choosing.