Jewelry Care, Cleaning & Storage

Gemstone Care and Handling

Although gemstones are among the most durable substances, they do need care.  A few general rules will make them look like the day you bought them and still look that way for generations to come.

First of all, keep them clean!!!! Rings especially tend to collect dust and gunk behind the stone, particularly if you wear them all the time.  To clean most transparent crystalline gemstones, simply soak them in water with a touch of gentle soap.  If necessary, use a soft baby toothbrush to scrub behind the stone.

Inclusions that weaken the crystal structure can make even the hardest gemstone varieties vulnerable to breakage.  Therefore, it only makes sense to take off a ring set with a softer gem variety or an included stone before strenuous exercise.  Even diamonds, though very hard, can shatter in two with a well-placed blow.  Rubies and Sapphires are the toughest gems but they may even chip if hit sharply.

Ultrasonic Cleaners

Think twice before putting your jewelry in an ultrasonic cleaner.  Diamonds, rubies, and sapphires will be fine but many other gems may not.  So, if in doubt, leave it out.  Diamonds, rubies, sapphires, and other single-crystal gems can be cleaned with a touch of ammonia in water to remove all films and add extra sparkle.

Opaque gemstones like lapis lazuli, turquoise, malachite, require special care.  Never use an ultrasonic cleaner and never use ammonia or any chemical solution on them.  These gems should be just wiped clean gently with a moist cloth.  These gemstones can be porous and may absorb chemicals, soap, and they may build up inside the stone and discolor it.  The reason why these gems need more care than transparent gemstones is that these materials are essentially rocks, not crystals of a single mineral.  And like a rock,  they absorb water. 

Opals also fall into this category so ultrasonic cleaners and ammonia should be avoided and special care should be taken to keep them out of strong light and heat which can dry out the water in opals.

Organic Gems

Pearls, coral, and amber are considered organic gems meaning they are both soft and porous and should only be cleaned with a moist cloth.  Special care should be taken around chemicals in hairspray, cosmetics, or perfume which can, over time, damage these gems.

How to Clean Pearls

The pearls most of us wear today are cultured pearls, which means their existence was initiated by humans who insert a bead or other object into an oyster or clam.  The oyster coats the foreign object with nacre, the patina that gives pearls their unique appearance.  The depth of the nacre coating depends on the type of creature involved, the water it lives in, and how long the intruder is left in place before it is removed.  As nacre thickness increases, so does the quality and durability of the pearl.  Even cultured pearls with thicker coatings are more fragile than most gemstones, so they must be handled with care to keep them in the best condition.    

                      1. Your pearls will stay cleaner if you put them on after you've applied your makeup and perfume.

                      2. Be sure to take off your pearl rings before you apply hand and body creams.

                      3. Wipe your pearls with a soft, lint-free cloth as soon as you take them off.  The cloth can be dampened with

                          water or it can be dry.  If damp, allow the pearls to air dry before putting them away.

                       4. Dirty pearls can be cleaned with a mild soap and water solution (try Ivory Flakes)

                       5. Never clean your pearls with solutions that contain ammonia or harsh detergents or an ultrasonic cleaner.

                       6. Don't use abrasive cleaners or rub pearls with abrasive cloth.  Both can wear away the nacre coating, leaving 

                            you with a plain looking bead.

Fun fact:  Natural pearls are sold by carat weight, but cultured pearls are sold by their size in millimeters.

Gentle and Effective Cleaning for All Diamonds

Diamonds are the hardest substance known, but coatings and other materials  used to enhance them can sometimes be removed with harsh cleansers and vigorous scrubbing,  making it even more important to clean the gems with care.  Hand lotions, hair styling products, and everyday grime can leave a film on your diamond keeping it from sparkling.  Those materials can accumulate into a thick layer of gunk on the back of the stone if you wait too long between cleanings.

                          1. Soak your diamond ring in a warm solution of mild liquid detergent(such as Ivory) and water.

                          2. Use a soft brush, if necessary, to remove dirt.  SOFT is the word, do not use something that will scratch                                 the rings metal setting.

                          3. Swish the ring around in the solution, then rinse thoroughly in warm water.  Make sure drain is closed.

                          4. Dry the ring with a lint-free cloth.

                           5. Diamonds that have not been fracture filled can be cleaned with a solution of ammonia and water.

Please note:  If your diamond ring contains other gemstones the method you use to clean it must protect its weakest element.  Always use a cleaning method that is suitable for the less durable stones.  Protect your jewelry from harsh chemicals especially chlorine, bleaches and hair dyes as these can not only damage stones but also metal.  Either, remove the jewelry or wear gloves to protect them from these products.

Storing Your Jewelry

Store each piece of gemstone jewelry separately so that harder stones don't scratch softer ones.  Almost every gemstone is much harder than the metal it is set in.  Gems can scratch the finish on your gold, silver, or platinum if you throw your jewelry in a heap in a drawer or jewelry box.

Pearls scratch very easily when rubbed against other metal or gemstones.  Find a special box or soft bag made from non-abrasive material to keep them in.

Having Fine Jewelry is a priviledge that warrants extra care and consideration, especially if there is sentimental value or heirloom pieces that will be passed down generations.  Treat them with special care and they will last a long time.