Take gemstone jewelry off before exercising, gardening, playing sports, swimming, or doing household chores. Impact, perspiration, chlorine, and cleaning chemicals can affect both gemstones and precious metals.
Caring for Gemstone Jewelry
Keep Your Gemstones Beautiful for Years to Come
Gemstone jewelry adds color, character, and personality to any collection. From vibrant rubies and sapphires to delicate opals, emeralds, pearls, and amethysts, each gemstone has its own unique characteristics and care requirements.
Proper care helps preserve the beauty, brilliance, and condition of your gemstone jewelry. While some gemstones are well suited for everyday wear, others are more delicate and require extra attention. Understanding your gemstone's hardness, durability, treatments, and sensitivity to heat or chemicals can help you care for it properly.
Why Gemstone Care Matters?
Gemstones vary significantly in hardness and toughness. The Mohs Scale of Hardness is commonly used to describe a gemstone's resistance to scratching, with diamond ranking at 10. However, hardness does not necessarily mean a gemstone cannot chip or break. Even harder gemstones can be damaged by a sharp impact or by improper handling.
Some gemstones can also be sensitive to heat, sudden temperature changes, chemicals, or cleaning methods. That's why it's important to consider the specific gemstone before choosing how to clean or store it.
Everyday Tips for Protecting Gemstone Jewelry
Small changes to your daily routine can make a big difference in maintaining your jewelry.
1
Remove Jewelry During Activities
2
Apply Beauty Products Before Jewelry
Perfume, hairspray, lotions, cosmetics, and other personal-care products can leave residue on gemstones and jewelry. Put your jewelry on after applying these products to minimize buildup and exposure.
3
Handle Jewelry Carefully
Avoid exposing gemstone jewelry to sharp impacts or excessive pressure. Even durable gemstones can chip or fracture if struck in the right place.
4
Inspect Your Settings Regularly
Pay attention to loose stones, worn prongs, damaged clasps, or other signs of wear. Catching a problem early can help prevent a gemstone from becoming loose or falling out.
How to Clean Gemstone Jewelry
For many gemstones, a gentle cleaning method is the safest approach. Warm water, mild soap, and a soft brush can be appropriate for many durable gemstones, but cleaning methods should always be selected according to the individual stone.
A simple cleaning routine for suitable gemstones is:
- 1. Mix lukewarm water with a small amount of mild soap.
- 2. Gently clean the jewelry using a soft brush.
- 3. Pay particular attention to the area underneath and around the gemstone.
- 4. Rinse carefully and dry with a soft, lint-free cloth.
- 5. When rinsing jewelry at home, avoid doing so directly over an open sink where a loose stone or piece of jewelry could be lost.
Be Careful with Ultrasonic and Steam Cleaners
- Ultrasonic and steam cleaners are not appropriate for every gemstone. Certain stones can be damaged by heat, temperature changes, or the vibrations produced during ultrasonic cleaning. Gemstones such as opal, turquoise, tanzanite, lapis lazuli, and others may require special care.
- Some gemstones may also have treatments or inclusions that make them particularly sensitive to professional cleaning methods.
- If you're unsure whether your gemstone can safely be cleaned using ultrasonic or steam equipment, it's best to have it evaluated by a jewelry professional first.
Special Care for Delicate Gemstones
1
Pearls
Pearls are relatively soft and can scratch easily. Clean them gently and avoid exposing them to harsh chemicals, perfumes, cosmetics, or excessive moisture. If you have a strand of pearls, the string should also be monitored for signs of wear.
2
Opals
Opals require extra care because they can be sensitive to heat and sudden temperature changes. Avoid harsh cleaning methods and protect them from excessive heat.
3
Emeralds
Emeralds may contain natural inclusions and are sometimes treated with oils or other substances. Aggressive cleaning methods can potentially affect the stone or its treatment, so professional care is recommended when you're uncertain about the appropriate cleaning method.
4
Turquoise & Other Porous Gemstones
Porous or softer gemstones can be particularly sensitive to chemicals, moisture, and improper cleaning. A soft, damp cloth may be preferable to soaking or using strong cleaning solutions.
Storing Your Gemstone Jewelry
Proper storage is just as important as cleaning. Different gemstones can scratch one another when stored together, particularly when harder stones come into contact with softer materials.
For best results:
- Store each piece separately in a soft pouch or compartment.
- Keep gemstones away from harder jewelry that could scratch them.
- Store delicate pieces in a cool, dry location.
- Avoid prolonged direct sunlight for gemstones that may be sensitive to light.
- Keep necklaces and chains separated to prevent tangling.
- A jewelry box with individual compartments or soft-lined sections is an excellent way to keep your collection organized and protected.
When to Seek Professional Jewelry Care?
Home care is useful for routine maintenance, but professional cleaning and inspection can help identify issues that aren't always visible.
Consider having your gemstone jewelry professionally inspected if you notice:
- A loose or moving gemstone
- Damaged or worn prongs
- Scratches, chips, or cracks
- A loose clasp or damaged chain
- Significant buildup that cannot be safely removed at home
A professional can determine the safest cleaning method for your particular gemstone and inspect the setting at the same time.
Quick Gemstone Care Tips
01
Learn the specific care requirements of each gemstone you own.
02
Use gentle cleaning methods whenever appropriate.
03
Avoid harsh chemicals and unnecessary exposure to heat.
04
Remove gemstone jewelry during strenuous activities.
05
Store each piece separately to prevent scratches and damage.
06
Have valuable or frequently worn jewelry professionally inspected.
Protect the Beauty of Your Gemstone Jewelry
With the right care, gemstone jewelry can remain beautiful and wearable for generations. The key is understanding that every gemstone is different and that a cleaning method that works well for one stone may not be suitable for another.
Whether you're caring for a treasured heirloom or a new gemstone purchase, taking a few simple precautions can help preserve its color, brilliance, and condition for years to come.