Gemstone Care

CARING FOR JEWELRY
General Care for All Jewelry
As with any fine jewelry, avoid direct use of cosmetics, perfumes, and hair care items on your jewelry. Read directions on jewelry cleaners to make sure they are safe for all semi-precious stones, especially pearls.

Silver
Silver Cloth: Polish with a silver cloth. To keep your jewelry chain intact while cleaning, don't pull the chain through the polishing cloth. Instead, rub the chain against the cloth.
Jewelry Cleaner: Follow directions on label. Some cleaners will leave silver looking dull. Use the silver cloth method above, to bring back the shiny, new look.

Oxidized (Gray/Black) Silver
To maintain the black color of oxidized silver, avoid wearing these pieces in the shower, or swimming in them. Water and wear will fade the black to an antiqued silver look over time.

Gold-Filled
Clean by gently rubbing with a soft cloth, or using jewelry cleaner. Chlorine can damage gold over a period of time, so avoid swimming in these pieces.

Silk Cord
Silk cord gives jewelry a very elegant look. Silk is known to be one of the strongest fabrics in the world. To maintain the fine quality of the silk, do not shower or swim in these pieces.

Crystals
Crystals can dull from body oils and cosmetics after prolonged wear. Clean with jewelry cleaner to return them to their original sparkle.

Pearls and Other Semi-Precious Stones
Clean with mild, soapy water. Other cleaners may damage the surface of your stones.


Gem Care - Looking After Your Gemstones & Jewelry
Are you paying enough attention to the care of your precious gemstones and jewelry? Unfortunately, most people overlook proper care of their jewelry, resulting in unnecessary devaluation. While specific cleaning techniques exist for different gemstone varieties, some basic tips include:

For its protection, always remove your jewelry when engaging in activities where there is a risk of impact or exposure to chemicals (e.g. sports or housework). If you cannot remove your rings when using strong cleaning products (i.e. Ammonia based), protect your jewelry (and your skin) by wearing rubber gloves. While rings and bracelets are most affected by daily wear, earrings, necklaces and even pendants are subject to chemical damage, especially if worn while make-up, fragrances and hair products are applied.

If you own pearl or bead necklaces, you should have a jeweler restring them at least every two years (or annually if you wear them frequently).

Try not to remove your jewelry by pulling on their gemstones. Apart from exposing the stones to sweat, oil and dirt, you also risk loosening the gemstones in their settings. Always check for loose gemstones and clasps before wearing your jewelry.

To avoid your gemstones and metal jewelry scratching each other, never store your jewelry in piles. Alternatively, store them in separate sections of a jewelry box or wrap them separately in velvet, paper or silk.

While some specific cleaning tips for the more common gem varieties are listed below, the safest method of cleaning most jewelry is to use a mild warm soapy water solution and a soft brush, patting dry with a soft cloth.

All gemstones should be protected from sharp blows, harsh chemicals, and extreme temperatures. Some particularly sensitive gemstones should even be kept away from strong light sources, as such exposure may cause color fading. Gemstones should be stored in a dry, safe place.


Specific Gem Care

Agate:
Agate tends to chip or crack rather easily. Take care to protect it from scratches and blows.

Alexandrite:
(Mohs 8.5) Clean with soapy water, alcohol or commercial cleaning solutions. An ultrasonic cleaner or steamer is safe.
Protect alexandrite from scratches, sharp blows, harsh chemicals, and extreme temperatures. Be especially careful when (re)mounting this stone, as the heat from a jeweler's torch may alter its color.

Amber:
Amber (Mohs 2-2.5) Use only warm soapy water, no brush. Pat dry. Do not use mechanical cleaners; avoid abrasives, chemicals and heat.
As amber is soft, it may be easily scratched. Be certain to store amber jewelry separately from your other jewelry.

Aquamarine:
(Mohs 7.5-8) Warm soapy water and a soft brush is your best bet. Avoid most chemicals, heat and excessive cleaning.
Do not clean in a home ultrasonic machine. As with all gemstones, care should be taken to protect it from scratches and sharp blows. Aquamarine often pales if left out in the sun.

Amethyst:
Clean your Amethyst at an ultrasonic jewelry cleaner or with warm, soapy water and a soft bristle brush. Amethyst often pales if left out in the sun.

Aventurine:
Aventurine may fade in the sun.

Bloodstone:
Generally, the polish will be removed if you get this type of stone wet. As with other jewelry, avoid scratches, sharp blows, and harsh chemicals.

Carnelian:
Carnelian placed in the sun will change color from brown to red.

Chrysoprase:
Chrysoprase will fade in the sun.

Citrine:
Citrine may be easily scratched. Citrine often permanently changes color if left in direct sunlight for several hours.

Coral:
(Mohs 3.5-4) Gently wipe clean with a soft, cool, damp cloth. Do not use a brush or mechanical cleaners. Avoid abrasives, chemicals and heat.
Coral is especially fragile. Protect coral from scratches and sharp blows. Also avoid large temperature changes (such as those which would occur if one were to leave the gem by a heater vent or in a hot car). Do not clean coral in a home ultrasonic cleaner.

Diamond:
(Mohs 10) Mechanical cleaners are safe, unless a stone has fractures or is fracture-filled. If that is the case, avoid heat and chemicals. Ammonia-based cleaners or mild solvents are fine. If using warm soapy water, rinse well and pat dry to avoid residue. Vodka is said to produce sparkling results.
Generally, diamonds are quite durable. However, diamonds are subject to chipping and fracture when handled roughly. Diamonds should be stored separately from themselves and other jewelry. Diamonds may scratch other jewelry as well as each other.

Emerald:
(Mohs 7.5-8) Clean with a soft, damp cloth, warm water and a soft brush. Emerald is often treated with oil to fill fissures and fractures as are characteristic to the gem. Hence, You should never clean an emerald in an ultrasonic or mechanical cleaner, because this oil could be removed or damaged, making the fissures more visible. Avoid chemicals and heat that dissolve oils used during cutting and processing to conceal inclusions. Although emerald is harder than quartz, its crystal structure makes it brittle. Have a jeweler re-oil your emerald every few years. Avoid impacts.
Avoid sudden temperature changes. In addition, do not clean emerald in hot soapy water, since it too may remove this oil.

Garnet:
(Mohs 7-7.5) Warm soapy water and a soft brush is perfect. An ultrasonic cleaner is safe for most garnets, except andradite (the best known variety is demantoid). Do not use a steamer.
As with all gemstones, care should be taken to protect it from scratches, sharp blows, harsh chemicals, and extreme temperatures.

Jade:
(Mohs 6.5-7) Warm soapy water will do the trick. Mechanical cleaners are safe. Avoid contact with warm acids.

Jasper:
The polish on jasper will often wash away in water. Clean with a soft dry cloth.

Kunzite:
Kunzite is especially fragile as a result of its crystalline structure. Protect kunzite from scratches and sharp blows. Also avoid large temperature changes (such as those which would occur if one were to leave the gem by a heater vent or in a hot car). Do not clean kunzite in a home ultrasonic cleaner. Kunzite will fade over time when exposed to sunlight .

Lapis Lazuli:
Lapis Lazuli (Mohs 5-6) Use warm soapy water. Do not scrub or soak. Wipe with a soft cloth. Do not use mechanical cleaners and avoid chemicals.
Lapis Lazuli may be easily scratched or chipped. Water will dissolve its protective coatings.

Malachite:
Malachite is especially fragile. Protect malachite from scratches and sharp blows. Also avoid large temperature changes (such as those which would occur if one were to leave the gem by a heater vent or in a hot car). Do not clean malachite in a home ultrasonic cleaner. Washing malachite in water will remove its finish.

Moonstone:
See Agate

Obsidian:
Obsidian is fairly fragile. Avoid sharp blows as it will crack.

Onyx:
See Agate

Opal:
(Mohs 5-6.5) Use a soft dry or damp cloth. Do not soak. Do not use mechanical cleaners. Avoid impacts, dry conditions, heat and chemicals.
Opal is an extremely fragile stone. Avoid large temperature changes (i.e. do not leave the opal next to your heater or in a hot car). Store it in the dark. Clean it with a soft, dry cloth. Ultrasonic cleaners and strong solvents may damage the stone and should thus be avoided.

Pearl:
(Mohs 2.5-4.5) Wipe clean after each use with a soft, dry or damp cloth. Mild soapy water is fine. No mechanical cleaners, heat or chemicals.
Pearls are less durable than most gems. They are sensitive to acids, dryness, and humidity. If you wear cosmetics and/or perfume, put these on before wearing your pearl jewelry. When taking off your pearls, wipe them with a dry, lint-free cloth. If needed, clean your pearls with warm soapy water being very careful to avoid wetting the drill hole, as the pearl may become thus discolored. Dry your pearls flat on an absorbent, soft (preferably lint-free) towel. Always store your pearl necklaces as flat as the silk will stretch. Store pearls separately from other jewelry, as they are eaily scratched. Store pearls in a dry environment. Avoid using plastic bags (as moisture may get trapped and cause damage).

Peridot:
(Mohs 6.5-7) Warm soapy water and a soft brush is your best bet. Do not use an ultrasonic cleaner or steamer. Avoid contact with acids.
As with all gems, protect peridot from scratches and sharp blows. Also avoid large temperature changes (such as those which would occur if one were to leave the gem by a heater vent or in a hot car). Do not clean peridot in a home ultrasonic cleaner.

Quartz (amethyst, citrine & ametrine):
(Mohs 7) Warm soapy water is perfect. An ultrasonic cleaner is usually safe, but a steamer is risky. Avoid acids, intense heat, and prolonged bright light.
Rose Quartz:
Rose Quartz will chip and crack rather easily, and it will also fade in the sun. Avoid placing it in direct sunlight, and be extra careful to protect it from scratches and blows.

Ruby & Sapphire:
(Mohs 9) Clean with soapy water or commercial solvent and brush. Mechanical cleaners are safe, except for heavily included gems.
Spinel:
(Mohs 8) Give it the kind of care you would ruby and sapphire.

Tanzanite:
(Mohs 6-7) Give it the same kind of care you would a peridot.
Tanzanite may be easily scratched or chipped. Clean your tanzanite with warm, soapy water and a soft bristle brush. Avoid using ultrasonic cleaning.

Tiger Eye:
See Peridot

Topaz:
(Mohs 8) Give it the same care you would an emerald. Although it is hard, it cleaves. A sudden temperature change or impact can cause a break.
As with all gems, protect topaz from scratches and sharp blows. Also avoid large temperature changes (such as those which would occur if one were to leave the gem by a heater vent or in a hot car). Do not clean topaz in a home ultrasonic cleaner. The best way to clean topaz is with warm soapy water.

Tourmaline:
(Mohs 7-7.5) Warm soapy water and a soft brush is your best bet. Do not use mechanical cleaners.
See Peridot

Turquoise:
(Mohs 5-6) Wipe with a soft damp cloth and dry. Do not soak or use mechanical cleaners. Silver cleaners will cause discoloration and damage.
Turquoise is somewhat soft, so avoid scratches and sharp blows. To be certain that coatings are not removed, also avoid hot water and household chemicals.

Zircon:
Zircon is somewhat soft, so avoid scratches and sharp blows. Avoid hot water and household chemicals. Brown Zircon is usually heat-treated as a means by which to transform it into colorless or blue Zircon. Blue stones that have reverted to brown will regain their blue color if reheated. Blue Zircon reheated in the presence of oxygen will transform into a golden yellow.


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