The brilliance and sparkle of vibrant gemstones are hard to miss. They have been an obsession ever since their discovery in ancient times. The jewelry options and styles with these exquisite stones are endless. They might be tough and robust but they aren’t exactly indestructible and hence, their care and storage hold as much importance. We give you the lowdown on some care basics.
Cleaning them right
- Simple mild detergent is good enough to clean your gemstone jewelry regularly. Scrub them gently with a soft baby brush and pat dry.
- Remember to wash them in a bowl or cup of water, as this will avoid any loose gems to fall off when washed in a sink.
- Stones like Amber and Turquois should never be soaked for an extended time in the water as this will make them lose their luster.
- After an outing wearing your precious jewelry, make sure to wipe them clean with a soft cloth to avoid a film build up.
- If using an Ultrasonic cleaner, remember not to use them on moonstone and emerald as they might get damaged doing so. If you are unsure which stones are ideal to be used in this kind of professional cleaner, it’s better to ask your local jeweler for advice.
Storing them right
- When it comes to toughness, diamonds rank number 1 and next comes your gemstones. Rubies and sapphires come next and then Emeralds, aquamarines, Topaz and then Pearls and Peridots. Storing these exquisite pieces in separate pouches or wrapped in jewelry tissue is ideal to avoid any scratches.
- Pearls and Opals are fragile and easily draw moisture and pollutants from the air, thus they must be kept in separate boxes with a fabric lining.
- Gems like Amethysts and Smoky Quartzes fade in sunlight, while Pearls and Ivory get bleached, and thus must be kept away from direct rays of the sun. Heat can also have a devastating effect on some gemstones and rupture their outer layer, thus must be kept in a cool and dark place.
Dos and Don’ts of your precious gemstones jewelry.
- Keep them away from makeup, lotions, perfumes and hairsprays, as these have numerous hidden chemicals that can damage your pieces easily.
- If you are wearing treated gemstones like Hydrogen Peroxide treated Pearls or metal oxides coated Topaz, then you have to keep these away from heat, steam, solvents and ultrasonic cleaners. Store these in a dry place and soft packaging.
- Your gems studded jewelry is the last thing you should wear while going out and the first thing to be removed when you return home for optimum care and protection from damage to them.
- Do not keep your jewelry on a dressing table or in a drawer to protect it from getting scratched.
- Lastly do not wear them while gardening, swimming, in the gym or handling cleaning products at home. The more you care for your gemstones, the more it’ll look like a great investment to you and hence can be passed on for generations!
