How To You Care For Your Gemstone
March 11, 2020Caring for gemstones so they appear clear and shiny might seem like a challenge, but it doesn’t have to be when you know the right steps to take. This guide from REIGNE JEWELLERY provides everything you need to know to care for coloured stone jewellery, including necklaces, rings, earrings and bracelets.
General Care for Coloured Stones
When caring for coloured stones, it’s important to be aware of which gemstones you have. Gemstones can vary widely in terms of physical properties, meaning that what is recommended for one stone may not be recommended for another. In fact, some care methods can even cause damage if used for the wrong stone.
To look after your coloured stone jewellery regardless of the stone type, here are some general care steps you can follow:
- Take your jewellery off during any activity that could cause damage, such as exercise, gardening, swimming and cooking.
- Avoid exposing your jewellery to perfumes, lotions and cleaning products, as these substances can damage soft-organic gemstones like pearls.
- Clean coloured stone jewellery gently with a lint-free cloth or soft-bristle toothbrush, along with a solution of warm soapy water. Afterwards, dry gently with a lint-free cloth. To clean porous stones such as pearls and turquoise, use a damp soft cloth only – avoid the use of detergents and liquids.
- If you’re worried about damaging your coloured stone jewellery, you can bring it into REIGNE JEWELLERY for professional cleaning. We handle all jewellery with the utmost professionalism throughout the cleaning and polishing process.
- Do not use an ultrasonic cleaner on coloured stone jewellery unless recommended by a qualified gemologist.
- Never place your jewellery into a drawer haphazardly, as this can cause scratches, chips and fractures in the gemstones. It’s best to store gemstones in a padded jewellery box that offers proper protection.
- Store pearls and opals separately from other jewellery pieces to prevent accidental scratches.
Care Instructions for Specific Stones
Emerald
To properly care for emeralds, it’s important to keep them away from heat and chemicals that can cause damage. Exposure to chemicals can cause the gem to deteriorate or change appearance.
Due to the fractures that are naturally present in emeralds, ultrasonic or steam cleaning is not recommended. Instead, use a solution of warm soapy water to gently and safely scrub emeralds clean.
Sapphire
Sapphires generally have excellent toughness, but some substances such as boric acid powder and even lemon juice can cause damage. It’s therefore important to avoid contact with acidic substances, especially if the stone has fractures or cavities.
To clean sapphires, warm soapy water is recommended, as it’s safe for all stones. While ultrasonic and steam cleaning may be used at certain times, this is only ever recommended for a professional jeweller to perform with his/her discretion.
Ruby
To avoid etching and damage, rubies should not be exposed to acidic substances such as boric acid powder and lemon juice, particularly if the stones feature fractures or cavities.
While ultrasonic and steam cleaning may be used at certain times, this is only ever recommended for a professional jeweller to perform with his/her discretion.
Tourmaline
While tourmaline isn’t affected by chemical exposure, it is possible for it to become damaged by heat, which can affect the colour or cause fracturing.
To clean tourmalines, warm soapy water is recommended. Ultrasonic cleaning and steam cleaning should not be used.
Amethyst
In order to clean amethysts, warm soapy water is always a safe option. While ultrasonic cleaning may be used at certain times, this is only ever recommended for a professional jeweller to perform with his/her discretion.
Morganite
Cleaning of morganite can be safely done with warm soapy water. While ultrasonic and steam cleaning may be used at certain times, this is only ever recommended for a professional jeweller to perform with his/her discretion.
Aquamarine
Proper care of aquamarine involves avoiding heat exposure as well as hydrofluoric acid.
For cleaning, warm soapy water is recommended. Ultrasonic and steam cleaning may be used if the stone has no liquid inclusions or fractures.
Coloured Stone Frequently Asked Questions
If you have questions about caring for coloured stone jewellery, you can rely on REIGNE JEWELLERY to have the answers. Here are some of the most frequently asked questions we receive:
Yes, there are some gemstones that can fade over time when exposed to excess sunlight. These gemstones include amethyst, kunzite and rose quartz.
The best way to prevent amethyst jewellery from fading is to avoid prolonged exposure to sunlight and UV light. Amethysts should also be kept away from extreme heat to maintain their colour and prevent fading.
If you have a raw gemstone you’d like made into a jewellery piece, it’s best to bring it into Reigne Jewellery for proper restoration. If you attempt to clean the gemstone yourself, you could risk causing damage to it or negatively affecting its appearance.
Most gemstones can get wet without any damage occurring, however care must be taken with porous stones such as pearl and turquoise. If you’re concerned about a specific stone, Reigne Jewellery can advise you on whether it can become wet.
Yes, coloured gemstones can crack due to a number of reasons, such as impact and exposure to heat. To avoid cracks, take care not to knock or bump your coloured stone jewellery when wearing it. You should also store it safely in a padded jewellery box.
Fall in Love with REIGNE’s Coloured Stone Jewellery
Now you know how to take proper care of your coloured stone jewellery, you might be interested in expanding your collection. Discover our range of coloured stone jewellery today and fall in love with our exquisite pieces.
