How to Clean Gemstone Jewelry

HOW TO CLEAN GEMSTONE JEWELRY.

From the dusky blue skies of azurite and the sunray sparkle of a diamond to the grey dusky tones of sapphire, the gemstones we choose to love are important to our personalities and stylings – and so is the way we clean them.

The type of gemstone and setting will impact how you clean your jewelry. In this blog, learn how your gemstones may be at risk and what to avoid to protect their shine and security.

IF IT’S GLUE, DON’T LET IT STEW.

If gemstones are attached by glue rather than placed into a jewelry setting, do not let the jewelry soak in solutions or warm water. The glue can be removed by the water and cause the gemstones to loosen in their setting or fall out, especially when the soak has been followed by brushing. Instead of soaking, dip a cloth into the cleaning solution of your choice and wash the jewelry with the dampened cloth. Afterward, use a cloth only dampened with water to remove excess solution. Pat the jewelry dry with a soft cloth, then place it upside down or hang it to encourage moisture to escape.

SET FOR SUCCESS.

Cleaning time is an opportunity to check the condition of the gemstone setting. Evaluate the security and integrity of the gemstone by checking the snugness of the prongs or the condition of the glue and checking the gemstone for any hairline cracks, splits, or dents.

EASY ON THE POUR IF IT’S POROUS.

If your stone is porous, such as opal or emerald, do not let it soak, as it can absorb liquids. Absorption and prolonged exposure to carried residues can diminish the shine and appearance of the stone. In the most dramatic cases, it can cause the stone to disintegrate.

OH[PAL], DON’T DO THAT!

Opals & Turquoise: Never use ammonia or hand sanitizer on turquoise or opals. It can cause cracking or surface damage, reducing the shine and longevity of the gemstone.

CRACKING UNDER THE [WATER] PRESSURE.

Be careful with using hot water or taking jewelry through rapid temperature changes as it can crack some precious stones. Instead, use warm water and be aware if your jewelry is cold before you expose it to vastly different temperature. Don’t switch entirely to cool water; it does little to loosen the grime.

TO “BLEACH” HIS OWN.

Avoid using bleach or any type of chlorine. They can damage precious stones and cause discoloration. Hence, try to remove all jewelry before swimming in a chlorinated pool!

IT’S FOR THE TEETH.

No matter what people say, toothpaste is for your teeth…and that’s it! Toothpaste can scratch gold jewelry and gemstones, so let this bathroom product hack stay in the bathroom.

Now that you are well versed in the cautions and care of gemstone cleaning, choose your jewelry type to learn about the safe, at-home cleaning methods you can use to get your pieces shining bright like a diamond, no matter the jewel in the setting.