How to Care for Gem Stones
They say diamonds are a girl's best friend. But then again, so are pearls and sapphires and rubies and emeralds and so on.
In reality, a girl just cannot have enough gem stones in her jewelry collection so it is important to take proper care of those gem stones to make sure their brilliance endures over time.
While many people might think that gem stones are durable, most are actually pretty brittle and many are very soft. In addition, some can be damaged by heat, vibration or chemicals, which is why any proud jewelry owner should know how to properly clean each kind of gem stone.
Diamonds
Diamonds are, in fact, the strongest of the gem stones. However, they still can be chipped by a sharp, sudden blow so you should not wear diamond jewelry while doing rigorous work.
Over time, diamonds can become smudged, soiled and dusty as lotions, soaps and even the skin's natural oils create a film on the diamonds, cutting down their brilliance. To keep that brilliant "glow," you should clean your diamonds regularly using a commercial jewelry cleaner, a mile detergent or a mix of water and ammonia. Just dip the jewelry in the solution and use a soft brush to remove any dust or dirt from under the setting.
Sapphires, Rubies and Emeralds
Sapphires and rubies are among the most durable gem stones, second only to diamonds. You can clean both sapphires and rubies using soapy water or a gentle commercial solvent and a soft brush.
Emeralds, considered to be the most valuable of all gem stones, are less durable than the sapphire and ruby. The fairly brittle stone can split if exposed to sharp impact. To clean your emerald jewelry, use warm water, a soft cloth and a soft brush. It is important to avoid using mechanical cleaners or chemicals and heat that can dissolve the oils used during the cutting and processing of the emerald to conceal any inclusions.
Pearls
Produced by living creatures like oysters, pearls are delicate in nature and particularly susceptible to damage so it is important to use extra care when cleaning your cultured pearl jewelry.
When cleaning cultured pearl jewelry, you can use water and a mild soap. You want to avoid using any chemicals, abrasives or solvents when cleaning pearls as these substances can damage the gem. In addition, because they are so delicate, pearls should be stored in a chamois bag or wrapped in tissue in order to avoid scratching the soft surface.
Other Delicate Stones
Pearls are not the only delicate gem stones found in fine jewelry. Other soft stones that need special care include amber, lapis, lazuli, turquoise, malachite, choral and opals. For these stones, extended soaking in any solution can harm their polish. To clean delicate stones, it is best to rinse them in clean water and dry them with a soft cloth.
To prevent damaging your delicate gem stones, you should avoid exposing them to temperature extremes as well as sudden changes in temperature. In addition, these stones should be kept out of prolonged sunlight as the heat can cause a discoloration in the stone.
