Gemstones have captivated humans since ancient times because they are alluring and precious. Because of their many colors, shapes, and sparkle, these precious items draw attention. Their scarcity and originality are what make them so valuable. However, you are very wrong if you believe diamonds require little care because of their resistant nature.
You must treat your gems and gem-studded jewelry with extreme care if you want them to retain their beauty and glitter. These gleaming stones may be tough, but they are not indestructible. Here’s a simple guide on caring after and maintaining the brilliance of your jewels.
Cleaning your jewelry
All precious and semi-precious stones must, of course, be cleaned regularly. However, no special cleaning equipment is required. A mild detergent and warm water work just fine on most stones. To scrub them, use a soft brush, preferably a baby brush with soft bristles. Scrubbing too aggressively may result in scratching the stone.
Always clean your gemstone-encrusted jewelry in a bucket of water. Rinse the stone and carefully dry it with a soft, lint-free towel. The stones in a piece of jewelry might sometimes become loose in their settings. Rinsing them in a sink or wash basin increases the likelihood of losing such gems.
Almost all precious stones, including diamonds, emeralds, and rubies, may be cleaned with a light detergent and water. However, you need to learn more about gemstones and their properties before cleaning them. Some stones are highly delicate.
Use caution when cleaning your gem-studded jewelry by immersing it in any technique. For example, soaking delicate stones like turquoise and amber in water for an extended period might destroy their gloss and brilliance. Before attempting to clean them at home, learn how to do so.
When removing your gemstone jewelry after use, please carefully wash away any dirt, grime, or makeup traces. Wiping such jewelry is best done with a soft clean cotton rag.
Treat your jewelry with care.
Colored gemstones are sometimes treated to increase their color and clarity. Pearls, for example, are often bleached using hydrogen peroxide. Metal oxides are applied to colorless topaz stones. Similarly, glass and resin are frequently employed to cover multiple cracks on the surface of rubies and emeralds. Solvents, ultrasonic cleaners, heat, and steam can diminish these treatments’ effectiveness.
First, determine whether your gemstone has been treated in any way. Then take proper care of it. All bleached and coated stones, in general, should be packed in soft packing and stored in a dry environment. Filled gems should be maintained free from heat and pressure fluctuations.
Store your jewelry separately.
By definition, all precious and semi-precious stones are hard. However, not all of them are the same hardness. Diamonds, for example, are the world’s hardest stone, closely followed by rubies and sapphires. Others include emeralds, topazes, and aquamarines. Pearls and peridots are two of the softest stones. They are only half as hard as a diamond or ruby on the hardness scale.
Therefore it is essential to keep your jewels separate. If you store all of these accessories together, your diamond rings may rub against your pearl bracelet, causing harm to the latter. The ideal solution is to keep them separate in different jewelry box compartments. You may even keep them in separate pouches.
Remember that some gemstones, such as opals and pearls, absorb moisture from the air. As a result, avoid putting them in safe deposit boxes. It is advisable to keep such jewelry in a jewelry box lined with linen.
Protect your jewelry from the elements
Heat and light can affect the color and durability of a precious stone. The sun’s intense rays can injure not just your skin but also your stone jewelry. Many stones, including amethysts and smokey quartzes, can fade in direct sunshine.
Some jewels, such as pearls and ivory, are susceptible to bleaching by the sun. Some gemstones’ intrinsic moisture can be depleted by heat. Some gemstones can shatter due to sudden temperature fluctuations or severe heat. So, always keep your jewels away from direct sunshine and heat.
Keep your gemstone jewelry away from chemicals.
Chemicals may be extremely damaging to your gemstone jewelry, whether made of gold, white gold, or platinum. And we don’t mean a bottle of sulphuric acid or hydrochloric acid when we mention chemicals. Even things you use daily might harm them. Perfumes, hairsprays, cosmetics, lotions, and other similar items include chemicals in varying concentrations. As a result, you must store your gem-studded trinkets separately from your cosmetics box.
Make a point of wearing your gem-studded earrings, bangles, rings, and necklaces last after you are done with makeup and spraying on perfume. It should also be the first thing you take out. This ensures that your diamonds do not come into touch with any chemicals.
Keep your gemstone jewelry away from household items that include bleach, chlorine, or other strong oxidizers. If you enjoy swimming, remove your jewelry before entering a pool. Chlorinated water may be extremely harmful to these treasures.
Check your jewelry for loose gemstones.
Gemstones are prone to getting loose. You probably don’t want to lose one or more stones from your favorite platinum rings or gold necklaces. You should inspect your stone trinkets regularly to ensure that the prongs that hold the stones are not worn out.
Take it to a skilled jeweler regularly to get it tested for loose settings and broken prongs.
Check clasps and fasteners and restring your necklaces and bracelets
If your clasps and fasteners are loose, you risk losing your precious jewelry if they are not correctly adjusted, so have it professionally checked, fixed, or repaired if necessary.
Pearls are often strung tightly with silk and knotted between each pearl to reduce abrasion and loss if the string breaks. Restring your pearls if they appear to “travel” loosely on the thread or if the thread has discolored. If you wear your pearls regularly, have them restrung once a year.
Heavier pearls may require more frequent restringing. If the pearls become dirty, clean them. Pearls may be professionally cleaned or gently washed in warm water, taking care not to strain the thread. Rinse well and let the thread air dry on a towel until entirely dry (usually at least 24 hours).
