Precious gemstone jewellery is not only a significant investment but also a wonderful reflection of your style and individuality. Whether you have a magnificent sapphire engagement ring or a series of gleaming emerald earrings, caring after your gemstone jewellery is critical to ensuring its life and brightness.
Owing to this, today we will take you through the best procedures for cleaning and caring for your valuable gemstone jewellery but before going into cleaning and caring tips, it’s crucial to understand your jewels’ particular features and characteristics.
Knowing Your Gemstones
Diamonds
Diamonds, the hardest gemstone, are generally low-maintenance but might benefit from frequent cleaning to keep their luster.
Sapphires and Rubies
Sapphires and rubies are both corundum gemstones which makes them relatively durable. They can, however, get scratched and should be cleaned gently.
Emeralds
Emeralds are softer and more easily scratched. They require special care to avoid scratches and fractures.
Pearls
While pearls are not technically jewels, they are organic and fragile. They need extra attention to keep their shine.
Now that you have an understanding of your gemstones, let us look at how to care for and clean your valuable gemstone jewellery.
Caring For Your Gemstone Jewellery
Taking care of your gemstone jewellery is not rocket science as all you need to do is follow a few simple guidelines:
• Keep your jewellery in a safe place because certain pieces are easily broken.
• Avoid rubbing oils on your skin when wearing jewellery since this might fade the color of your valuable stones.
• Make a habit of cleaning your jewellery items on a regular basis to keep their natural luster and sparkle. Get expert aid to polish your jewellery regularly or as needed.
• Always check your stones to ensure they are not loose in their settings. If they are, you must return them to your jeweler to have them repaired to prevent them from slipping off.
• Remove your jewellery before bathing or engaging in any other water-related activity.
Cleaning Your Gemstone Jewellery
• Fill a large basin halfway with warm, clear water and a few drops of mild dish soap or baby shampoo. Harsh cleansers are a no-no.
• Dip your jewellery into the water for a few seconds and set it aside.
• Gently rub your jewellery with a toothbrush with ‘soft’ or ‘extra soft’ bristles.
• Be cautious not to overdo or be too harsh, since this may cause stone discolouration.
• Unfortunately, dirt builds around the prong/collet frame or even under the gemstone in gem-studded jewellery. To remove more persistent accumulations, shaved toothpicks might be used. To avoid damage, keep it mild and do not overdo it.
• After washing, rinse with clean water at the same temperature as before and properly pat dry the jewellery. It is critical to keep the water temperature almost constant at all times, as dramatic temperature swings can be harmful to gemstones.
Wrapping Up
Now that you know the right cleaning and caring tips, it’s safe to say that with the proper care and attention, your precious gemstone jewellery can last for generations or even longer.
Regular cleaning, delicate handling and expert maintenance are vital for maintaining the beauty and value of your gemstone items. By following these cleaning and caring tips, you can restore the brilliance of your jewels and save a lot of money that you would have spent on having them cleaned by a jeweller.