[Jewelry making - Article 00128] - [Orchid] [Favorite tips] Gemstone Care

[Sandra I. Smith]

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    Many gemstone owners enjoy wearing their treasures. Few things can
    ruin that enjoyment faster than the discovery of damage such as
    scratches, chips, or discoloration. Unfortunately, some damage is
    permanent. The good news is that proper cleaning and care prevents
    most gemstone damage. 

    The biggest favor you can do for your gemstone jewelry is to keep it
    clean. Dust, body oils, and chemicals are villains waiting for an
    opportunity to destroy the beauty of your gems. You can eliminate
    most problems by simply wiping all your jewelry with a soft cloth
    after wearing it. Be careful with dust, however, as it contains
    little particles that can scratch most jewelry. Dust must be gently
    whisked off using a soft-bristled brush. Small camel's-hair brushes,
    like those used by artists are good dust removers. 

    There is no one safe way in which to clean all gems. You must
    consider both what the jewelry is made from and how it is made.
    While a gentle soap and water solution is safe for many pieces, it
    can harm other jewelry. 

    Soft, porous gems, such as pearls, turquoise, and opals will absorb
    water--and anything that is in it. The water will evaporate, but the
    chemicals and minerals it contained will remain in the gem, often
    ruining it. Opals need moisture, and an occasional overnight soak in
    pure water will revive them. If the opals are rarely worn,
    periodically dip them in water to which a few drops of glycerine or
    mineral oil have been added. Wiping with a soft cloth after each
    wearing is usually all that the other soft stones need. 

    Most of the hard and nonporous gemstones, such as rubies, sapphires,
    and diamonds, may be dipped in alcohol to dissolve fingerprints and
    body oils. They can also be washed in a weak solution of ammonia. 

    Strung gems should never be immersed in water. Moisture often will
    not evaporate from the stringing material, which causes it to swell
    or deteriorate. That often leads to breakage and potential loss of
    the beads. If the stringing material doesn't break, the trapped
    moisture can damage the inside of the bead. Ivory beads, especially,
    are quickly ruined by dampness on their inside surfaces. 

    You can find a variety of commercial jewelry cleaners on the market.
    Use these with caution. Follow the manufacturer's directions very
    carefully and never use them on any stone or metal not specifically
    listed as safe on the label. The same advice applies also for
    ultrasonic cleaners. If you are sure your metal jewelry is gold or
    silver, it can be safely soaked in a water and detergent solution to
    which a few drops of ammonia have been added. If the metal is brass
    or gold-filled, the ammonia will ruin it. Ammonia also corrodes
    copper. There are many commercial cleaners that are safe for
    sterling, silver-filled, and silver plate jewelry. Those cleaners,
    however, are generally not safe for any gemstones mounted in silver
    jewelry. In that case, apply the cleaner with a cotton swab, taking
    care to avoid getting it on any part of the piece that is not
    silver. 

    The guidelines for silver cleaners apply also to copper
    cleaners--never use them on non-metal surfaces and follow the
    manufacturer's instructions carefully. 

    One easy way to keep your jewelry clean is to put it on after you've
    applied makeup, perfume, or hair spray. Hair spray in particular is
    destructive to many kinds of gems. For example, it permanently dulls
    amber. Take rings off before using hand creams or lotions, to
    prevent a buildup of oil and the dirt it attracts. Removing jewelry
    before cooking, housework, gardening, and similar tasks is also
    highly recommended. Dishwashing detergents and most cleaners will
    remove the finish on even good electroplated jewelry. The acids
    found in many types of cleaners will discolor, if not destroy, most
    jewelry. 

    Many gemstones are sensitive to sudden temperature changes or
    extreme temperatures. For example, wearing an opal ring while
    handling frozen foods can cause the opal to crack. Prolonged periods
    of heat or cold can destroy other gems. Leaving a piece of jewelry
    on the dashboard of a car on a hot, sunny day can ruin the color in
    many stones. Topaz is especially sensitive to both heat and light
    and fades quickly when overexposed to either. Amber melts when it
    gets hot. 

    Many of us store our gemstone jewelry in a tangled mass in a jewelry
    box. That's a sure way to ruin most of it. Any time a gemstone comes
    into contact with another, the softer piece suffers damage. If you
    can't keep each piece in a separate compartment or box, then wrap
    them before storing. Plastic bags are convenient, but materials like
    flannel or chamois offer better protection for your treasures. 

    All the organic gems, such as amber, pearls, ivory, and coral, need
    to breathe. They should never be stored in plastic. Pearls love
    satin-lined boxes. The porous stones, like turquoise and opals, also
    need exposure to fresh air and humidity. They will deteriorate if
    stored in dark, dry places. Wrapping the "breathing" gems in a soft
    cloth is recommended. 

    Sterling silver may be wrapped in cloth impregnated with an
    anti-tarnish agent only if it isn't set with gems. The anti-tarnish
    agent can be destructive to many gems. Treated cloths should not be
    used on gold electroplate. 

    Rescue your treasures now from the bottom of your jewelry box and
    treat them to a gentle cleaning, then wrap and store them
    individually. Your gems will reward your TLC with many years of
    beauty and pleasure in return. 


****Sandra I. Smith, Writer ****




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