Caring for and Cleaning Gemstone Jewelry

Most gemstones become dull after wearing asTake care when wearing Opal. Avoid exposure to
residue from your hands; cosmetics and soapheat, contact with chemicals, and protect from
build up on them and take away the fire, brilliancescratches and harsh blows. To clean, gently scrub
and color. If you wear your gemstone jewelrywith a soft toothbrush and a solution of mild dish
daily you will need to clean it more often, mostsoap and warm water.
gemstones can be cleaned at home with everyPeridot
day cleaning solutions, however some will requirePeridot is rated fair for everyday wear with care.
an ultra sonic cleaner. If you do not have a smallAvoid exposure to heat and sudden changes in
home ultrasonic cleaner you can take yourtemperature. Avoid contact with chemicals. To
gemstones jewelry to a jeweller who will be ableclean, gently scrub with a soft toothbrush and a
to clean the items for you.solution of mild dish soap and warm water.
One other important point to remember is if youPearl
wear your gemstone jewelry daily you shouldPearls are not for everyday wear, and one should
have your gemstone mountings checked andtake care when wearing. Avoid exposure to heat
re-tighten if necessary every six to twelveand protect from scratches and harsh blows.
months, as gemstones can come loose andAvoid contact with chemicals, especially perfumes,
fallout.perspiration and hair sprays. To clean, wipe gently
The following is a list of gemstones, their wearwith a moist cloth.
characteristics and how to clean themQuartz, Smoky
AmethystSmoky Quartz is rated good for everyday wear.
Amethyst is rated good for everyday wear.Avoid direct sunlight and exposure to heat that
Avoid direct sunlight and exposure to heat thatmay cause color to fade. Avoid contact with
may cause color to fade. Avoid contact withchemicals. To clean, gently scrub with a soft
chemicals. To clean, gently scrub with a softtoothbrush and a solution of mild dish soap and
toothbrush and a solution of mild dish soap andwarm water, or clean in an at-home ultrasonic
warm water, or clean in an at-home ultrasonicunit.
unit.Ruby
AmetrineRubies are rated excellent for everyday wear.
Ametrine is rated good for everyday wear. AvoidAvoid exposure to heat and contact with
direct sunlight and exposure to heat that maychemicals. To clean, gently scrub with a soft
cause color to fade. Avoid contact with chemicals.toothbrush and a solution of mild dish soap and
To clean, gently scrub with a soft toothbrush andwarm water, or clean in an at-home ultrasonic
a solution of mild dish soap and warm water, orunit.
clean in an at-home ultrasonic unit.Sapphire
AquamarineSapphires are rated excellent for everyday wear.
Aquamarine is rated good for everyday wear.Avoid exposure to heat and contact with
Avoid exposure to heat, contact with chemicals,chemicals. To clean, gently scrub with a soft
and protect from scratches and harsh blows. Totoothbrush and a solution of mild dish soap and
clean, gently scrub with a soft toothbrush and awarm water, or clean in an at-home ultrasonic
solution of mild dish soap and warm water.unit.
CitrineTanzanite
Citrine is rated good for everyday wear. AvoidTanzanite is not for everyday wear, and one
direct sunlight and exposure to heat that mayshould take care when wearing. Avoid exposure
cause color to fade. Avoid contact with chemicals.to heat and sudden changes in temperature.
To clean, gently scrub with a soft toothbrush andAvoid contact with chemicals. To clean, gently
a solution of mild dish soap and warm water, orscrub with a soft toothbrush and a solution of
clean in an at-home ultrasonic unit.mild dish soap and warm water.
CameoTiger's Eye
Cameos are quite fragile and are not forTiger's Eye is rated good for everyday wear.
everyday wear and special care should be takenAvoid exposure to heat and sudden changes in
wearing. Avoid exposure to heat, contact withtemperature. Avoid contact with chemicals. To
chemicals, and protect from scratches and harshclean, gently scrub with a soft toothbrush and a
blows. To clean, wipe gently with a moist cloth.solution of mild dish soap and warm water, or
Emeraldclean in an at-home ultrasonic unit.
Emerald is rated fair to good for everyday wearTopaz, Precious
with care. Avoid exposure to heat, contact withPrecious Topaz is rated good for everyday wear.
chemicals, and protect from scratches and harshAvoid direct sunlight and exposure to heat that
blows. To clean, gently scrub with a softmay cause color to fade. Avoid contact with
toothbrush and a solution of mild dish soap andchemicals. To clean, gently scrub with a soft
warm water.toothbrush and a solution of mild dish soap and
Garnetwarm water.
Garnet is rated good for everyday wear. AvoidTopaz, Blue and White
exposure to heat and sudden changes inBlue and White Topaz is rated fair to good for
temperature. To clean, gently scrub with a softeveryday wear with care. Avoid direct sunlight
toothbrush and a solution of mild dish soap andand exposure to heat that may cause color to
warm water, or clean in an at-home ultrasonicfade. Avoid contact with chemicals. To clean,
unit.gently scrub with a soft toothbrush and a solution
Ioliteof mild dish soap and warm water.
Iolite is rated fair for everyday wear with care.Topaz, Diffused (coated)
Avoid exposure to heat, contact with chemicals,Diffused Topaz is rated good for everyday wear.
and protect from scratches and harsh blows. ToAvoid contact with chemicals. Re-cutting is
clean, gently scrub with a soft toothbrush and anotrecommended. To clean, gently scrub with a
solution of mild dish soap and warm water.soft toothbrush and a solution of mild dish soap
Jade - Nephriteand warm water, or clean in an at-home ultrasonic
Jade is rated fair for everyday wear with care.unit.
Avoid exposure to heat, contact with chemicals,Tourmaline
and protect from scratches and harsh blows. ToTourmaline is rated fair to good for everyday
clean, gently scrub with a soft toothbrush and awear with care. Avoid exposure to heat and
solution of mild dish soap and warm water, orprotect from scratches and harsh blows. To
clean in an at-home ultrasonic unit.clean, gently scrub with a soft toothbrush and a
Onyxsolution of mild dish soap and warm water.
Onyx is rated fair for everyday wear. AvoidTurquoise
exposure to heat, contact with chemicals, andTurquoise is rated fair for everyday wear with
protect from scratches and harsh blows. Tocare. Avoid exposure to heat, contact with
clean, gently scrub with a soft toothbrush and achemicals, and protect from scratches and harsh
solution of mild dish soap and warm water, orblows. To clean, gently scrub with a soft
clean in an at-home ultrasonic unit.toothbrush and a solution of mild dish soap and
Opalwarm water.