Care for Jewellery
Special advice and caring for your gemstone
To best preserve its natural beauty and keep it looking pristine, your gemstone jewellery should be suitably cared for. A few simple points to remember can ensure the upkeep of your pieces.
- Always remove jewellery when engaging in activities that risk impact or exposure to chemicals or heat such as sports or housework.
- Always put jewellery on last; after clothing, lotions, cosmetics, perfume.
- Always be careful when removing jewellery – never pull on gems.
- Store your jewellery separately in a suitable jewellery box with compartments or individual pouches.
- Carefully wipe jewellery with a soft lint-free cloth after wearing to remove any oil and salts.
- Clean jewellery on occasion with a cleaning solution, suitable mechanical cleaner or simply warm soapy water. Think twice before putting gems in an ultrasonic cleaner. (see individual gem requirements)
- Opaque gems (Lapis Lazuli, Turquoise and Malachite) can be porous and may absorb chemicals and soap, discolouring them. These gem materials should just be wiped clean, gently with a moist cloth.
- Opals also require special care. Never use an ultrasonic, never use ammonia, and avoid heat and strong light that can dry out the water in Opals
- Organic gems like Pearls, Coral, and Amber should only be wiped clean with a moist cloth. Due to their organic nature, these gems are both soft and porous. Be careful about chemicals in hairspray, cosmetics, or perfume; over time they can damage Pearls in particular.
- Stones that have a Mohs hardness of 7 or less are subject to scratching; harder stones are less susceptible, but still subject to chipping and fracture.