Jewellery Care Tips
Gemstones
Although gemstones are some of the most durable of the world’s natural materials, they still need some care to maintain their natural beauty, and colour and shape.
Store fine jewellery and gems in separate pouches, padded compartments or wrapped in a soft lint free cloth to prevent scratching, chipping and entanglement.
Porous gems including turquoise, amber, opal and pearls may absorb liquid substances, in the same way that other, non-gemstones absorb liquid. Porous gems are usually those which are not made from a single crystal, and are therefore opaque. Liquids and oils can seep into the gems through the tiny cracks between the crystals, causing permanent discolouration and damage. Therefore all porous gemstones should be kept away from dirty water, oils, chemicals, cosmetics and cleaning agents. Particular substances to protect your gems from include household chemicals – even those as mild as washing up liquid – cosmetic products such as sunscreen and hairspray, as well as hand lotions and face creams. In addition, porous gems should not be worn to a beach, or other hot, extreme environments. To clean, wipe these gems gently with a soft, damp cloth or sponge, and dry using a lint-free cloth.
When cleaning non-porous gemstones, wash them very gently with a weak solution of mild detergent, rinse with clean lukewarm water, and dry them with a soft, lint-free cloth. On harder stones, it is safe to do a little very gentle scrubbing with a soft toothbrush. If you are cleaning jewellery, however, be careful not to scrub highly polished metal surfaces, as the slight abrasive action of the brush can wear away the plating or polish of the metal. A little soaking might be necessary to remove heavier deposits.
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