Tips For Caring Gemstone Jewelry

The world is full of rocks and minerals. It is an amazing art that how some of these natural rocks are cutted and polished into a brilliant gemstone. There are specialized persons who convert the rough rocks into brilliant gemstones. There are many different types of gemstones such as Ruby, Emerald, Sapphire, Aquamarine, Tourmaline, Amethyst, Citrine, Garnet, Topaz amongst many. All of these require specific care and cleaning procedures. However, there are some general care and cleaning rules which apply to all gemstone jewelry.

- Gemstones are always wiped with soft cloth. Take a clean soft cloth, moisten it a bit and clean your gemstone. This will enhance the luster and ensure that your prized possession of jewelry/gemstone is always clean.

- Avoid having grease paints on the gemstone. Your fingers are the main source of having grease stones.

- Store gemstones and jewelry individually in soft pouches.

- Do not use harmful chemicals, ultrasonic cleaners, solvents to clean opaque gemstones, such as turquoise, malachite, onyx, lapis lazuli and opals. They are a porous stone and may absorb chemicals, which build up inside the stone and cause discoloration.

- Apply makeup, hairsprays, perfumes, deodorants etc before putting on jewelry. The gemstones do not like too much of chemical interference on their body.

- Do not heat/coolen your gemstone jewelry. You may be surprised to know how discoloring can happen if gemstones are subjected to large temperature changes.

- Do not immerse setting jewelry in water. The setting may loosen as a result of this.

- Do not expose gemstones to salt water, abrasive solvents or detergents. These chemicals will erode the finish and polish of gemstone.

- Avoid wearing gemstone jewelry while doing heavy duty works. Some stones like garnet etc. are brittle in nature and can get damaged.

- Do not try to adjust your gemstone in the setting manually. You are not an expert and chances are you may get two broken pieces in hand.

- If you have a worn out gemstone, take it to an expert for re-polish. A few dollars investment here will elongate your gemstone jewelry's life and will give it a new look.