How to Clean Your Gemstones: Care Guide for Sparkling Jewelry
Gold jewelry adorned with gemstones embodies luxury and refinement. However, over time, their brilliance may fade. And improper maintenance can cause irreversible damage. To preserve their beauty, proper cleaning is essential. Discover our expert tips for caring for your platinum or gold jewelry set with precious or semi-precious stones safely.
Precious and semi-precious stones : understanding what you are maintaining
Before cleaning your jewelry, it is essential to understand the nature of the stones they contain. Precious and semi-precious stones have varying levels of resistance and hardness. To determine this, the Mohs scale is used, which ranges from 1 (very soft) to 10 (extremely hard). This scale helps determine their resistance to scratches and their sensitivity.
• Precious stones such as diamond (10), ruby (9), sapphire (9), and emerald (7.5-8) are generally more resistant and can withstand slightly more intensive cleaning. The same applies to spinel (8), a fine stone. On this subject, see our sapphire care guide
• Fine stones such as amethyst (7), tourmaline (7 to 7.5), or garnet (6.5 to 7.5) are also quite hard but require special attention to avoid scratches or impacts
• Some fine stones are softer and more porous, such as malachite (3.5-4), lapis lazuli (5-6), or moonstone (6-6.5), and require very gentle cleaning methods
Knowing the hardness of your stones is essential for choosing the right cleaning method and avoiding damage.See our gemstone guide for a comprehensive overview of this fascinating world.
Precautions before cleaning
Before we dive into cleaning sapphires, diamonds, and other tourmalines, a few precautions are necessary:
• Inspect your jewelry to ensure the settings are secure and that no stone is at risk of coming loose
• Avoid harsh chemicals such as ammonia or bleach, which can damage both the metal and the stones
• Adapt the method to the type of stone, for example, avoid hot water for porous stones like opal or turquoise
General method for cleaning your gold jewelry with gemstones
Cleaning gold jewelry set with gemstones can be done easily with the right steps:
1.Prepare a gentle solution by mixing lukewarm water with a few drops of mild soap
2. Use a soft-bristled brush, such as a baby toothbrush, to reach delicate areas
3. Gently clean the setting and the stone using light circular motions
4. Rinse thoroughly under a stream of clear water to remove any soap residue
5. Dry with a soft, lint-free cloth to preserve the shine
Semi-precious stone care
Semi-precious stones such as garnet require special attention due to their relative fragility.Here are some specific tips:
• Prefer dry cleaning or use a soft, slightly damp cloth for porous stones such as malachite, lapis lazuli, or turquoise
• Avoid prolonged immersion in water, which can alter the structure and color of certain stones
• Do not use ultrasonic devices for delicate stones such as pearls or turquoise
What you should absolutely avoid
To protect your jewelry, certain mistakes should be avoided:
• Using abrasive products such as baking soda or vinegar
• Cleaning sensitive stones such as emeralds or opals with ultrasound
• Exposing your jewelry to excessive heat, direct light, or sudden temperature changes
Expert tips to preserve the brilliance of your gemstone jewelry
To prolong the beauty and brilliance of your sapphire jewelry and other gemstones, follow these recommendations:
• Store each piece of jewelry separately in pouches or cases to avoid friction
• Remove them when doing household chores, visiting the pool, during sports, etc.
• Clean your jewelry regularly and gently to prevent the accumulation of dirt
• Have the setting checked by a professional at least once a year if the piece contains valuable stones
When in doubt, refrain or be extremely cautious
Proper cleaning is essential to preserve the splendor of your gold jewelry set with precious stones. If you have any doubts about the care of a piece, do not hesitate to consult a jeweler.
