Gemstones are a form of minerals that come in different types and colours. The most common gemstones used in jewellery are diamonds, sapphires, rubies, emeralds and opals. While diamonds and sapphires are the hardest gemstones, emeralds and opals are the softest. Most of the gemstones are extracted from the Earth's surface but some are obtained through mining. Since these precious stones are available in limited quantity, only a few people can afford to buy them. Most gemstones are found in the form of clusters or grit. These precious gems are used to create jewellery and accessories of different kinds due to their rich colours and unmatched beauty. But these gems are not indestructible and require some maintenance to keep them in a perfect form. Jewellery made of gemstones requires extra care. This is because gemstones can be very delicate and are prone to damage if they are not handled with care. Even an innocent fall can damage them.
To prevent your jewellery from getting damaged, consider the following tips;
Cleaning the Stones; If the stone has a dirt ring around it, soak it in warm water with a drop of dishwashing liquid. Use your finger to gently rub the dirt ring away. Gemstones can discolour with time. The discolouration is due to exposure to chemicals, certain minerals, and other elements. To clean a discoloured stone soak it in warm water and add a little bit of bleach or ammonia. Let it soak for an hour.
If you are using a liquid, make sure to test it on a hidden area first. It is not a good idea to use a hard brush on your gemstones, as they can erode the polish. When you clean your gemstones, you can use natural products too. For instance, you can use salt and lemon juice to clean your citrine, pear, and aquamarine jewellery. All you need is to mix equal amounts of salt, lemon juice, and hydrogen peroxide and then soak your gems in it for some time. Once you are done, wipe the surface of your gemstones with a soft, clean cloth. You might find cleaning small gemstones a little challenging; especially if they are too tiny to handle. But if you clean such stones using a soft toothbrush and a solution, you can get them clean without getting your hands dirty. When you clean your precious stones, do not use too much pressure. Harsh rubbing can damage their surfaces. Avoid using ultrasonic cleaners and steam cleaners too on your stone. They can loosen the prongs holding a stone in place, or loosen stones that are glued on, thus resulting in permanent damage.
Store Stones Correctly; Some stones are so soft that they are easily scratched even with your fingernail. If you store your ornaments in a wooden jewellery box or a velvet jewellery pouch, you are going to see that all the hard stones scratch the soft ones. In the process, the stones are also rubbed against each other and become scratched and dull. Some specialists recommend storing soft and hard stones separately. However, you can use either a fabric jewellery pouch or a wooden jewellery box as long as you do not place all the stones together. Use sectional boxes and sections to separate different hardness levels of stones.
If you use a second box to separate stones of different hardness, be sure to store them in separate drawers or sections in a jewellery box.
Wear them Safely; Take Care of Your Gemstones in Water. Gemstones should not be immersed in water for long periods or be used for swimming or showering. Water can cause damage to gemstones by causing discolouration, etching and excessive abrasion. As long as you wash your gemstone under warm water, it should be just fine. Let Your Gemstones Breathe!
But nothing lasts forever — not even precious stones. Eventually, all stones will lose their lustre, which is an indicator of the way it was handled. But, the good news is that this can be delayed through care and protection. Keeping the stones safe can take them a long way. We hope these tips will help you keep yours safe!