How to Properly Care for Precious Stones
In a previous post we looked at four ways you can care for your fine jewelry. Now we’re going to talk about how you can store and care for your precious stones. And all you need are normal household tools and products. You’ll see how easy it is to keep your precious stones looking brilliant and new.
How to keep track of your precious stones
What’s worse than a dirty gemstone? A lost gemstone. Here are some tips for making sure you don’t lose your precious stones.
Always check your jewelry for loose stones. It’s very easy. All you do is gently set your finger on the edge of the stone to see if it moves. Don’t press too hard, or you could loosen the stone even more. If you feel any movement, remove the item and store it in a safe place like a jewelry pouch. Then take the piece to your jeweler for repair. Do not risk wearing jewelry with loose stones.
Proper storage will also help you keep track of your precious stones. And by proper storage, we don’t mean throwing them in a big box in your closet. When you store jewelry in a box, a lot of bad things can happen: tangled necklaces, lost earrings, and scratched gemstone, to name a few.
Use a cloth-lined jewelry box with compartments to store your items. Do not store your gemstones in hot, light places. You want dry and cool. Keep hard stones like diamonds, rubies, and sapphires together. Separate softer gemstones like pearls because they could be scratched. Not only will this storage method keep your stones looking great, but it will save you the hassle of searching everywhere for that matching earring.
How to clean your precious stones
Some gemstones are very tough, but that doesn’t mean they can’t get dirty. Precious stones can collect dust, oils from our skin, and chemicals from skin products. Some of these oils and chemicals can corrode certain gemstones. Luckily, cleaning precious stones is easy. All you need is
A bowl of warm water
Mild detergent
Soft baby brush
Lint-free cloth
It’s important that you do not wash your jewelry in a sink. Many people have cleaned a piece of jewelry in a sink, and in the process they dislodged one of the stones. They drain the water, and only afterward do they realize they’re missing a stone. But it’s too late. So always use a bowl, and check your jewelry and the water before you dump it.
The washing process is simple. Just wet the jewelry, apply soap to the soft-bristled brush, and gently brush the jewelry. Don’t brush too hard or you could loosen your precious stones. Next soak and rinse the piece, and dry it with your lint-free cloth. Make sure the piece is thoroughly dried before storing it, as sitting water can damage your jewelry.
Another way to clean your precious stones is using an ultrasonic cleaner. But be careful. Not all gemstones should be cleaned this way. For example, porous gemstones like pearl, ivory, amber, moonstone, and coral can be damaged by ultrasonic cleaners. If you’re ever uncertain about how to clean a precious stone, take it to a professional. It’s not worth the risk of damaging the piece.
Finally, make sure your stones are appraised and insured. At Ohio Gem Lab, we specialize in gemstone and diamond appraisal. We’re impartial, and we use the latest industry information, so you can rest assured that your precious stones are fairly appraised and well-insured. For more information about our appraisal services, contact us. We look forward to helping you care for your precious stones.
