Durable, rare and precious; gemstones collectors should know all about caring, cleaning and maintenance for their gemstones. It is important to spend several minutes on a regularly to ensure your gemstones retain their energies and vitality.
Enduring jewellery products, gemstones are passed down as valuable gifts to generations and if they must show the lustre and luminosity like they did the first time, regular care and cleaning is a must.
Jewellery experts recommend soaking your gemstones in lukewarm soapy water for 15-20 minutes after you've worn them. After that wipe the gemstones with a soft cloth or sponge so that you don't scratch the metal setting. Be careful to rinse thoroughly and then dry gently.
Some gemstones need to be treated differently. For example, Ruby and Sapphire are cleaned using an ultrasonic cleaner; however, the same isn’t recommended for Opals and Emeralds. It is safer to clean all gemstones by hand if you are unsure of using an ultrasonic cleaner.
When storing your gemstone jewellery, make sure the gems do not come in contact with each other. Some stones are harder than others and could thus scratch them.
When not in use, store your gemstones in a drawer, a covered and protected container or a jewellery roll. Keep your gemstones away from direct light, as this will fade some of them.
Store the gemstones away from heat, harsh chemicals, perfumes and hairsprays. Avoid a sudden temperature change.
Gemstones are naturally hard substances but not completely imperishable. Even diamonds are damaged when they come in contact with rough surfaces and harsh chemicals.
Avoid wearing your gemstones in situations where they might be subjected to high impact, for example, in the gym. Wear them last and take them off first.
Handle your gemstones with utmost care and never hold your jewellery by the stone. This could cause it to loosen from the mount and pose the risk of losing it.
Don't wear gemstones in chlorinated swimming pools or hot tubs as the effect of Chlorine weakens natural-fibre thread and harms the surface of certain gemstones.
Gemstone
Water Rinse Details
Sunbath Maximum Time
Special Care
Agate
2 - 3 times a week
1 hour
Amethyst
Every day for the first two weeks of constant use. Thereafter, 2 - 3 times a week.
30 minutes
Aquamarine
2 - 3 times a week
5 minutes
Bloodstone
2 - 3 times a week
1 hour
Blue Sapphire
2 - 3 times a week
1 hour
Carnelian
Every day for the first two weeks of constant use. Thereafter, at least 2 - 3 times a week.
1 hour
Store in closed container to counteract its tendency to pick up unwanted energies from the atmosphere.
Citrine
2 - 3 times a week.
Begin with a long cold rinse, and always end with cold water.
5 minutes
Alternative: Place in snow.
Dark Green Aventurine
Every day for the first two weeks of constant use. Thereafter, 2 - 3 times a week.
15 minutes
Alternative: Place on grass in rain for minimum of 30 minutes.
Emerald
2 - 3 times a week
1 hour
Green Tourmaline
2 - 3 times a week
1 hour
Indigo
Avoid rinsing. Rinsing dulls polish.
5 minutes
Wipe with a soft cloth 2 – 3 times a week.
Alternative: Place in moonlight.
Lapis Lazuli
Avoid rinsing. Rinsing dulls polish.
30 minutes
Wipe with a soft cloth 2 – 3 times a week.
Lavender
2 - 3 times a week
1 hour
Leopardskin Jasper
2 - 3 times a week
30 minutes
Light Green Aventurine
Every day for the first two weeks of constant use. Thereafter, 2 – 3 times a week.
15 minutes
Alternative: Place on grass in rain for minimum of 15 minutes.