Care for your Gemstones

Caring for your Gems

If you look after your gems the will look better and last longer.

It is important to realise that colored gemstones are not as durable as diamonds.

Many gemstones are susceptible to thermal shock – sudden temperature changes. These include emerald, garnet, kunzite, opal, peridot, quartz, tanzanite, topaz and tourmaline.  You should not e.g. lay in the sun and then jump in a swimming pool while wearing these gems, nor should you go from a not oven to a cold sink of water or from a hot bath to a cold shower.  If you do, the sudden temperature drop could possibly cause the stones to crack or shatter.

With some stones, you should avoid heat in general.  These include amethyst, emerald, kunzite, malachite, opal, red tourmaline and turquoise.  Don’t leave these gems sitting on a sunny window sill or wear them to the beach.  The heat might make amethyst, kunzite and red tourmaline fade and it could dry out and discolour the fillings in emeralds.  It could cause small cracks in some malachites, opal and turquoise.

Malachite and turquoise are usually sensitive to chemicals. Ammonia and acid solutions as well as everyday products such as perfumes and lotions can harm them.  Pickling solutions used by jewelleries and some acids will etch the surface of peridots.  Solvents such as alcohol and acetone will gradually dissolve the fillers in emeralds and other oil or filled stones.  Dyed lapis, dyed jade and other dyed stones are also adversely affected by solvents.  Chlorine can gradually pit and dissolve gold alloys.  The pitting can also occurwile swimming or while soaking in a hot tub with chlorine.

The safest way to clean a gemstone is to wash it in lukewarm water using a mild liquid soap or detergent that contains no ammonia. Then dry it with a soft, lint free cloth.  If the dirt can’t be washed off with a cloth, try using a tooth pick or a water pik to remove it.  If that does not work have it professionally cleaned. 

Jewellers often clean stones with ultrasonic cleaners, which send high frequency sound waves through solutions. The vibrating fluid removes built-up dirt, but it can also shake poorly set stones from their mountings and damage some types of gems,

Ultrasonic cleanings only advisable for the following stones:

Chrysoberyl, Diamond, Jade, Spinel

Ultrasonic cleaners should also be avoided with:

-          Badly flawed stones of any species – they can be further damaged by ultrasonic cleaning

-          Oiled and/or dyed stones – the oil and dye may be removed, often quickly

-          Stones with glass filled cavities – the filling may fall out

Any kind of fracture-filled stone, including diamond.  The cleaning solution or vibration could cause the fillings to gradually cloud, discolour or be removed

 

Information extracted from:  Gemstone Buying Guideby Renee Newman GG

NB:  If you are looking for a specific stone, raw, faceted or cabochon, do contact me at:

 

Mobile: 98297340                                                             SKYPE: ededed2705

Email: et1957@eds-creation.com.sg

Or visit my Shop @ 442 Orchard Road, #03-22 Orchard Hotel Shopping Arcade S(238879)