Looking After Your Gemstones in Jewellery

With regular cleaning and care, our jewellery will give you years of pleasure from generation to generation. As all gemstones properties vary, so do the ways in which they should be cleaned. Below we have summarized a few helpful hints to keep your gems sparkling.

JEWELLERY

When your gemstone jewellery is not being worn, store each item separately in a soft, lint-free pouch to prevent rubbing and scratching.

Avoid contact with household chemicals such as chlorine bleach, as this may discolour the metal.

Remove jewellery prior to partaking in manual work such as gardening and vigorous exercise – strong impact may lead to fractures.

Ensure that your jewellery is cleaned and inspected by a professional jeweller once a year. 

DIAMOND JEWELLERY

You can clean your diamond jewellery in a commercial ultrasonic cleaner and follow the instructions provided. Alternatively, place in a bowl of warm soapy water and rub gently but firmly with a soft toothbrush, then rinse and repeat if necessary. Dry well with an absorbent cloth. 

SAPPHIRE AND RUBY JEWELLERY   

Place in a bowl of warm soapy water and rub gently but firmly with a soft toothbrush, then rinse and repeat if necessary. 

Dry well with an absorbent cloth. Keep stored away from harder gemstones such as diamonds. 

EMERALD JEWELLERY

Place in a bowl of warm soapy water and rub very gently. Emeralds are delicate gemstones due to their numerous inclusions or ‘jardin’. Do not place in a commercial ultrasonic.

PEARL JEWELLERY

It is essential that you apply body lotions, perfume, hairspray etc before putting on your pearls. As these products are acidic they will eat into the nacre, and your pearls will lose their iridescence. After wearing your pearls, wipe with a soft damp lint free cloth to remove any perfume, dirt, body cream or perspiration on the surface of the pearls. 

Do not ever use any cleaning liquids such as bleaches and ultrasonic cleaners. Only use cleaning lotion specifically formulated to be used with pearls. Store your pearls in a suede box or pouch, away from any other items of jewellery, especially Diamonds, which will scratch. 

If you wear your pearls frequently, take them to a professional jeweller to have them restrung once a year. A tell-tale sign that they need restringing is if the silk thread has stretched or turned dark. 

ULTRASONIC CLEANERS

To prevent possible damage, the following gemstones should never be cleaned in an ultrasonic cleaner; Amber, Opal, Tanzanite, Pearl, Turquoise, Emerald, Lapis Lazuli and Malachite.