How to Clean Gemstone Jewelry

Most transparent and hard gemstones can endure being cared for by simply cleaning the jewelry with mild nonabrasive hand detergent and a soft bristled toothbrush and then dried with a soft clean cloth. It is wise to place a soft washcloth in the sink covering the drain, as doing so will aid in preventing any gemstones from becoming chipped or falling down the drain while you are cleaning your jewelry.

Since it is normal to become busy with daily chores, it is in your best interest to remove any type of jewelry while you are doing any type of rough work. This will prevent your gemstones from becoming damaged from any hard blows that may break, chip or crack your gemstones. Also since many gemstones are porous it is best to remove your jewelry such as your gem stone silver rings or gemstone pendant while applying body lotion and hand creams as they tend to cause a build up inside your gemstones and their jewelry settings. It is also wise to remove jewelry with porous gemstones when washing dishes or taking a shower.

Since there are many different kinds of gemstones and they all have their own correspondences as to what they will and will not mix well with, it is in your best interest to do some research into the different kinds of gemstones you own so you will know with an assurance that you are caring for them properly. For instance, some gemstones will be in need of special care and their rules of care should be followed for the best outcome of your gemstone collection. Some opaque gemstones such as onyx, opals and turquoise should never be placed in an ultrasonic cleaner or in ammonia, as this can and will cause them damage. Opals should be kept away from heat and intense lighting as this can cause opals to dry out. Use soft moist cloth to gently clean such gemstones. The organic substance of pearl, amber, coral and abalone are also porous and only require to be wiped off with a soft clean damp cloth while they are being cleaned.

If you are not sure if your gemstones will be safe while being cleaned in an ultrasonic cleaner, do not include them in with the others for cleaning, as some gemstones are vulnerable to internal stress and doing so may cause the gemstones to shatter. Also you should keep in mind that other chemicals are especially damaging to your favorite gemstones, these chemicals are found in perfume, hairspray and cosmetics and with time these chemicals can do a great deal of damage.

You should always take care while cleaning your gemstones and their metal setting not to scratch the metal surfaces, as these are highly polished and can be damaged by use of any abrasive substance and this can cause your jewelry to become lifeless and dull in its appearance. It is highly recommended that you should properly care for and store all your gemstone jewelry, as platinum, silver and gold are all susceptible to becoming scratched by the hardness of gemstones. Store gemstone jewelry away from direct sunlight or heat and avoid exposure to sudden temperature changes.You should consider storing your gemstones separately in soft lint free bags or in the separate compartments of jewelry box, doing so will keep your gemstones attractive looking for many years.