Caring For Your Gemstone Jewellery:

Precious and semi-precious gemstone species, commonly used in jewellery, vary greatly in their intrinsic 'hardness'. In general, most gemstones have come to be favoured for adornment not only as a result of their inherent visual attractiveness, but also because they belong to a particular species, which is hard enough to withstand the vigour's of daily wear.

However, with the possible exception of diamond, all gemstones are susceptible to damage. Almost all will suffer scratches and chips in contact with most metals and all can be damaged by extremes of temperature and pressure. A few semi-precious gemstones are extremely soft and can be damaged by a fingernail!

In fact, it's even a fallacy to say that diamond cannot be damaged -diamonds will shatter in some circumstances. The old 'glass test',beloved of thriller writers, by which one tests the quality/authenticity of diamond jewellery, by attempting to scratch other hard surfaces, is not recommended!

As there are large differences in 'hardness' and therefore resilience to scratches, knocks, bumps and bangs, between each gemstone species, it's sensible to apply the same care considerations to all, before then applying additional specific special care for your particular gemstone species.

Cleaning Gemstone Jewellery.

• Keep your gemstone jewellery clean. A dry soft cotton cloth rub, after each wear, is by far the best way to prolong the beauty of your jewellery.
• Harder non-porous semi-precious gemstones, such as the quartz family and most precious gemstones can have heavy dirt removed using mild soapy water and a damp cloth. However several semi-precious species are not only porous but actually DISSOLVE in water! Great care is needed in accurately identifying your gemstone.
• It is wise to protect all semi-precious and precious gemstones from excessive heat and pressures. Both when wearing and when in storage.
• Excessive sun exposure will affect most semi-precious gemstones, some such as Amethyst will actually change colour.
• Household chemicals, cosmetics, body oils and dust can all damage gemstones. Always put your jewellery on after your make-up and perfume.
• Do not use silver cleaner on gemstones. Be careful to ensure that the silver cleaner only touches the silver part of your jewellery. Anti-tarnish agents can damage some gemstones.
• Store gemstone jewellery pieces individually - do not store in a big jumbled jewellery box. Your gemstone jewellery will scratch in contact with other jewellery items.
• Turquoise, Opals, Pearls, Mother of Pearl, Abalone, Shells and Corals all benefit from breathable storage. These species do not like long exposure to dry heated environments.
• It is sometimes advised to occasionally immerse gemstones, such as Opals, in water. Opals need moisture to look at their best. However, as most jewellery is a combination of materials, we would not advise immersion of your jewellery. It's also important to note that water is very rarely free of microscopic particulate matter, such as salts and other minerals; once the moisture has dried these particles remain trapped inside the gemstone. One has only to look at a granite cliff-face, to see the natural repercussions of this geological process. Cracks and fissures will form within your gemstone in exactly the same way!
• Strung beads and gemstone necklaces will hold onto moisture within the stringing material and should never be immersed in water.

If in any doubt, it is always best to seek the professional cleaning service of a jeweller. The cost of professionally cleaning your precious jewellery is not likely to be very great, especially when considered in relation to the 'cost' of damaging your jewellery.In the case of precious gemstone jewellery, the stone itself is likely to be by far the most expensive and difficult component to replace, regularly check the prongs, clasps and fitments of your jewellery.