| Caring for Gemstone Jewelry | | | | probably have to do a deeper cleaning using a silver |
| You don't need to invest in expensive cleaning | | | | paste cleaner, dip, or silver polish spray. Care must be |
| products to take care of your gemstone jewelry. | | | | taken to use the appropriate polish or cleaner that will |
| Some ordinary household cleaners will do the job. | | | | not harm your gemstones. |
| Here's what you need to know about the cleaning and | | | | Where to Store Gemstones |
| care of your gemstone jewelry. | | | | Use a soft cloth or lined case or box to store your |
| Four Steps to Cleaning Gemstone Jewelry | | | | gemstone jewelry. Be sure they don't touch each |
| 1. Use a soft cloth to remove dirt and other residue | | | | other or other jewelry. Gemstones are harder than |
| 2. Gently clean in warm, soapy water with a soft | | | | gold, silver, or platinum and could scratch those |
| brush. Some items that will do the job are soft | | | | precious metals if not kept apart from them. |
| toothbrushes and mild dishwashing liquids. | | | | To reduce tarnish on sterling silver, it is recommended |
| 3. Soak the jewelry in soapy water for about 20 | | | | that you keep it in an air-tight protective bag made of |
| minutes | | | | tarnish-proof cloth, or you can use a plastic zip-lock |
| 4. Remove from water, gently brush it again and rinse | | | | bag made of of Mylar or polyethylene. |
| it thoroughly. Always take care to avoid scratching the | | | | Wearing Gemstone Jewelry |
| metal of the setting | | | | Gemstones are extremely hard, and many are able to |
| Never use toothpaste or bleach on jewelry! Do not | | | | resist scratching. Rubies and sapphires, for example, |
| use home ultrasonic cleaners on gemstone jewelry. | | | | are on a par with diamonds for hardness. But that |
| The exceptions are rubies and sapphires, which can | | | | doesn't mean these or other gemstones are |
| be cleaned with home ultrasonic cleaners. Never clean | | | | indestructible. Even the toughest gemstone can be |
| a gemstone in an ultrasonic cleaner that has a porous | | | | damaged by harsh chemicals, abrasive surfaces and |
| composition, especially opals. And always clean | | | | sharp blows. |
| emeralds by hand. | | | | Opals are highly sensitive to temperature changes and |
| Organic gems like pearls, coral and amber should be | | | | should be worn on the inside of clothing to protect |
| wiped only with a moist cloth. Be careful about | | | | them if leaving a warm house and going out into the |
| chemicals in hairsprays, cosmetics, or perfumes. They | | | | winter cold. |
| can, over time, damage pearls in particular. | | | | If you use care when cleaning and storing your |
| Clean sterling silver jewelry with a soft, 100 percent | | | | jewelry, then you'll be able to enjoy each piece for |
| cotton cloth or flannel cloth and gently rub. If you need | | | | years and years. |
| more cleaning than a polishing cloth can do, you will | | | | |