Although gemstones are among the most durable of substances, they do need some care.
Following a few general rules will make sure that they last for generations still looking like
the day you bought them.
First of all: keep them clean! Rings in particular tend to collect dust and soap behind the
stone, particularly if you wear them all the time. To clean transparent crystalline
gemstones, simply soak them in water with a touch of gentle soap. If necessary, use a soft
toothbrush to scrub behind the stone.
Even the hardest gemstone variety can be vulnerable to breakage if it has inclusions that
weaken the crystal structure. Exercise common sense: if you have a ring set with a softer
gem variety or an included stone, take it off before strenous exercise.
Diamonds are very hard but can shatter in two with a single well-placed blow. Rubies and
sapphires are the toughest gems but even they can chip if hit sharply.
Think twice before putting gems in an ultrasonic cleaner. Diamonds and rubies and
sapphires will be fine but many other gems may not be: when in doubt, leave it out.
Diamonds, rubies and sapphires, and other single-crystal gems can be cleaned with a touch
of ammonia in water to remove all films and add extra sparkle.
Opaque gemstones like lapis lazuli, turquoise, malachite, require special care. Never use an
ultrasonic cleaner and never use ammonia or any chemical solution. These gem materials
should just be wiped clean gently with a moist cloth. These gemstones can be porous and
may absorb chemicals, even soap, and they may build up inside the stone and discolor it.
The reason why these materials need more care than transparent gemstones is that these
materials are essentially rocks, not crystals of a single mineral. Think about it: when you
put a rock in water, it absorbs the water and is moist all the way through. A single crystal
gem like sapphire will not absorb water: all the molecules are lined up so tightly in the
crystal that there is no room for water to enter.
Opals also require special care. Never use an ultrasonic, never use ammonia, and avoid
heat and strong light which can dry out the water in opals.
Organic gems like pearls, coral, and amber should only be wiped clean with a moist cloth.
Due to their organic nature, these gems are both soft and porous. Be careful about
chemicals in hairspray, cosmetics, or perfume: they can, over time, damage pearls in
particular.
Store each piece of gemstone jewelry separately so that harder stones don’t scratch softer
ones. Almost every gemstone is much harder than the metal it is set in. Gems can scratch
the finish on your gold, silver or platinum if you throw your jewelry in a heap in a drawer or
jewelry box.