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Gemstone
A gemstone or gem, also called a precious or semi-precious stone, is a piece of attractive mineral, rock (such as lapis-lazuli) or organic material (such as amber or jet). Most gemstones are hard, but some are soft.
Diamonds and other hard stones such as sapphires, rubies, topazes and garnets are very tough gemstones and highly resistant to damage. However, you should take care to avoid rubbing two hard stones together as they can scratch each other.
Opaque gemstones (lapis-lazuli, malachite and turquoise) and porous gemstones (opal, pearl, coral and amber) may absorb chemicals, even soap, and they may build up inside the stone and discolor it. Hence a mild detergent should be used. Prolonged exposure to sunlight can damage or discolor some gemstones.
Because lotions, powders or even your natural skin oils can leave a film on the gemstones over time and make their surfaces dull, periodic cleaning will restore their luster. Wipe your precious stone jewelry with a clean, soft damp cloth after wearing. This little habit will ensure that your jewelry is always looking its best.
Avoid salt water and harsh chemicals such as chlorine bleach or detergents which can cause damage. Hairspray, perfume and perspiration can also cause dullness if not regularly cleaned off.
Due to the value of the gemstones, it is advisable to clean them regularly. Because gemstones differ so much, so do their cleaning procedures. There are commercial jewelry cleaners and ultrasonic ones that clean with a high frequency turbulence.
When your gemstone jewelry is not being worn, storage in a soft pouch or put in a jewelry box with dividers to separate it from other jewelry to avoid scratches.
Don't store pearls in plastic bags, always store in the box or silk pouch. The best place to store your pearls is in a compartmentalized jewelry box as the harder stones can wear away the nacre coating of the pearl.
Some people find that their pearls change color. Generally speaking, this is because they have been worn when in the bath or working in the kitchen or laundry. Most cleaning agents contain bleach, so it's not surprising that pearls can lose color under these circumstances. While pearls can be washed in a solution of mild soap and water, particular care has to be taken because of the silk thread. Re-string every 2 years is recommended.
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Tips for caring your gemstone jewelry
· Not to rub two stones against each other · Lotions, powders and soaps can cut down the brilliance · Periodic cleaning will restore the gem’s luster · Always wipe jewelry clean with a soft, damp cloth after wearing · Keep in a soft pouch after wear · Some common gemstones can be damaged by prolonged exposure to sunlight |
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Products you may need:
For non-porous gem Jewelry Care Cloth Gem & Jewelry Cleaner Gem & Jewelry Cleaner Refill
For porous gem Jewelry Care Cloth Delicate Gem & Pearl Cleaner
For all gems Gloss Wand (for travel) Cleaning Foamz Jewelry Care Cloth Jewelry Cleaning Machine Flannel Pouch Jewelry cases |
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WARNING:
It is very important to choose a reliable and professional cleaning solution to obtain desirable result. Choose the right solution for your metal and read the instructions carefully. Using the wrong solution or not following instructions may cause irreversible damage to your jewelry. Choose only NON-TOXIC product which does not use ammonia or acidified Thiourea.
Ammonia is a colorless gas which gives a sharp odour. It enters the body when breathed in. It is intensely irritating to the eyes, nose and respiratory tract. It is corrosive to skin and toxic effects include lachrymation, respiratory distress, chest pain and pulmonary edema.
Thiourea, as contained in silver dip of some brands, is a sulfuric acid solution causes silver sulfide (silver tarnish) to revert to silver metal by an electrolytic action. The silver left behind is even more susceptible to tarnish forming. It is listed as a cancer causing substance by the Centers for Disease Control, USA. In California, it is under strict regulation that all products which contain Thiourea must state in their product labels that Thiourea is known to cause cancer.
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