From colored engagement rings to vibrant precious and semi-precious stone designs, gemstones are on trend and may be making their way into your jewelry box (if they haven’t already). Thus, knowing the appropriate manner to care for your gemstones is essential. Previously, we discussed how to properly clean and look after your silver and metal jewelry. In this post we will take a more detailed look at how to handle gemstones.

As far as cleaning goes, pearls and porous stones such as turquoise, opal, and malachite should be kept away from dirty liquids or oils to prevent discoloration that may occur due to their absorbent nature. Wipe these gently with a soft, damp cloth or use a jewelry polishing cloth. Be aware that these stones are also fairly susceptible to heat and therefore should be kept in a cool temperature.

Ultrasonic cleaners should be used with caution. Generally, they can be used to clean garnet, quartz, diamond, ruby, sapphire and gold jewelry. However, these cleaners may damage stones that are prone to internal stress like emerald, amber, pearls, coral, peridot, tanzanite, aquamarine, and turquoise.

In our professional opinion, it is always best to clean your gemstones by hand to avoid any unnecessary risk of damaging your jewelry. Soak your jewelry in a bowl of warm water with mild soap or dish detergent. Avoid cleaning your jewelry with harsh chemicals or abrasive brushes, such as a toothbrush. In addition, do not attempt to clean damaged or broken jewelry as this can cause pieces to go missing or exacerbate the damage. When in doubt, take your jewelry in need of repair or cleaning to your local jeweler.

Many gemstones are quite durable and scratch-resistant. However, they can loosen or crack when in contact with hard surfaces, so avoid wearing gemstone jewelry in potentially harmful situations such as cleaning, exercising, gardening, etc. As with any item in your jewelry collection, it is best to store each piece separately to avoid knocking.

Follow these tips and give your gemstones the occasional TLC they need to sparkle for a lifetime.