Rinse, sanitise, mask up, repeat. That has been the mantra for over 18 months and counting for everyone the world over. Cleaning every single surface – on our bodies or externally – has been the name of the game in these pandemic times. But in the process of keeping all that is around us clean, we should not be forgetting the accessories we wear. Just because we aren’t stepping outside, doesn’t mean that we aren’t wearing our jewels – especially the daily wear gemstones. Apart from precious gemstones needing regular cleaning to maintain their look, we have also learned that bacteria can be attached to any surface. Even top-quality gemstones lose their shine over time. So, keeping all this in mind, we have put together a few moot points you can do to not only stay safe, but also keep the dazzle of both your precious gemstones and your life sparkling for days to come.
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Pre-Use Care
When you are not using your gemstones, or until you use them for the first time, it is important to ensure that you are taking care of them appropriately.
- Chemicals are the worst thing for your gemstone jewellery. Apply your perfumes, colognes, and hairsprays before you put on gemstone jewellery. Not only will these chemicals reduce gem brilliance, but they can also be highly destructive to some gems as they could react violently to acid and alcohol.
- Isolation is a keypoint – store your gemstone jewellery separately. All gemstones are of different hardness levels; storing them separate is important so that they don’t cause damage to each other. No need to get individual boxes for each – in the interest of optimum space utilisation, getting a jewellery box with different compartments is most useful.
- Temperature, dryness, and sunlight also play a part in proper jewellery storage. Keep in mind that some gems like opals and pearls draw moisture from the air. So, avoid storing them in safe deposit boxes. It is best to store such jewellery in a jewellery box with fabric lining.
- Check your gemstone jewellery carefully, and on a regular basis. Ensuring that there are no loose gemstones on your favourite gold necklace, platinum engagement ring, or even your wedding band is probably the last thing you want.
In-Use Care
While wearing gemstone jewellery, especially in these pandemic times, there are a few things to keep in mind to ensure you minimise damage to your jewellery:
- Don’t pressurise it - When putting on rings and other jewellery with semi-precious stones, never place pressure directly on the stones themselves. Pushing rings on or pulling bracelets by their stones can loosen the fastenings which can quickly lead to lost stones.
- No heavy chores - Don’t wear your gemstones while doing chores around the house. If you absolutely have to wear them, wear gloves if you can. It avoids your precious gems coming in contact with abrasive chemicals and cleaning agents, and keeps the skin of your hands young as well.
- Avoid rubbing hand sanitiser or harsh cleaning products directly onto your ring. Put your rings aside when using hand sanitiser, wait till the sanitiser on your hand completely dry away before putting them back on. When washing your hands, remove all jewellery on your fingers and wrists.
Post-Use Care
You’ve taken care to store your jewellery safe before using, so make sure you do the same after as well. Before you do, here’s how you can clean your gemstone jewellery at home:
- The safest way to clean your rings at home is with warm water and a mild dish soap. Dip your rings with lukewarm water and use any mild soap to give it a quick wash, at least once a week. If you have more time, use a soft bristled toothbrush to really get in there - carefully. Shake or blow on the jewellery piece to remove excess liquid when done, then gently polish with a soft lint-free cloth
- Easy pickings - A shaved matchstick or toothpick is quite good at picking out accumulations, but don’t be too harsh.
- Unnecessary exposure - Sanitiser is not all bad, it can be used to clean hard gems and solid gold. However, it is definitely advisable you don’t constantly expose your jewels to sanitiser because you will need a soft cloth to go with the cleaning process – which may not be on hand each time.
- No abrasives - Never use toothpaste or other abrasives to clean metal or stones. There are countless websites that recommend toothpaste as a cleaner, but this is not a practice that is accepted by fine jewellers. It can damage the surface of the metal, requiring the skill of a professional to buff and refinish it. Toothpaste will also scuff the surface of gemstones, resulting in the fine polish being permanently marred.
Gemstones are beautiful and delicate stones that require great care to maintain long term quality. Many kinds of gemstones have been used in jewellery, and some may have special properties that can affect how you should clean and wear them. Reach out to one of our Gempro consultants to ensure you are doing all that is in your power to ensure a long life for your gemstone jewellery, as you stay healthy and safe yourself.