Colored Gemstones

How to Clean Gemstones Jewelry Effectively

How to Clean Gemstones

Gemstones are among the most durable of nature’s creations. With a little care, they will be as beautiful for generations to come as they are today. Read on to learn how to clean gemstones in general, and special instructions on how to clean more than 35 different popular gemstones.

The best way to clean your gemstone jewelry is in a bowl of water with a few drops of ordinary dish detergent. Using an old toothbrush or other soft brush, scrub gently behind the stone where dust and soap can collect. Then just rinse and pat dry with a soft cloth.

A home ultrasonic cleaner should be used with extreme caution. It can be used to clean Ruby, Sapphire, Diamond, Amethyst, Citrine, Garnet, Chrysoberyl, and unadorned gold jewelry, but it may damage gems like Coral, Emerald, Lapis Lazuli, Pearls, Peridot, Tanzanite, Tourmaline, Turquoise, and any gem that has many inclusions. When in doubt, don’t use it.

 

How to Clean Gemstones Jewelry at Home

How to Clean Gemstones - Care Tips

 

Alexandrite

Alexandrite is rated “excellent” for everyday wear.

To clean, gently scrub with a soft toothbrush and a solution of mild dish soap and warm water.

Amethyst

Amethyst is rated “good” for everyday wear. Avoid direct sunlight and exposure to heat which may cause color to fade. Avoid contact with chemicals.

To clean Amethyst, gently scrub with a soft toothbrush and a solution of mild dish soap and warm water, or clean in an at-home ultrasonic cleaner.

Ametrine

Ametrine is rated “good” for everyday wear. Avoid direct sunlight and exposure to heat which may cause color to fade. Avoid contact with chemicals.

To clean, gently scrub with a soft toothbrush and a solution of mild dish soap and warm water, or clean in an at-home ultrasonic cleaner.

Aquamarine

Aquamarine is rated “good” for everyday wear. Avoid exposure to heat, contact with chemicals, and protect from scratches and harsh blows.

To clean, gently scrub with a soft toothbrush and a solution of mild dish soap and warm water.

Bloodstone

Bloodstone is rated “fair” for everyday wear. Avoid exposure to heat, contact with chemicals, and protect from scratches and harsh blows.

To clean, gently scrub with a soft toothbrush and a solution of mild dish soap and warm water, or clean in an ultrasonic jewelry cleaner unit.

Cameo

Cameos are quite fragile and are not for everyday wear and special care should be taken wearing. Avoid exposure to heat, contact with chemicals, and protect from scratches and harsh blows.

To clean, wipe gently with a moist cloth.

Carnelian

Carnelian is rated “fair” for everyday wear. Avoid exposure to heat, contact with chemicals, and protect from scratches and harsh blows.

To clean, gently scrub with a soft toothbrush and a solution of mild dish soap and warm water, or clean in an ultrasonic cleaner unit.

Chalcedony

Blue and lavender Chalcedony is rated “fair” for everyday wear. Avoid exposure to heat, contact with chemicals, and protect from scratches and harsh blows.

To clean, gently scrub with a soft toothbrush and a solution of mild dish soap and warm water, or clean in an at-home ultrasonic cleaner unit.

Chrysoprase

Chrysoprase is rated “fair” for everyday wear. Avoid exposure to heat, contact with chemicals, and protect from scratches and harsh blows.

To clean, gently scrub with a soft toothbrush and a solution of mild dish soap and warm water, or clean in an at-home ultrasonic unit.

Citrine

Citrine is rated “good” for everyday wear. Avoid direct sunlight and exposure to heat which may cause color to fade. Avoid contact with chemicals.

To clean, gently scrub with a soft toothbrush and a solution of mild dish soap and warm water, or clean in an at-home ultrasonic unit.

Coral

Coral is not for everyday wear, and one should take care when wearing. Avoid exposure to heat, contact with chemicals, and protect from scratches and harsh blows.

To clean, wipe gently with a moist cloth.

Emerald

Emerald is rated “fair to good” for everyday wear with care. Avoid exposure to heat, contact with chemicals, and protect from scratches and harsh blows.

To clean, gently scrub with a soft toothbrush and a solution of mild dish soap and warm water.

Garnet

Garnet is rated “good” for everyday wear. Avoid exposure to heat and sudden changes in temperature.

To clean Garnet, gently scrub with a soft toothbrush and a solution of mild dish soap and warm water, or clean in an at-home ultrasonic cleaning unit.

Iolite

Iolite is rated “fair” for everyday wear with care. Avoid exposure to heat, contact with chemicals, and protect from scratches and harsh blows.

To clean, gently scrub with a soft toothbrush and a solution of mild dish soap and warm water.

Jade

Nephrite Jade is rated “fair” for everyday wear with care. Avoid exposure to heat, contact with chemicals, and protect from scratches and harsh blows.

To clean, gently scrub with a soft toothbrush and a solution of mild dish soap and warm water, or clean in an ultrasonic cleaning machine..

Lapis

Lapis is rated “fair” for everyday wear with care. Avoid exposure to heat, contact with chemicals, and protect from scratches and harsh blows.

To clean, gently scrub with a soft toothbrush and a solution of mild dish soap and warm water.

Marcasite

Marcasite is rated “fair” for everyday wear with care. Avoid exposure to heat and protect from scratches and harsh blows. Typically, the surface will oxidize over time.

To clean, gently scrub with a soft toothbrush and a solution of mild dish soap and warm water.

Moonstone

Moonstone is rated “good” for everyday wear. Avoid exposure to heat, contact with chemicals, and protect from scratches and harsh blows.

To clean, gently scrub with a soft toothbrush and a solution of mild dish soap and warm water.

Onyx

Onyx is rated “fair” for everyday wear. Avoid exposure to heat, contact with chemicals, and protect from scratches and harsh blows.

To clean, gently scrub with a soft toothbrush and a solution of mild dish soap and warm water, or clean in an ultrasonic cleaner unit.

Opal

Take care when wearing Opal. Avoid exposure to heat, contact with chemicals, and protect from scratches and harsh blows.

To clean, gently scrub with a soft toothbrush and a solution of mild dish soap and warm water.

Opal, Ethiopian

Most Ethiopian opals tend to readily absorb any liquids with which they come into contact. Should your opal accidentally be immersed in water for an extended period of time, remove it and place it in a safe and dry location.

Like most gems, opal should be handled and cleaned with care. Never use a steamer or ultrasonic, keep away from harsh cleaning agents, avoid high temperatures or sudden temperature changes. Only wiping with a clean and dry soft cloth is recommended.

Opal, Fire

Take care when wearing Mexican Fire Opal. Avoid exposure to heat, contact with chemicals, and protect from scratches and harsh blows.

To clean, gently scrub with a soft toothbrush and a solution of mild dish soap and warm water.

Pearl

Pearls are not for everyday wear, and one should take care when wearing. Avoid exposure to heat and protect from scratches and harsh blows. Avoid contact with chemicals, especially perfumes, perspiration and hair sprays.

To clean, wipe gently with a moist cloth.

Peridot

Peridot is rated “fair” for everyday wear with care. Avoid exposure to heat and sudden changes in temperature. Avoid contact with chemicals.

To clean, gently scrub with a soft toothbrush and a solution of mild dish soap and warm water.

Quartz, Smoky

Smoky Quartz is rated “good” for everyday wear. Avoid direct sunlight and exposure to heat which may cause color to fade. Avoid contact with chemicals.

To clean, gently scrub with a soft toothbrush and a solution of mild dish soap and warm water, or clean in an at-home ultrasonic jewelry cleaning machine.

Ruby

Rubies are rated “excellent” for everyday wear. Avoid exposure to heat and contact with chemicals.

To clean, gently scrub with a soft toothbrush and a solution of mild dish soap and warm water, or clean in an at-home ultrasonic cleaner unit.

Sapphire

Sapphires are rated “excellent” for everyday wear. Avoid exposure to heat and contact with chemicals.

To clean, gently scrub with a soft toothbrush and a solution of mild dish soap and warm water, or clean in an at-home ultrasonic unit.

Tanzanite

Tanzanite is not for everyday wear, and one should take care when wearing. Avoid exposure to heat and sudden changes in temperature. Avoid contact with chemicals.

To clean, gently scrub with a soft toothbrush and a solution of mild dish soap and warm water.

Tiger’s Eye

Tiger’s Eye is rated “good” for everyday wear. Avoid exposure to heat and sudden changes in temperature. Avoid contact with chemicals.

To clean, gently scrub with a soft toothbrush and a solution of mild dish soap and warm water, or clean in an ultrasonic cleaning unit..

Topaz, Precious

Precious Topaz is rated “good” for everyday wear. Avoid direct sunlight and exposure to heat which may cause color to fade. Avoid contact with chemicals.

To clean, gently scrub with a soft toothbrush and a solution of mild dish soap and warm water.

Topaz

Blue and White Topaz is rated “fair to good” for everyday wear with care. Avoid direct sunlight and exposure to heat which may cause color to fade. Avoid contact with chemicals.

To clean, gently scrub with a soft toothbrush and a solution of mild dish soap and warm water.

Topaz, Diffused

Diffused Topaz is rated “good” for everyday wear. Avoid contact with chemicals. Re-cutting is not recommended.

To clean, gently scrub with a soft toothbrush and a solution of mild dish soap and warm water, or clean in an at-home ultrasonic cleaner.

Tourmaline

Tourmaline is rated “fair to good” for everyday wear with care. Avoid exposure to heat and protect from scratches and harsh blows.

To clean, gently scrub with a soft toothbrush and a solution of mild dish soap and warm water.

Turquoise

Turquoise is rated “fair” for everyday wear with care. Avoid exposure to heat, contact with chemicals, and protect from scratches and harsh blows.

To clean, gently scrub with a soft toothbrush and a solution of mild dish soap and warm water.

Zircon

Blue Zircon is rated “fair” for everyday wear with care. Avoid direct sunlight and exposure to heat which may cause color to fade.

To clean, gently scrub with a soft toothbrush and a solution of mild dish soap and warm water.

Gemstone Care Tips

  • Remove your jewelry before vigorous activities.
  • Every day household items can ruin your gemstone jewelry.
  • Make sure you don’t expose your gems to the chemicals in cleaning products, hair care products, fragrances and cosmetics.
  • When getting dressed, put your jewelry on last.
  • At the end of the day, take your jewelry off first.
  • Store your jewelry in a cloth-lined box or pouch and keep them away from other jewelry, which might scratch them.

 

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Last Updated on March 19, 2023 by JewelryNStyle

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