Gems are among the most enduring of nature's creations. With a little care, your fine jewellery will keep its good looks forever.
To keep your gems sparkling, clean them when dust and fingerprints dim their brilliance. The best way to clean fine jewellery is in a bowl of warm 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 can be used to clean rubies, sapphires, diamonds, amethyst, citrine, garnets, and unadorned gold and platinum jewellery, but it shouldn't be used to clean emeralds, peridots, pearls, or silver jewellery. When in doubt, don't use it.
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To protect the beauty of your jewellery, don't keep it in a tangle in a jewellery box. Remember, gems can scratch metal or each other. Store each piece separately, or wrap each one in tissue paper or a soft cloth. When you travel, make sure your jewellery pieces don't rub against each other in your bag.
Be careful when removing your jewellery to wash your hands. Don't leave your jewellery on the rim of a sink where it can slip down the drain! Remove gemstone rings and bracelets before vigorous exercise or working with your hands. Some gem varieties might be damaged by a sharp blow. When taking off your rings, don't pull them off by the gemstone; this won't damage the gem, but it can, over time, stretch the metal that holds it in place, making the setting less secure.
Keep jewellery away from chlorine and other household chemicals. You won't have to clean jewellery as often if you put it on after applying hairspray, perfume, and cosmetics. Always make sure it is dry and clean by wiping it with a cloth before putting it away.
