How should I care for my gemstones?

Gemstones are remarkably durable. However, they do require a certain amount of care to ensure that they last for generations to come. We hope the following provides useful advice:-

Transparent gemstones – to clean, soak in water containing a small amount of soap. If necessary, scrub with a very soft toothbrush;

Diamonds, rubies and sapphires – to clean, use an ultrasonic cleaner or use a small amount of ammonia in water to cleanse and add sparkle; (Please note, guard against using an ultrasonic cleaner with other gemstones as this might damage them)

Organic gemstones (such as pearls, coral and amber) – to clean, wipe with a moist cloth. Ensure these gemstones are protected from potentially damaging chemicals in hairspray, cosmetics and perfume;

Opaque gemstones (such as lapis lazuli, malachite and turquoise) – to clean, wipe with a moist cloth;

Opals – never use an ultrasonic cleaner or ammonia and keep them away from strong heat or light;

Storage – store gemstones away from other jewellery so they do not scratch other items or become scratched. Bear in mind that even diamonds can be shattered by one single blow, especially if they have inclusions which weaken the crystal structure.

Please do not rely solely on the suggestions above to clean your gemstones and/or jewellery - always consult a specialist in gemstone and jewellery cleaning if you are unsure how to clean your items.

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