Dazzling Diamonds to Radiant Rubies: Your Guide to Gemstone Care

How to Clean Sensitive Gemstones

     Caring for your gemstone jewelry properly ensures that each piece remains as stunning as the day you got it. Some gemstones require special care to avoid damage and maintain their optimal shine. Here, we'll break down the best ways to clean gemstones according to their individual properties, ensuring they stay in perfect shape without wearing them down.

Cleaning Soft and Sensitive Gemstones

Opals

Opals are relatively soft gemstones with a Mohs hardness rating of 5.5 to 6.5. Due to the amount of water in their structure they are sensitive to temperature changes and should be handled with extra care. 

• Gentle Wipe Down: Use a soft, damp cloth after each wear.
• Avoid Soaking: Do not soak opals in water or any cleaning solution. Their porous nature makes them prone to absorbing liquids, which can lead to discoloration or damage.
• Storage Tips: Store opals away from direct sunlight and in a padded jewelry box to prevent scratches and exposure to harsh conditions.

Pearls

Pearls have a Mohs hardness rating of 2.5 to 4.5, making them very soft and susceptible to scratching and damage. 

• Soft Cloth Cleaning: Wipe pearls gently with a soft, damp cloth after each use to remove oils and dirt.
• Mild Soap Solution: If deeper cleaning is needed, use a solution of mild dish soap and lukewarm water. Dip a soft cloth into the solution and gently wipe the pearls. Rinse with a clean, damp cloth and dry immediately.
• Avoid Chemicals: Pearls are particularly sensitive to chemicals found in perfumes, hairsprays, and cleaning products. Always put on your pearls last when dressing and remove them first when undressing.

Turquoise

Turquoise is a relatively soft gemstone with a Mohs hardness rating of 5 to 6. Made of a porous structure, it can easily absorb liquids and oils, leading to discoloration and damage over time. 

• Dry Cloth Wipe: Clean turquoise with a dry, soft cloth to remove any surface dirt. Avoid using water or cleaning solutions.
• Polishing Cloth: For a bit more shine, use a jewelry polishing cloth designed for delicate stones.
• Avoid Exposure: Keep turquoise away from oils, perfumes, and direct sunlight to prevent discoloration and damage.

Moonstone

Moonstone is a softer gemstone with a Mohs hardness rating of 6 to 6.5. It is known for its unique glow.

• Soft Cloth Cleaning: Wipe moonstone with a soft, damp cloth after each use to remove any oils or dirt.
• Mild Soap Solution: If deeper cleaning is needed, use a solution of mild dish soap and lukewarm water. Dip a soft cloth into the solution and gently wipe the moonstone.
• Avoid Soaking: Do not soak moonstone in water.
• Proper Storage: Store moonstone jewelry in a soft pouch or lined jewelry box to prevent scratches.

Labradorite

Labradorite is a unique gemstone known for its iridescent shine of colors. It has a Mohs hardness of 6 to 6.5 and requires gentle handling.

• Soft Cloth Cleaning: Wipe with a soft, damp cloth after wearing to remove any dirt or oils.
• Mild Soap Solution: For deeper cleaning, use a mild dish soap solution and warm water. Dip a soft cloth into the solution and gently clean the stone.
• Avoid Abrasives: Avoid using abrasive materials or harsh chemicals.
• Proper Storage: Store labradorite jewelry in a soft pouch or lined jewelry box to protect it from scratches and impacts.

Cleaning Moderately Hard Gemstones

Aquamarine

Aquamarine, with a Mohs hardness of 7.5 to 8, is relatively durable.

• Warm Soapy Water: Clean aquamarine with warm, soapy water. Soak for a few minutes to loosen dirt.
• Soft Brush: Gently scrub with a soft toothbrush.
• Rinse and Dry: Rinse thoroughly and dry with a soft cloth.
• Avoid Harsh Chemicals: Do not use harsh chemicals or steam cleaners on aquamarine, as they can damage the stone.

Amethyst

Amethyst is a relatively hard gemstone with a Mohs hardness rating of 7, making it quite durable. However, it can be sensitive to prolonged exposure to heat and sunlight. 

• Mild Soap Solution: Clean using a mild dish soap solution and warm water. Soak the jewelry briefly, then use a soft toothbrush to gently scrub the stone.
• Rinse and Dry: Rinse thoroughly under warm water and pat dry with a soft cloth.
• Avoid Prolonged Sunlight: Amethyst can fade if exposed to direct sunlight for too long so store it in a dark, cool place.

Garnet

Garnet is a durable gemstone with a Mohs hardness rating of 6.5 to 7.5. It is relatively hard but can still be damaged by harsh chemicals and extreme heat.

• Warm Soapy Water: Soak in warm, soapy water for a few minutes. Use a soft brush to remove dirt. 
• Rinse and Dry: Rinse under warm water and dry with a soft cloth.
• Avoid Harsh Chemicals: Garnets can be damaged by harsh chemicals, so always opt for mild cleaning solutions.

Peridot

Peridot has a Mohs hardness rating of 6.5 to 7, making it relatively durable but still prone to scratches and damage from harsh chemicals.

• Warm Soapy Water: Like garnets, peridot should be cleaned with warm, soapy water. Soak for a few minutes, then gently brush with a soft toothbrush.
• Rinse and Dry: Rinse thoroughly and dry with a soft cloth.
• Avoid Extreme Temperatures: Peridot is sensitive to temperature changes, so avoid exposing it to extreme heat or cold.

Citrine

Citrine is a relatively hard gemstone with a Mohs hardness rating of 7, making it quite durable. However, it can be prone to scratches and should be cleaned with care.

• Mild Soap and Water: Clean citrine using a solution of mild dish soap and warm water. Soak the jewelry for a few minutes.
• Soft Brush: Use a soft toothbrush to gently scrub away any dirt.
• Rinse and Dry: Rinse thoroughly under warm water and dry with a soft cloth.
• Avoid Prolonged Sunlight: Citrine can fade when exposed to prolonged direct sunlight, so store it in a dark place when not in use.

Tourmaline

Tourmaline is a versatile gemstone with a hardness of 7 to 7.5 on the Mohs scale. It's available in a wide range of colors and is fairly durable but can still be damaged by harsh chemicals and extreme heat.

• Warm Soapy Water: Clean tourmaline with warm, soapy water. Soak for a few minutes to loosen dirt.
• Soft Brush: Gently scrub the stone with a soft toothbrush.
• Rinse and Dry: Rinse well under warm water and dry with a soft cloth.

Tanzanite

Tanzanite is a beautiful blue-violet gemstone with a hardness of 6 to 7 on the Mohs scale. 

• Warm Soapy Water: Use a mild dish soap solution and warm water to clean tanzanite. Soak briefly.
• Soft Cloth or Brush: Clean gently with a soft cloth or brush.
• Rinse and Dry: Rinse thoroughly and dry with a lint-free cloth.
• Avoid Abrasives: Never use abrasive cleaners or rough brushes, as they can scratch the stone.

Cleaning Hard Gemstones

Topaz

Topaz has a hardness of 8 on the Mohs scale, making it quite hard and durable. However, it can still be prone to chipping and cracking if handled roughly.

• Mild Soap Solution: Clean topaz with a mixture of mild dish soap and warm water. Soak for a few minutes.
• Soft Brush: Use a soft toothbrush to gently scrub the stone.
• Rinse and Dry: Rinse under warm water and dry with a soft cloth.
• Avoid Extreme Temperatures: Topaz can be sensitive to temperature changes, so avoid exposing it to extreme heat or cold.

Sapphires and Rubies

Both sapphires and rubies are very hard gemstones with a Mohs hardness rating of 9. They are highly durable and resistant to scratching but can still be damaged by harsh chemicals and extreme temperatures.

• Mild Soap and Water: Use a solution of mild dish soap and warm water to clean sapphires and rubies. Soak for a few minutes, then scrub gently with a soft toothbrush.
• Rinse and Dry: Rinse thoroughly under warm water and dry with a soft cloth.
• Durable But Cautious: While these gemstones are durable, avoid exposing them to harsh chemicals and extreme temperatures.

Emeralds

Emeralds have a Mohs hardness rating of 7.5 to 8. They are often treated with oils to enhance their appearance. 

• Warm Soapy Water: Emeralds are softer than other precious stones and require gentle cleaning. Use warm, soapy water and a soft cloth or brush.
• Avoid Soaking: Do not soak emeralds for extended periods, as they are often treated with oils that can be stripped away by prolonged soaking.
• Rinse and Dry: Rinse quickly and dry with a soft cloth.

Diamonds

Diamonds are the hardest gemstones with a Mohs hardness rating of 10. They are highly durable and resistant to scratching, but they can still accumulate dirt and oils that can dull their appearance.

• Ammonia Solution: Clean diamonds with a solution of one part ammonia to six parts water. Soak for 20 minutes, then gently scrub with a soft toothbrush.
• Rinse and Dry: Rinse thoroughly and dry with a lint-free cloth.
• Regular Cleaning: Diamonds benefit from regular cleaning to maintain their brilliance.

Conclusion

     Taking care of your gemstone jewelry means understanding the unique properties of each stone. By following these specific cleaning and care tips, you can keep your precious gems looking beautiful and sparkling for years to come. At Sarah Elise we're here to help you preserve the elegance of your jewelry collection. Explore our selection of gemstone jewelry and find pieces designed to last a lifetime.