Gems are among the most enduring of nature's creations. With a little care, your fine jewelry 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 jewelry 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 ruby, sapphire, diamond, amethyst, citrine, garnets, and unadorned gold and platinum jewelry but shouldn't be used to clean emerald, peridot, pearls or silver jewelry. When in doubt, don't use it.
To protect the beauty of your jewelry, don't keep it in a tangle in a jewelry 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 jewelry pieces don't rub against each other in your bag.
Be careful when removing your jewelry to wash your hands. Don't leave your jewelry 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 with 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 jewelry away from chlorine and other household chemicals. You won't have to clean jewelry as often if you put it on after applying hairspray, perfume, and cosmetics. Always make sure it is dry and clean by wiping with a cloth before putting it away.
