General Gemstone Care Tips

## The Enemies of Gemstones Gemstones are durable compared to most materials, but they are not indestructible. Four main factors cause damage to gemstones in everyday wear and storage: mechanical impact, abrasion, chemical exposure, and thermal shock. Understanding each helps you develop habits that extend the life of your stones. ## Mechanical Impact Even diamond — the hardest natural material — can be damaged by impact. Diamond's perfect octahedral cleavage means a targeted blow can split it along a crystal plane. Emerald is notorious for internal fracturing from even moderate impact, because its internal "jardin" (network of inclusions and fractures) creates structural weaknesses. Opal, tanzanite, and other relatively soft or brittle stones are particularly vulnerable. Practical habits: - Remove rings before gardening, sports, construction work, or any activity involving repeated impact. - When putting down a ring, lay it face-up on a soft surface. Setting a gemstone face-down on a hard surface risks scratching or chipping. - Be aware of counter edges, car doors, and gym equipment — all sites of common ring damage. ## Abrasion Surfaces and materials harder than a gemstone will scratch it. Household dust contains quartz (Mohs 7), which will abrade any stone softer than 7 — including moonstone (6–6.5), opal (5.5–6.5), and pearl (2.5–4.5). Even stones harder than quartz will scratch softer stones if stored in contact with them. Practical habits: - Store each piece of jewelry separately — in individual pouches, compartmentalized trays, or the original boxes. - Never store loose gemstones in a single bag or box where they can rub against each other. - Remove rings before applying lotion, sunscreen, or makeup. The abrasive particles in some cosmetics can dull polished surfaces over time. ## Chemical Exposure Many gemstones are chemically sensitive: - **Pearl, coral, and amber**: Organic gems that contain calcium carbonate or resins. Acids dissolve them. Even mild acids — lemon juice, vinegar, perspiration — will etch pearl surfaces over time. Perfume and hairspray degrade pearl nacre. - **Emerald**: Commonly treated with oil or resin that fills fractures. Ultrasonic cleaners, heat, and solvents can remove this filler, changing the stone's appearance. - **Opal**: Contains water (typically 3–10% by weight). Prolonged exposure to chemicals, extended submersion, or strong solvents can cause surface damage or affect the water content. - **Turquoise**: Porous, and absorbs oils, cosmetics, and chemicals that permanently alter its color. - **Malachite**: Dissolves in acids, including mild household acids. - **Alexandrite and glass-filled rubies**: The glass filling in fracture-filled rubies is soluble in certain acids, including those in perspiration, and ultrasonic cleaning can damage it. Practical habits: - Put jewelry on after applying perfume, hairspray, and makeup — never before. - Remove rings before washing dishes, swimming (pool chlorine and salt water can both damage soft gems and corrode metal settings), or using cleaning products. - Apply hand lotion before putting on rings if you use lotion regularly. ## Thermal Shock Rapid temperature changes can crack stones with existing fractures (emerald) or cause surface crazing in hydrated stones (opal). Steam cleaning is inappropriate for many stones. - Never use steam cleaning on opal, emerald, tanzanite, pearl, or any stone with known inclusions and fractures. - Avoid extreme temperature changes — going from a heated indoor environment to frigid outdoor temperatures repeatedly stresses stones. ## The "Last On, First Off" Rule A simple habit that protects gemstones: jewelry goes on last when getting dressed and comes off first when getting home. This single practice eliminates most chemical and impact exposure from routine activities. ## Professional Maintenance Have fine jewelry inspected by a jeweler annually. Prongs that hold stones in place wear over time — a loose prong that is caught early and retipped costs far less than finding your gemstone missing from its setting. The jeweler can also clean the piece professionally and check for cracks or chips that should be addressed.