Gemstone Jewellery Care

Emerald Gemstone and Jewellery Care 

Emeralds captivate with their lush, vibrant hues—but their natural beauty requires gentle care, as they are softer than diamonds and sapphires. 

Precious emeralds are sensitive to pressure and vulnerable to household chemicals. Although relatively hard, their naturally included structure makes them delicate and prone to fractures. Avoid wearing emerald jewellery while using harsh chemicals like bleach or acids. 

Cleaning Emeralds: 

 Emeralds should never be soaked in soapy water, as detergents can strip away their oil treatments, causing them to lose their lustre. Instead, gently wipe them with a soft, dry cloth after each wear. If deeper cleaning is needed, use a damp cloth with lukewarm water, avoiding excessive moisture. Avoid ultrasonic and steam cleaners, as heat and vibrations can damage the stone. 

Traditional oiling for emeralds is stable but not permanent, meaning most emeralds require occasional re-oiling to maintain their colour and brilliance. Always remove emerald jewellery before exercising, cleaning, playing sports, or engaging in vigorous activities. 

Storage: 

 Emeralds can scratch softer gems and be scratched by harder stones like diamonds and sapphires. Store them separately in a fabric-lined jewellery box or wrap them in a soft cloth to prevent damage. 

For the best care, take your emerald jewellery to a professional jeweller for periodic maintenance and re-oiling. 

Ruby & Sapphire Gemstone Jewellery Care 

Rubies and sapphires are renowned for their exceptional durability and striking beauty. While rubies captivate with their fierce, fiery reds, sapphires dazzle in a stunning variety of colours, from classic deep blue to pink, yellow, and even white. Despite their different hues, both gems come from the corundum family, making them one of the hardest gemstones—second only to diamonds. However, while they are tough, they still require proper care to maintain their brilliance. 

General Care: 

 Rubies and sapphires belong to the corundum family, making them one of the hardest gemstones—second only to diamonds. However, while they are tough, they can still be damaged by harsh chemicals, extreme temperatures, and impact. Always remove ruby and sapphire jewellery before exercising, cleaning, or engaging in high-impact activities. 

Cleaning Rubies & Sapphires: 

 For most rubies and sapphires, the safest cleaning method is to gently wash them in warm, soapy water and wipe them with a soft cloth. Use a soft-bristled brush (like a clean paintbrush) to remove dirt from the setting, paying special attention to the pavilion (underside) of the stone to maintain its brilliance. 

However, fracture-filled and diffusion-treated rubies and sapphires require extra care and should only be cleaned with a damp cloth. These treatments can be affected by acids, chemical cleaners, or excessive heat, which may alter their appearance. Never expose fracture-filled rubies or sapphires to jeweller’s torches, repolishing, or recutting, as this can damage the stone. 

Avoid: 

• Chemical cleaners and acids (even mild ones like lemon juice). 
• Ultrasonic cleaners and steamers, as they can weaken fracture-filled stones. 
• High heat, which can alter treated rubies and sapphires. 

Storage: 

 Rubies and sapphires are hard enough to scratch softer gemstones but can be scratched by diamonds. To prevent damage, store them in a fabric-lined jewellery box or wrap them in a soft cloth, ensuring they are kept separate from other jewellery pieces. 

For long-term care, take your ruby and sapphire jewellery to a professional jeweller for periodic inspections and maintenance to keep it in pristine condition. 

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