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Gem Info
The Proper Care of Gemstones
Although Gems are usually very solid and hardy, many gemstones can be somewhat brittle, whilst many are soft, and some can be damaged by heat, vibration, or chemicals. Most people are not sure how to care for their fine gemstones. Below you'll find a few tips.
Stones that have a Mohs hardness of less than 71/2 are subject to scratching; harder stones are less likely to be scratched but are still subject to chipping and fracture. Quartz with a hardness of 7, is one of the most abundant minerals on earth, in the form of sand, or silica. When removing dust from soft stones, it's usually best to rinse them with clean water and dry with a soft cloth. Try and store your jewelry and loose gems in separate padded compartments or in soft lint free cloths to prevent scratching and chipping. When cleaning gemstones harder than quartz (7 Mohs), it's safe to do a little gentle scrubbing with a soft toothbrush.
Soaking maybe necessary to remove heavier deposits of dried soaps, oils and other dirt that has attached itself. On stones harder than quartz (7 Mohs), it's safe to do a little gentle scrubbing with a soft toothbrush. When cleaning jewelry, be careful not to scrub highly polished metal surfaces, with anything that is abrasive as it may produce small scratches which will dull the bright polish of the metal. If you use hand creams, remove your rings before applying them! This will help prevent a heavy buildup of dirt and oil around your gemstones. If you are working in the yard or doing heavy or dirty work with your hands, remove your rings so they will not be subjected to abrasives, unnecessary dirt or even being chipped. Even diamonds, rubies and sapphires can be chipped by a hard blow.
Pearls, coral, and porous stones such as opal, turquoise, lapis or malachite should be kept away from dirty water and oils to avoid discoloration. Do not wear rings containing these stones while doing any rough activity or washing dishes. Be cautious about the use of ultrasonic cleaners. Some stones are subject to internal stress, such as opal, emerald, tanzanite, and may shatter.
Other stones including gems such as pearl, coral, amber, turquoise, lapis, and malachite, should not be exposed to ultrasound. Tanzanite and emerald can shatter and opals craze under ultrasonic cleaning. If you are not sure it is safe best don't put your stones in an ultrasonic cleaner. Many gemstones are heat sensitive especially to extremes and sudden changes in temperature this can cause anything from a small internal crack to a shatter gemstone.
If your doing your own jewelry work always heat or cool all stones slowly. Do not leave your gems sitting in hot sunlight, or in hot cars.
When you come to think of it gems have lived a very sheltered life deep in the ground up until coming into your possession and if cared for properly will remain as beautiful as they are now, for hundreds, if not thousands, of years to come.
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