So you’ve finally bought that special gemstone piece you’ve been eyeing online, and now you’re wondering how to properly care for it. Below are frequently asked questions in jewelry care.
Can I take my jewelry into the pool, hot tub or in the ocean?
What type of cleaner is safe?
How can I keep the sterling silver from tarnishing?
Will my skin turn green with sterling silver?
What about the gemstones, do they need special care?
These are some of the most asked questions I get with care of gemstone jewelry.
So let’s explore these questions below.
Can I take my jewelry into the pool, hot tub or ocean?
I am always going to error on the side of caution and say no. The harsh pool or hot tub chemicals and or salt water can really damage not only the gemstones but the sterling silver. If by chance you do jump enthusiastically into the pool/ ocean don’t despair just yet. Take off the jewelry and give it a good soap up and rinse with tap water, dry it off and set out of the direct sun.
What type of cleaner is safe?
I am also going to error on the safe side here to and say no to jewelry cleaner, especially with natural stones like turquoise, scolecite, pearls, opals and any other soft stones. The best way to keep your jewelry clean is with a good polishing cloth. If you NEED to clean it, take a damp cloth (water only) and gently wipe the stone and metal down and dry asap.
How can I keep the sterling silver from tarnishing?
The reason sterling silver tarnishes is because the air has trace amounts of hydrogen sulfide gas in it. Wearing your jewelry is the best way to keep it from tarnishing. Also having a good jewelry polish rag is the best and safest way to keep your jewelry clean. If you are storing it, the best way is to have it in an airtight baggie or a special anti-tarnish bag made for jewelry.
Will my skin turn green with sterling silver?
There are a small amount of people that will have their skin turn green with sterling silver. The reason the skin turns green from sterling is due to especially moist skin. The copper alloy in silver reacts to the moisture and hence stains the skin green. If this is the case be sure to polish your jewelry more frequently.
What about the gemstones, do they need special care?
This is a question that has many chapters to it. It really depends on the type of stone, the hardness and many other factors. Here at Twisted Earth Artistry we recommend caring for all your stones all the same. Keep them out of harsh chemicals and salt water. Only clean with a jewelry rag, if absolutely needed you can gently clean the stones with a damp cloth (water) and dry immediately. Gentle soap only if it came into contact with a chemical or salt water and repeat the same as above.
Now there are some stones ( not a full list) like apatite, aventurine, azurite, chrysocolla, lapis lazuli, malachite, sodalite and turquoise that should never be soaked or left in water to long. The water can damage the stones, dull the luster and even may make the stones crack. Be sure to dry them off immediately.
There are also some stones ( not a full list) that are sensitive to the sun such as amethyst, ametrine, apatite, aventurine, azurite, charoite, chrysocolla, chrysoprase, corals, fluorite, kunzite, lapis lazuli, moonstone, mother of pearl, opals, pearls, scolecite, sodalite and sugilite.