Caring for diamonds and cleaning them is rather easy - it takes a lot to damage a diamond and ultrasonic cleaners are great for removing old dirt under the diamonds. Unfortunately, this is not the case for most gemstones. Gemstones are softer than a diamond and rank lower on the Mohs scale and are more vulnerable during the cleaning process.
Here is a guide on how to best clean your gemstones and gemstone jewellery to keep it looking best.
Sapphire Jewellery Cleaning
Sapphires are a variety of corundum, ranking a 9 hardness on the Mohs scale. To clean a piece of sapphire jewellery, soak the piece in warm water and soap and brushing it gently with a soft brush before rinsing and drying it. Untreated, heat-treated, or lattice diffusion treated stones can be cleaned through the use of a steam cleaner or an ultrasonic cleaner. Fracture-filled, dyed, and cavity-filled stones should be cleaned using a damp cloth.
Ruby Jewellery Cleaning
Same as sapphires, rubies are a variety of corundum. Most ruby jewellery, whether the ruby is untreated or heat treated, can be cleaned in soapy water with a soft toothbrush. If, however, the stone has had either fractures or cavities filled, it is best to use a damp cloth to clean the stone. The same goes for any ruby that has been dyed. Ultrasonic and steam cleaners can only be used for stones that are untreated, heat-treated, or lattice diffusion treated.
Spinel Jewellery Cleaning
Spinel ranks 8 on the Mohs scale. It's always safe to clean spinel with warm soapy water and a soft toothbrush. Some spinels might have been subjected to colour altering heat treatment. The treatment is stable under normal wearing conditions. As with any transparent gemstone, spinel might be fracture filled to improve its apparent clarity, therefore best to avoid ultrasonic cleaners.
Emerald Jewellery Cleaning
Emerald is the most fascinating member of the Beryl family, ranking a 7.5-8 on the Mohs scale. The majority of emeralds are fracture-filled stones (either with oil or resin) and therefore must be treated with care. It is unsafe to use ultrasonic or steam cleaners on your emerald jewellery. The best way to safely clean your emerald jewellery is to gently wash them with soapy water and a soft toothbrush. Afterwards, rinse the emeralds in clean warm water and air dry.
Aquamarine Jewellery Cleaning
Aquamarines are also a member of the Beryl family ranking the same as the emeralds. The best way to clean aquamarine is to fill a small bowl with warm water and to add a bit of liquid dishwashing soap. Let the aquamarine sit in the solution for a few minutes before scrubbing it gently with a toothbrush so as not to loosen the prongs. Finally, run the stone under water to rinse out the soap.
Zircon Jewellery Cleaning
Natural Zircon is rated 6 - 7.5 on the Mohs scale. Warm, soapy water is recommended for cleaning zircon along with a soft toothbrush. Ultrasonic and steam cleaners are not recommended for cleaning this gem.
Topaz Jewellery Cleaning
Topaz ranks 8 on the Mohs scale. Topaz is affected only very slightly by chemicals. When cleaning topaz jewellery, it's important to avoid steam or ultrasound for cleaning. Warm, soapy water works best with a soft toothbrush.
