How to Clean Jewelry
and Care for What You Have

How to clean jewelry is a question I get all the time.

Each gemstone has different properties, and many require special care. Clean some gemstones the wrong way once, and the results can be permanent...and costly.

Below is a list of gemstones and a brief description of how to clean them. Click on the links to read more about how to care for your gemstones, fascinating history, and in some cases how to avoid being ripped off.

Index for Care and Cleaning of...

There are no concerns for how to clean jewelry with amethyst. Determine cleaning methods by what the amethyst is combined with: sterling, blue lace agate, etc. Some amethysts can fade in daylight. Here is a simple way to restore their color, as well as more fascinating information on this beautiful gemstone.


Blue Topaz

Topaz of any color is best cleaned with warm soapy water. Do not clean topaz jewelry in a home ultrasonic cleaner. Nearly all blue topaz on the market starts out as colorless topaz and is enhanced. The method is explained here, along with more topaz information.

Hematite

Hematite is very easy to care for. If your hematite jewelry needs a cleaning, simply use a liquid tarnish remover or a polishing cloth. For more information on this beauty, including how to identify manmade hematite, click here.

Opal

Opal jewelry, due to the high water content (13%), requires special care and cleaning. Never clean opals with an ultrasonic cleaner, metal polish, acids or any strong solvents. For information on how to clean jewelry with opals, in addition to some fascinating history, click here.

Pearls

There is no short, concise way to describe the care and cleaning of pearls. A short explanation would not do justice to pearls. Learn how to clean pearls along with important information on pearl care, how pearls are formed, what makes a high-quality pearl and why they are so expensive.

Ruby

If you have a high-grade ruby (many are imitations), soak your ruby jewelry overnight in (undiluted) grease-cutting dishwashing liquid. In the morning brush with a soft toothbrush, rinse clean, and dry. Here is why a ruby is actually a red sapphire, and why it's more valuable than diamonds.

Swarovski Crystal

Swarovski (pronounced “swore-off-ski”) crystal is best cleaned with warm, soapy water. If the jewelry also has tarnished sterling, you need to be careful. A Brilliant! Polishing cloth is the best thing to use. Here is information on:

• Caring for Swarovski crystal so its beauty lasts for years,
• Cleaning Swarovski crystal and tarnished sterling, and
• How to spot a fake.

Turquoise

You simply can't go wrong when you buy turquoise. Turquoise has been a favorite gemstone for thousands of years, and continues to be very much in style. Turquoise is a soft stone and should be cleaned periodically with a soft cloth. If you have turquoise, be sure to learn how to buy smart and care for this popular gem.

Zircon

The best way to clean zircon is to soak overnight in (undiluted) grease-cutting dishwashing liquid. In the morning brush with a soft toothbrush, rinse clean, and dry. If you're wondering whether zircon is natural or manmade, here is the answer.

If you are unsure how to clean jewelry that you have, always play it safe. Many inexpensive gemstones, like cheap ruby for example, are dyed. This dye washes off in water, so take care in cleaning.

When in doubt, Silver Puffs are the safest method. They are gentle enough to clean pearls, yet also clean sterling well.

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