Jewelry and Gemstone Care & Cleaning Tips

Diamond earrings, emerald rings, ruby bracelets, sapphire pendants; no doubt about it everybody loves beautiful gem stone jewelry. Gemstones are quite literally hard as rock, buy they can be damaged from careless handling and negligence. Here are some tips for keeping your gems and jewelry looking fabulous for years to come.

1. Remember, even the hardest gemstone variety can be vulnerable to breakage if it has inclusions that weaken the crystal structure. Exercise common sense: if you have a ring set with a softer gem variety or an included stone, take it off before strenuous exercise. Even the hardest gem of them all, diamond, can shatter in two with a single well-placed blow. Never remove rings by pulling on the stone: that habit may result in a loose, then lost, gem.

2. Most importantly, store each piece of gemstone jewelry separately so that harder stones don't scratch softer ones. Almost every gemstone is much harder than the metal it is set in. Gems can scratch the finish on your gold, silver or platinum if you throw your jewelry in a heap in a drawer or jewelry box.

3. Rings in particular tend to collect dust and soap behind the gem, particularly if you wear them all the time. You need to clean them regularly to let the light in so your gems can shine. To clean transparent crystalline gemstones, simply soak them in water with a touch of gentle dish soap. Use a bowl of water rather than the sink to eliminate the risk of anything going down the drain. If necessary, use a soft toothbrush to scrub behind the stone. Rinse the soap off and pat dry with a lint-free cloth (you want to make sure threads won't catch on the prongs) For diamond, ruby or sapphire, a touch of ammonia in the rinse water won't hurt a bit and can add extra sparkle (for platinum and gold only, not silver!). Think twice before putting gems in an ultrasonic cleaner. Diamonds and rubies and sapphires will be fine but many other gems many not be, in particular emerald, opal, pearls, peridot: when in doubt, leave it out.

4. Organic gems like pearls, coral, and amber should only be wiped clean with moist cloth. Due to their organic nature, these gems are both soft and porous. Be careful about chemicals in hairspray, cosmetics, or perfume: they can, over time, damage pearls in particular. Opals also require special care. Never use an ultrasonic, never use ammonia, and avoid heat and strong light.

5. Opaque gemstones like lapis lazuli, turquoise, malachite, require special care because they are rocks, not crystals of a single mineral like transparent gems. There gem materials should just be wiped clean gently with a moist cloth. These gemstones can be porous and may absorb chemicals, even soap, and they may build up inside the stone and discolor it. Never use and ultrasonic cleaner and never use ammonia or any chemical solution.

A little care and common sense can add life, luster and longevity to your precious jewelry and gems. Protect your investment by following the above guidelines.

For more information on jewelry and gemstones, we cordially invite you to visit http://www.morninglightjewelry.com to pick up your FREE copy of "How To Buy Jewelry And Gemstones Without Being Ripped Off." This concise, informative special report reveals almost everything you ever wanted to know about jewelry and gemstones, but were afraid to ask. Get your FREE report at http://www.morninglightjewelry.com

---

The Mindful Shopper: Learning From Your Trendy Mistakes

Are you a fashion trend-watcher?Do you spend a lot of time flipping through magazines and analyzing the wardrobe choices of others? Do you buy trendy items only... Read More

Pearl Jewelry Fashion Trends in 2005

A single strand of classic cultured pearls is always in fashion. Any woman who is looking for her first pearls will choose a white cultured Akoya pearl... Read More

How You Can Be The New It Girl

I was reading an Instyle magazine article featuring Sharon Stone. You know, that Basic Instinct actress who happens to be a genius, with an IQ worthy of... Read More

Fedoras & Floppy Hats - Hot Hot Hot for 2005 & 2006

For those of you that love hats you'll be in your glory - hats are hot this coming season - in fact floppy hats and fedoras are... Read More

Guess Handbags Are A Popular Fashion Accessory!

Guess is a widely recognized brand name that most people associate with clothing. But Guess handbags have made their way to the forefront with the creation of... Read More

Colours of Contact Lenses

Colours of Contact Lenses - Get Lost in those Purple(?) EyesNowadays, there are many colours of contact lenses available to suit your every mood.If you only want... Read More

Get Fashionable With Womens Flipflops

The hottest fashion trend for feet this summer is women's flipflops.No, I don't mean the rubber thong variety flipflops. I mean groovy, embellished flipflops, or slides, for... Read More

Anklets Ahoy!

"Hail to that foot of the lusty beloved which hits the head of the lover, that foot which is adorned with red paste and jingling anklets is... Read More

Clip Earrings: A Pierce-Less Sense of Style

Pierced jewelry is all the rage among both the young and old, celebrities and commoners alike. But for various reasons, a person may be against ear piercings.... Read More

Five Mothers Day Gift Ideas

Books1. If mom is a collector, whatever her passion - depression glass, blue and white pottery, silver, paperweights, or furniture of any period - there is a... Read More

Looking for a Sexy Handbag? Check Out the Balenciaga Handbag!

Balenciaga handbags are known for being one of the sexiest designer handbags straight out of Europe. Every woman is sexy in her own way, and a Balenciaga... Read More

Each Watch Band is Unique and Tells Its Own Story

Anyone who possesses a valuable and unique watch will also want something special from the watch band that is worn with it. HIRSCH artisanal watch bands are... Read More

Leather Jewelry - a Touch of Forbidden (and Friendship)

Most people will agree that leather jewelry is great. Whether it's a wristband or an ankle bracelet ? it has a touch of style. Even though it's... Read More

An Introduction to Lapel Pins

Lapel pins are not just jewelry; they are a way to show off a wearer's passion, affiliation, hobby or travels. Many people collect and trade lapel pins... Read More

Jewelry and Gemstone Care & Cleaning Tips

Diamond earrings, emerald rings, ruby bracelets, sapphire pendants; no doubt about it everybody loves beautiful gem stone jewelry. Gemstones are quite literally hard as rock, buy they... Read More

Sunglasses Options are Plentiful

Protecting your eyes from the sun's harmful rays is very important if you are spending any time outdoors. Even days that are hazy or dull require protection... Read More

Buying Shoes Online - The Benefits

I love to buy shoes but I hate to shop for them.Driving and walking from store to store can be exhausting. In fact, most neighborhood shoe stores... Read More

Teen Jewelry Fashion Exposed

Teenagers are a fickle bunch. At that stage of physical and psychological growth, they are constantly experimenting with things to improve their image and their look. Teen... Read More

Shopping Tips and Tricks to Finding the Perfect Pair of Shoes

This article will provide you with some useful shopping tips and tricks to finding a perfect pair of shoes.Following a recent advertising campaign I asked a number... Read More

Pull Off a Blazer with These Five Steps

The key to this season is to mix it up. This season is looking more towards a laid back but sophisticated look. The piece that drives this... Read More

Eyewear Frames - Catch the Wave of Fashion

With so many eyewear choices it can be difficult to know what eye wear frames and styles are best for you. Considerations such as face shape, personality,... Read More

Guide to the Latest Fashion Labels

From the runway to the impulse-buy section at the grocery store, people today are always looking for the newest, latest fashions. Sporting fancy labels attests to one's... Read More

The Truth About Platinum

Is platinum a new metal? After all, in the past, one would associate diamonds with gold. Nowadays, the most expensive fine jewelry designs set diamonds in... Read More

Looking Good Doesnt Have To Cost A Fortune ? Buy Estate Jewelry

When it comes to estate jewelry there is always much discussion about what is and what is not estate jewelry. The definition is really quite simple. Estate... Read More

Why Fashion Matters

Fashion has suffered its share of browbeating and scorn. To understand fashion and what it truly implies for a culture I take a step back from my... Read More

Celebrities Like Their Pearls

Pearls never go out of style ? they are always a classy and traditional wardrobe accessory that will never disappoint you. But this year they are a... Read More