GEMSTONE & JEWELLERY CARE

Jewellery may be made of precious metals and gemstones: materials we perceive to be hard and durable, but as with anything, it can easily be damaged.  Take a diamond, even though the strongest material on earth, it too can crack, cleave perfectly if hit along its crystal structure. So be careful, consider your jewellery carefully. Don't do gardening or the washing up and such like with your precious bling on! 

BERYL; EMERALDS & AQUAMARINES

Emeralds are special, and need special care, although 6.5-7 on the Moh's Hard Scale, due to their composition, with feathers and inclusions they are most often treated, "oiled" to improve the clarity, this is a harmless treatment, however, can be slightly unstable, and sensitive to chemicals. So, please don't clean them yourself, don't shower with them on and please please take them off before thinking of doing the washing up!

Also, due to their "feathers" they are susceptible to cracking due to stress/ knocks.

As for Aquamarines, most are treated to improve colour and clarity, so always take care of them too.

DIAMOND

Diamond, being the hardest material on earth, is incredibly resistant to wear and tear, which is part of the reason it's such a wonderful stone for an engagement or eternity ring, as it is the most durable of all gems. It is mainly heat, acid, abrasive and shock resistant, however, as said above, even diamond can cleave if struck on its weak point of its crystal structure. However, its more about what damage it can do to your other gems and semi-precious stones, so always keep it separate to avoid scratches. It also attracts grease, and so loves a gentle clean to enable the light to shine through and reveal its internal magic once again.

GOLD

Gold can scratch, the higher the carat the softer the gold. Take your rings and things off if doing anything that could harm the metal.

OPALS

Opals are unique, and their magic comes from the high water content reacting with their chemical composition.

They are 5.5 on the Moh's Hard Scale, meaning they are quite susceptible to damage.

All chemicals and acids can affect them, especially hairspray, perfume, washing up liquid, even sweat! ect.

Also, due to high water content, they can also dry out.

Don't store them with rings and things with harder materials like diamonds as this would scratch the stone, so store separately, away from direct sunlight, and every now and then near or with a drop of water, as they can dry and crack.

So, no washing up or exercise or swimming in chlorinated pools.

PEARLS

Pearls are porous, No 2.5 on the Moh's Hard scale, so I'd be careful wearing them in bracelets as they get more of the 'brunt'.  Pearl’s toughness is usually good, but aging, dehydration, and sometimes excessive bleaching during initial processing might make some pearls more fragile.
High heat can burn cultured pearls or cause discoloration, splitting, or cracking.
Although Pearl is generally stable to light; heat from intense light can cause dehydration and cracked nacre.
Pearls can be damaged by many chemicals and all acids, including hair spray, perfume, cosmetics, and even perspiration.
Pearls might be dyed, impregnated, or coated. These treatments might alter over time. Bleaching and irradiation can be stable during normal wear.

So be careful, don't spray your perfume on them and careful out in the heat, with sweat and sun, and chlorine pools, and store them separately to the rest of your jewellery.

May they be the last thing you put on in the morning, and the first you take off at night!

Corundum: RUBIES and SAPPHIRES

No 8 on Moh's Hard Scale, they are more durable and less susceptible to acids and abrasions than most gems.  Nevertheless, most rubies on the market have had some treatment, either heat or irradiation to improve clarity or enhance colour, so its recommended to always be careful, avoiding harsh chemicals particularly.

SEMI-PRECIOUS Stones

All these are lower on the Moh's Hard Scale, and need care, never place them around harder gems that could scratch, and avoid chemicals, perfumes and abrasive activity. Amber, turquoise, amazonite, coral ect are all most delicate and please treat carefully.

Any more detailed advice please do contact Harriet.