Jewelry Care & Cleaning Instructions

Fine jewelry is timeless, often passed down through generations carrying with it stories of past ancestors. Following the guidelines and care instructions listed here will help you maintain the lasting beauty or your jewelry purchase , it is the recommendation of Radiant Fine Jewelry to carefully read instructions regarding a that apply to any your specific piece of jewelry.  ift of jewelry for a loved one, it is best to use proper care to preserve your it is important It is important to understand how to care for the precious metal, but equally important is learning clean each gemstone since many gemstones have unique care instructions based on their properties, composition or structure.

General Care Instructions

Do not wear your jewelry in swimming pools and on beaches. The chlorine in the pool and the seawater can harm and discolor the gemstones in your jewelry. Wearing gold in chlorine will eventually break down the metals that are mixed with the gold and cause discoloration and breakdown in the strength of the gold.  o not wear your jewelry when using household cleaners. Avoid bleach and ammonia at all costs unless advised in the specific gemstone instructions. Do not soak your jewelry for extended periods in soap or other such solutions. It may harm the polish of your gemstone. Do not allow stones into hot water as some stones have ben known to crack. Keep all your rings stored separately and not in a pile in your jewelry box as some stones and edges will scratch other stones.

 

Types of cleaning for your Diamond, Gemstone, Gold and Silver jewelry

Professional Cleaning:
This is the best option and also gives you the opportunity to have your retail jeweler check your diamond's or gemstones mounting to make sure prongs or other settings are not weak or loose.

Cold Water Soak:
A mixture of half cold water and household ammonia will work well if your ring or diamond jewelry is allowed to soak for 30 minutes. Lift your ring out and clean gently around the front and back of the mounting with a small, soft brush. Give the ring a second swish through the solution and let dry on a paper towel. No rinsing is necessary. Do not use ammonia on any other gemstone jewelry!!!! Always one ring or piece of jewelry at a time.

Over-the-Counter Jewelry Cleaners:
Ask your jeweler for a liquid jewelry cleaner made especially for diamonds and follow the instructions on the label. A good cleaner is designed to remove loose dirt and dissolve any oils or residue on the stone.  Be careful with over the counter cleaners as many are not suitable for Gemstones. You cannot use these cleaners on silver jewelry. You must have specific silver cleaner for sterling silver and should not be left in any of these solutions for more than 5 minutes. Always one ring or piece of jewelry at a time.

Detergent Bath:
The simplest cleaning method for your diamond or gemstones is to soak your jewelry in a small bowl of warm water combined with any mild liquid detergent. Do not use hot water. Some stones have been known to crack. So be careful if wearing in the hot shower. Use a toothbrush or other soft brush and gently brush the ring around the setting while it is in the water. Do not allow your soap solution to become grimy or you will cause an even worse film to form. Rinse well in warm water. After its bath, put the ring in a fine wire strainer and rinse thoroughly under warm running water (the strainer provides protection for the ring from slipping down the drain). Pat your ring dry with a soft lint-free cloth. Make sure jewelry is completely dry before storing. Make sure all fine jewelry is store separate or not touching other. Always one ring or piece of jewelry at a time.

Ultrasonic Cleaning:
This method involves a special machine that uses a high-frequency vibration to clean the ring. The ring is enclosed in a small cup with cleaning solution and in just a minute, any dirt and oils are removed from the stone. The method can be done by your jeweler or at home after purchasing an ultrasonic cleaner. However certain Gemstones should not be put in a ultrasonic cleaning system. Always one ring or piece of jewelry at a time. Please see care instructions for your particular gemstone.

  

Individual Gemstone, Gold and Silver Care and Cleaning Instructions

Aqate Care and Cleaning: Soak in warm soapy water for 10-20 minutes and rinse carefully and let dry. Store away from other jewelry.

Amber Care and Cleaning: require special care because they are porous. Make sure you don’t expose them to the chemicals in hair products, fragrances and cosmetics. Store them in a cloth-lined box or pouch and keep them away from other jewelry, which might scratch them. To clean them, simply wipe clean with a soft cloth.

Amethyst Care and Cleaning: Clean your amethyst with water and soft soap. Sunlight and exposure to heat causes the color of amethysts to deteriorate. Avoid any contact with chemicals such as household cleaners or hairspray. To clean, use a soft toothbrush or cloth and a solution of mild dish soap and warm water to gently scrub the stone. You may also clean it with an at-home ultrasonic unit. There are chances that chlorine and salt water may discolor and fade the Amethyst in your jewelry. Ensure you leave your Amethyst jewelry at home when visiting your local pool or when spending a day at the beach. Never use toothpaste to clean your Amethyst jewelry. The abrasives in your toothpaste could mar the shine on Amethyst and the mounted metal.

Aquamarine Care and Cleaning: Aquamarines should never be cleaned with mechanical cleaners. However, warm water and mild soap can effectively remove oils and dirt, which can build up to dull aquamarine's blue color. Unlike emeralds, aquamarines are usually not treated with fillers, resins, or oils to reduce inclusions.

Blue Topaz Care and Cleaning: Like Diamonds Blue Topaz have perfect cleavage - meaning that a sharp blow from the right direction will cause the stone to split perfectly along the cleavage line. For this reason, it's important to remove blue topaz jewelry when doing house or yard work, and before applying makeup and hair spray. Clean blue topaz jewelry with a soft cloth or brush and a solution of mild dishwashing liquid and water. Soak the piece of jewelry in the solution for ten to twenty minutes, then carefully scrub with a soft toothbrush. Do not use ultrasonic or mechanical cleaners and avoid harsh chemical cleaning solutions.

Carnelian Care and Cleaning: The best way to clean your gemstone jewelry is in a bowl of water with a few drops of ordinary dish detergent. Using an old toothbrush or other soft brush, scrub gently behind the stone where dust and soap can collect. Then just rinse and pat try with a soft cloth.

Chalcedony and Cleaning: The best way to clean your gemstone jewelry is in a bowl of water with a few drops of ordinary dish detergent. Using an old toothbrush or other soft brush, scrub gently behind the stone where dust and soap can collect. Then just rinse and pat try with a soft cloth.

Citrine Care and Cleaning: Your citrine could last forever if you take care of it in the right way. It must be shielded from any type of situation where it could be scratched or hit. That said however, it is pretty good at standing up to your normal everyday wear and tear. It is very important for a citrine not to be left in the sun, or to be in situations, for example sunbathing, where it will be exposed to prolonged sunlight or heat. Because of its sensitivity to heat, the stone’s color could change and fade into a lighter color. You can use any commercial jewelry cleaner or plain soap and warm water (using a soft brush) to wash your citrine. Make sure you rinse and dry it thoroughly after cleaning it. You may also have the stone cleaned in an ultrasonic cleaner, however steam cleaning is not recommended.

 

Diamond Care and Cleaning: Even though diamonds are very hard, they can be chopped if hit on a really hard surface. Avoid contact with Chlorine Bleach and any other household cleansers, it can damage or discolor the mounting. The simplest cleaning method for your diamond  is to soak your jewelry in a small bowl of warm, sudsy water combined with any mild liquid detergent. Use a toothbrush or other soft brush and gently brush the ring around the setting while it is in the water. After its bath, put the ring in a fine wire strainer and rinse thoroughly under warm running water (the strainer provides protection for the ring from slipping down the drain). Pat your ring dry with a soft lint-free cloth.

Diopside Care and Cleaning: The best way to clean your gemstone jewelry is in a bowl of water with a few drops of ordinary dish detergent. Using an old toothbrush or other soft brush, scrub gently behind the stone where dust and soap can collect. Then just rinse and pat try with a soft cloth.

Emerald Care and Cleaning :  Clean emeralds with a soft, damp cloth, warm water and a soft brush. Do not use mechanical cleaners. Avoid chemicals and heat that may dissolve oils used during cutting and processing to conceal inclusions. Have a jeweler re-oil your emerald every few years. Although emerald is harder than quartz, its crystal structure makes it brittle. Avoid impacts. It is important to buy fine emerald from a reputable retailer who will provide, in writing, all pertinent information regarding the gem including enhancements and special care notes.

Garnet Care and Cleaning : To clean garnet, use warm soapy water and a soft brush. An ultrasonic cleaner is safe for most garnets, except andradite (demantoid). Do not steam clean garnet. It is important to buy gemstones from a reputable retailer who will provide, in writing, all pertinent information regarding the gems including enhancements and special care notes.

Gold Care and Cleaning : Gold will clean up nicely with a warm water and detergent. However often times there will be other agents in the detergent that will cause a film over time. Rinse very thoroughly and dry immediately.

Iolite Care and Cleaning:  Do not use ultrasonic cleaner or steam cleaner. Use warm soapy water and a soft brush.

Jade Care and Cleaning: Jade is usually waxed so I would not use any ultrasonic or over the counter cleaners that might remove the wax like coating. Best to clean with use warm soapy water and a soft brush.

Kunzite Care and Cleaning: Kunzite is quite fragile and should be kept from sharp objects and you should avoid excessive heat that can fade the color. Kunzite should be kept from household chemicals and ultrasonic cleaners. Kunzite should be cleaned with room temperature soapy water and soft brush. Kunzite should be stored in a fabric lined box away from any other jewelry that could scratch it.

Onyx Care and Cleaning:  Soak in warm soapy water for 10-20 minutes and rinse carefully and let dry. Store away from other jewelry. Black Onyx can still chip easily.

 

Opal Care and Cleaning: Use a soft dry or damp cloth to clean your opal. In fact, Rub the gem periodically with cloth moistened with olive oil to help preserve it. Do not soak your opal in place in chemicals or use mechanical cleaners. Avoid heat and dry conditions that could dehydrate and crack your opal. Treat it with care to prevent sharp blows and scratches. Avoid impacts. It is important to buy fine opal from a reputable retailer who will provide, in writing, all pertinent information regarding the gem including enhancements and special care notes.

Moonstone Care and Cleaning: Moonstone is a fragile gem that should be handled with care. To clean, rub lightly with a soft polishing cloth. An optional dab of olive oil will produce a beautiful shine.

Pearl Care and Cleaning:  Pearls are a softer then diamonds gemstones. Any marring of the surface will harm its luster, Just as important in pearl care is routine cleaning of your pearl jewelry. Pearls should be cleaned after every time you wear them as they usually end-up coming in contact with a variety of substances just from wearing them against your body. Skin exudes a natural acid in our body oil and perspiration. Make-up, lotion, facial moisturizers, perfume, hair care products, sun block, etc., contain chemical substances, which rub off or drop onto pearls when they are worn at the same time. Even a small amount of chemical residue can dull the luminosity of a pearl, which will diminish its beauty. Hairspray is especially harmful to pearls. Wait 30 minutes before putting on your pearls. Carry all you pearl jewelry in a soft cloth case. Separate from other jewelry. Over exposure to Ultra-Violet Rays day after day for example leaving them sitting in the sunlight may cause damage to the pearls surface and the silk cord.

Never leave pearls on top of a TV, fireplace, or any such hot place as the pearls will discolor from the heat. Nowhere near a blow dryer either. Remove pearl rings before applying lotion. Do not allow the silk cord to get wet as it will stretch. If the cord does get went lay flat on a soft cloth and allow to naturally dry. Do not ever wear pearls in the chlorinated pools or spas.

Pearls should be cleaned with a mild castille unscented soap. Not a detergent. Cleaning around the hole is usually dirt will gather. Next would be a very mild shampoo.

Peridot Care and Cleaning: Peridot is occasionally treated with colorless oil, wax, natural and synthetic unhardened resins into voids to improve appearance. Surface fractures are sometimes filled with a colorless hardened substance. These treatments should be stable if done properly. Warm, soapy water is recommended to clean peridot. Steam cleaning should never be used, and ultrasonic cleaning is risky.

 

Quartz Care and Cleaning : Wash in warm soapy water and clean with a small soft brush, Rinse thoroughly and dry with lint free cloth before storing. Never submerge jewelry for more than 5-10 minutes.

 

Rubies Care and Cleaning: You can clean treated or untreated rubies the same-- with soapy water or a gentle commercial solvent and a brush. Mechanical cleaners are also safe, except with heavily included gems. Some rubies have fissures that break the surface and are filled with a glass-like byproduct from the heating process. Surface cavities in rubies are also intentionally filled with such material as glass, solidified borax or similar colorless substances to improve its durability and appearance. These enhancements may wear over time if treated harshly or exposed to strong abrasives and solvents, as well as heat. The filler material used is fragile and may fall out, break or abrade 

Sapphires Care and Cleaning: You can clean heated (and non-enhanced) sapphire with soapy water or commercial solvent and a brush. Mechanical cleaners are also safe, except for heavily included gems (filled with fissures).

 

 

Silver Care and Cleaning: Silver jewelry should be wiped clean with a silver cleaning cloth and then cleaned with silver jewelry cleaner. Make sure not to get any silver cleaner on your stones, especially turquoise and other porous stones and it will ruin the waxy finish. Do not submerge your silver with gemstones at all and not for more than 5 minutes even with no stones.

 

Sunstone Care and Cleaning: It is usually okay to clean in ultrasonic cleaner as long as it is alone. However, it would probably better to use the warm soapy water and light brush.

 

 

Tanzanite Care and Cleaning:  Tanzanite is a fairly hard stone but is not as durable and can chip if it hit against a hard surface. You should not clean in a ultrasonic cleaner or steam cleaner. Tanzanite can be cleaned with most commercial jewelry cleaner or with a mild soap and water with a soft brush. Make sure it is dried thoroughly after cleaning.

 

 

Tourmaline Care and Cleaning: Avoid harsh cleaners and household cleansers and tourmaline should not be cleaned with ultrasonic cleaners. Clean at least once a month with mild dishwashing detergent and water with a soft brush. Allow to soak 10-20 minutes. Rinse well and allow to completely dry before storing.

 

 

Turquiose Care and Cleaning: Your Turquoise jewelry should not put on until you have applied all your makeup. Wait 30 minutes for all lotions and hair spray to dry. Wipe your jewelry with a dry lint free cloth after every time you wear it. Turquoise Jewelry should only be washed with warm water and a small jewelry brush or soft toothbrush. Let dry flat on cloth after you have dried as much of the water off the jewelry as you can. You should never be submerged in water. Never use any cleaners or unltrasonic cleaning systems. Avoid contact with household cleaners. If your Turquoise has silver on it, clean silver with silver cleaner and cloth but make sure to not to get silver cleaner on the turquoise. Remember that Turquoise is porous and even water if left sitting on the jewelry can be absorbed and can change the finish. Store you Turquiose jewelry in a soft bag.