Gemstone Earrings
Don’t you enjoy the shine and glitter of gemstone earrings? Do earrings made of sapphires, rubies, diamonds and other gems look flattering on you? Do you ever look at the gemstone pieces and wish that they shouldn’t lose their sparkle and brightness? Well, am sure you always want to retain the quality of those earrings so you can stand out each time you wear them. But the question is, how do you maintain that sparkle your earrings had on the first day you purchased it? Is it even possible?
Yes, it is possible. You can retain the beauty of your earrings as long as you have the knowledge on how to take good care of gems. Knowing how to take care of gemstones helps in making sure you don’t do anything that can cause lack-cluster to them. Familiarizing yourself with different gemstones treatments is also important. Now you don’t have to pay a lot of money to restore your earrings to their original look. This care guide will assist you to ensure that your earrings last a lifetime.
Most Common Gemstone Defects
Scratches – your earrings will get unwanted scratches if exposed to sharp objects when you are wearing them. It can even add impurities to those precious earrings. You must take proper care of them so that they don’t get the scratches that prevent the stone from giving out its pure brilliance and sparkle.
Discoloration – staining on gemstones happen when the stones are exposed to elements that make them loose their color and brilliance. Some stones react negatively to various environmental particles making them lose the colors slowly or instantly. This defect can make the stone look dull and cheap. But, the color can be returned with proper cleaning. Unfortunately, some tarnished gemstones can’t be restored. It’s crucial that you get a place for storing your gemstone earrings.
Chips – this is another gemstone impurity that comes in the form of chips. I consider this to be the worst defect a stone can get. A chip not only slashes down the gemstones radiance but also diminishes its beauty. Who would want to wear a chipped gem earring? To avoid chips, ensure that you learn how you can protect them properly.
Taking Care of Your Gemstone Jewelry
Caring for these precious gems is achievable and easy. It is not a must for you to have expensive products or high-tech equipment to keep the jewelry pieces safe. This basic knowledge on gemstone jewelry care will save you a lot of trouble.
Contrary to what we know, gems can’t last forever, especially when you don’t take care of them. One thing you must know is the specs and characteristics of the stone. Are the earrings made of porous gem? How hard is the gem according to the hardness scale? Do you need a special chemical to clean them or water can suffice? If you ask these questions and get the right answers, you will find it easy to maintain your gemstone jewelry.
Unlike other gems, you have to be cautious when cleaning porous stones. These stones are also called delicate gems meaning they can be discolored, chipped or scratched easily. Examples of such stones include onyx, amber, coral, pearl, turquoise and emerald. If exposed to heat, the quality of these gems immediately reduces, not to mention discoloration. Exposing then to other harder gemstones could cause chipping and scratching. All the earrings made of porous gems must be cleaned and stored well, ensure they get they get the appropriate care for their type.
Storage is an important factor when it comes to taking care of gemstone jewelry. Its the best way to preserve their quality after you clean them. Store gems separately depending on their hardness level. You can keep the hard ones in a separate box. Also, ensure that all your stones don’t get exposed to moisture since it can diminish the gem quality. The metals on your earrings must be secured well so that they don’t scratch the stones.
Gemstones, especially the porous ones can react to chemicals. Products with bleach or chlorine can cause discoloration. If exposed to petroleum jelly, some stones can get long term defects. If you have to swim, ensure that your jewelry is sealed in a box.
Any gemstone fan knows the importance of maintaining the beauty of gemstone earrings, including other jewelry. Proper care will enable you to prolong their lifespan. If you are not familiar with cleaning your earrings, just take them to a professional gemstone cleaner to avoid further damages.