Taking care of exquisite jewelry is a must. When it comes to caring for jewelry in general, there are a few things to keep in mind:

To protect your jewelry from sunlight, store it in a dark pouch or case. Amethyst and topaz can be damaged by excessive exposure to light, while pearls may become discolored if exposed to too much sun. Opals might also turn darker after being subjected to more than just enough UV rays for healthy stone care practices.

Be careful with treated stones, as they require special attention. At the time of purchase, all treatments should be declared. Heat, steam, and ultrasonic cleaners, as well as certain solvents, can damage treated gemstones. If you have treated gemstone jewelry, follow your jeweler's recommendations on how to keep it shining.

While ultrasonic cleaners are excellent for cleaning metals, diamonds, and some gemstones, they should not be used in the following situations:

• On natural jewelry such as pearls, coral, and ivory.

• Any gemstones that have had their cracks sealed with oil, resin, or glass. Most emeralds, for example, are fracture-filled and should not be cleaned with an ultrasonic cleaner.

• Gems that have been encased in a protective layer. Mystic Fire Topaz, for example, has an azotic coating and should not be cleaned with an ultrasonic cleaner.

• Some heat-treated gemstones.

• Any gemstones that are sensitive to heat or temperature fluctuations, such as tanzanite, iolite, opal, and so on, should not be cleaned with an ultrasonic cleaner.

Heat-treated gemstones

All heat-sensitive gemstones such as Tanzanite, Iolite, and Opal should not be cleaned in an ultrasonic cleaner.

Cleaning Methods That Are Safe and Easy

Cleaning and polishing jewelry

When cleaning gemstones and diamonds, use warm water, light dish soap, and a soft brush. Pour warm soapy water over your jewelry and thoroughly rinse. With a lint-free cloth, dry your work.

It's easy to scratch softer stones, like pearls. With a delicate brush, clean your pearls in warm, slightly soapy water. Rinse your pearls thoroughly and place them on a towel or chamois to dry completely. It is recommended to let the pearls sit until the silk thread is totally dry because silk thread will stretch.