Tips to rejuvenate gemstone jewellery

Parent Category: Fashion n Modelling

Posted in: Jewellery on Tuesday, 25 February 2014 12:11

Published on Tuesday, 25 February 2014 12:11

Written by Models n Trends

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by Gaurav Issar, Mg. Dir., Institute of Diamond Trade, India

Gemstone jewellery is extremely expensive and also one that involves intricate craftsmanship. However, over a period of time it loses shine and starts looking dull. A round of polishing from any jewellery store will cost you a fortune. This is because they charge you for every each piece of gemstone. Even a small ring of kundan work may have several and different types of gemstones. Needless to say that it makes more sense to be cleaning gemstones at home.

Say no to spray perfume: Never spray perfume on your gemstones. Do not cover them with makeup or body lotion. All these cosmetic things are bad for stones. They are universally bad for any kind of jewellery because these are all studded in metal.

Remove grime with luke warm water: Fill a bowl with lather lukewarm, soapy water and let your Gems soak. If you use a sink, use a plug or drain stopper, so your precious gems don't accidentally spiral down into your home plumbing. Transfer your jewellery into another bowl filled with glass cleaner for a few moments, and then use your soft brush to wipe away any residual dirt. For the softer stones like opal, moonstone, amethyst etc. you have to use hand wash soap instead of washing power.

Try good old-fashioned baking soda: Baking soda has an amazing amount of cleaning uses, and can also get the grime off of your jewellery. Combine the baking soda with water to create a paste, and then use a soft brush to gently scrub your gems and metals. Next, dry and polish the ring with a lint-free cloth and your jewelry will shine.

Use soft brushes for hard gems: A popular tool of choice is a soft-bristle tooth brush. The brush must be soft; otherwise, you might do more harm than good to your stone or setting. A hard-bristle brush might even damage the metal holding your gems and diamonds. To clean your jewellery, get a warm bowl of water and scrub with a few drops of ordinary liquid dish detergent.

Make vodka your best option: To clean your crystalline gemstones, soak your diamond ring in a shot of vodka. When you take the piece out of the liquid, use a soft cloth to polish it to reach the shine. This remedy will only work with diamonds and emeralds; do not use on any other pieces. For corals you can use ethyl alcohol.