Cleaning Tips for Common Gems

Keeping your gemstones clean and brilliant is as important as taking care and cleaning your gold jewelry. In case you are not sure of the best way to clean your gemstones below you will find a guide to cleaning the most common types of gems.

Alexandrite: Clean this gem with soapy water, alcohol or commercially available products. You can also use mechanical cleaners.

Aquamarine: Be careful with this gem. Do not use chemical cleaners, avoid heat and avoid frequent cleanings. The best way to clean aquamarine is with soapy water.

Diamond: Mechanical and chemical cleaners are generally safe for diamonds but they should not be used if your stone has fractures. If you use soapy water to clean the diamonds, then rinse and dry them well

Emerald: Do not use chemical or mechanical cleaners when cleaning your emeralds. These chemicals can dissolve the oils used during the processing of emerald to fill inclusions. Clean your emeralds with soapy water and have your jeweler re-oil them.

Garnet: Use a soapy water solution.

Jade: Soapy water solution is the easiest and safest cleaning solution for jade. Mechanical cleaners are also okay but don't use chemical cleaners.

Opal: Caution, never wash or scrub opals. Wipe them after use with soft dry or slightly damp cloth.

Pearl: Wipe pearls with a soft dry or damp cloth after wearing them. You can also use a soapy water solution to clean them.

Peridot: Don't use mechanical or chemical cleaners for these gems. Rather, use a soapy water solution.

So there is it is. Before you rush off to clean any gemstone, consult the list and choose the best cleaning method for that particular gem.

Lewis Jewelers is proud to carry the full line of Pandora Jewelry.  Pandora bracelets, Pandora charms and Pandora beads are only a part of the collection. For more information, contact Lewis Jewelers, 2000 West Stadium Blvd., Ann Arbor, Michigan, 48103, 877-88-LEWIS or visit LewisJewelers.com.