NATURAL GEMSTONE CARE

By their very nature, precious and semi-precious gemstones are hard and have high resistance. However, not all of them have the same degree of hardness and resistance, and they are not indestructible.

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Diamonds are the hardest gemstones found on Earth, ranking 10/10 on Mohs hardness scale. They are closely followed by Sapphires and Rubies which rank 9/10 on the same scale. Emeralds, Topazes, and Aquamarines come next in the hardness scale ranking between 8-7/10. Pearls and peridots are comparatively softer gems ranking between 7-6/10. Compared to jewelry that is set with diamonds, it is important to understand gemstones has unique properties that should be considered when cleaning and storing them.

 

Store your gemstone jewelry separately.

 

• If you store all your jewelry together in a box, the pieces can rub and damage each other. For example, your diamond rings may rub on your pearl earrings eventually causing damage to the latter. To avoid this, store your gemstone jewelry in separate compartments or pouches.
   

• With every Kollectivet purchase, you will receive a jewelry box and a microfibre pouch to store your treasured jewels. We recommend that you store your jewelry in the provided pouch/box when not in use. This provided pouch has a divider and we recommend storing each piece of jewelry separately (e.g., each earring) for better protection from scratches.
   

• Take care not to sleep in your jewelry as prongs can catch on blankets and stretch. Also, check your gemstone settings at least every six months to make sure the stones are secure.

 

​Cleaning your gemstone jewelry. 

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• The most important first step is to check for any loose stones. Use your finger or toothpick and gently nudge around the stones to see if they move about.

• Use a bowl and mix a gentle soap with warm water. Soak the gemstone jewelry for a few minutes to loosen up dirt and grime. Using a soft toothbrush or Q-tip, scrub around and beneath the stone to clean and restore sparkle.

• Once cleaned, give it a final rinse and gently dry with a microfibre cloth. Avoid using textiles such as cotton towels where the fibres can snag or get caught by the prongs used to set the gemstones.

 

Other important pointers:
 

• Refrain from using chemical cleaning agents on gemstones. Some gemstones are more brittle than others, such as emeralds. Due to their nature of having inclusions, most emeralds are oil treated. Avoid any harsh chemicals that can strip away this oil.

• Water causes no harm to gemstones. However, chlorine, salts, sweat and other chemicals can cause the metal to tarnish and dull the appearance of the gemstones.

• Avoid wearing your gemstone jewelry in hot tubs or natural hot springs which may cause irreparable damage to certain sensitive gemstones like opals or turquoise.​
  
   

If you notice a problem with your jewelry, contact us immediately to prevent more extensive damage or loss.