Cleaning gemstones is easy. Simply soak the piece in a bowl of warm, soapy water for several minutes and then use a soft, non-metallic brush to remove any grime. Never do this with a pearl, opal or emerald though. The oil on an emerald can be stripped away by cleaning, making the emerald change appearance. Opals will dry out and craze or turn a solid white, losing the opalescence. A soft toothbrush works well. Just be careful not too scratch the metal holding the stone(s). If you use a jewelry cleanser, make sure it is non-abrasive. Don’t use harsh chemical cleaners, and don’t clean the item in the sink too often it ends up down the drainpipe. Clean your items over a black plate if your cleaning diamonds and a white plate for gemstones. Also keep in mind that some gemstones may have been treated or enhanced by heating, oiling, irradiation or diffusion. Heated and irradiated stones generally don’t require special care when cleaning, but diffused stones could become lighter if scrubbed too hard. If you really want the metal in your piece to shine you should take it to your local jeweler to have them professionally polish it.
