In previous articles, we’ve introduced a lot of knowledge about jewelry and some interesting stories. This time, let’s discuss something more practical: jewelry maintenance.
When wearing jewelry for a long time, you may notice that gemstones become dull and lose their luster. Some newcomers to the jewelry world might think they’ve bought a fake. However, this is not the case.
Even the most expensive jewelry will lose its shine over time due to various reasons, which is why daily maintenance is crucial. After all, no one wants to constantly visit specialized jewelry stores for repairs and beauty treatments.
This article will mainly focus on our “sister gemstones” – rubies and sapphires.
Throughout history, rubies have held a very noble status. From ancient times to the present, only rubies, apart from diamonds, have enjoyed the reputation of being the king of gemstones. In both Eastern and Western cultures, the blood-red color of rubies has always evoked thoughts of life and courage.
Set with a 7.36ct pear-cut ruby
Adorned with 60 round-cut diamonds totaling 0.44ct
When wearing ruby jewelry, daily maintenance is actually quite simple.
Firstly, avoid wearing ruby jewelry during sports or heavy manual work to prevent unnecessary damage from bumps and scratches. Secondly, don’t store ruby jewelry in the same box as other jewelry pieces. Because different gemstones and metals have varying hardness levels, friction between them can lead to wear and tear.
Main stone is a 5.38ct cushion-cut ruby, accented with rubies and diamonds
It’s also important to inspect your jewelry monthly. If any settings are loose, have them repaired promptly at a specialized location. Rubies can lose their luster when they come into contact with body oils and sweat. Therefore, if you wear them frequently, you should clean them once a month.
Additionally, special attention should be paid to invisible settings and micro-pavé jewelry. Be careful during daily wear and try to avoid significant impacts. If you notice any stones falling out of invisible settings, stop wearing the piece and have it repaired as soon as possible to prevent large-scale gem loss.
Main stone is a 5.03ct oval-cut ruby
Set with a 1.21ct oval-cut diamond below, graded E color and VVS1 clarity
Accented with small rubies and diamonds
When cleaning gemstones at home, you can use mild soapy water and a soft brush, which is the simplest cleaning method. After washing, let the jewelry air dry on a lint-free towel. Use wax-free dental floss or toothpicks to remove dirt from the gemstone and between the prongs.
Set with 13 oval-cut and cushion-cut rubies totaling 35.05ct, accented with diamonds
Avoid using bleach, as the chlorine can cause pitting in alloys, decompose them, and even corrode soldered areas. Don’t use abrasive laundry detergents, cleaning agents, or toothpaste. Never soak jewelry in cleaning solutions or acids.
It’s best to have your jewelry professionally cleaned and inspected at a jewelry store every six months to maintain the gemstones’ luster. Invisible settings and micro-pavé jewelry should not be cleaned in ultrasonic cleaners to prevent stone loss.
Main stone is an 18.12ct cushion-cut ruby, accented with rubies
Pink diamonds and diamonds, pendant can be detached and worn as a brooch
In the blazing July heat, wearing fiery red ruby jewelry allows the brilliant sunlight and the dazzling radiance of rubies to complement each other, inspiring vitality and motivation.
Blue always provides a sense of security and dependability, and sapphires, these beautiful and colorful gems, represent the earth’s endless vitality with their pure, deep sea-blue hues. Apart from red corundum gemstones, all other shades of corundum are commercially referred to as sapphires.
Therefore, sapphires are not limited to blue corundum gemstones. In addition to a complete blue series, they also come in yellow, pink, orange, and purple hues reminiscent of fireworks and sunsets. These colored sapphires are collectively known as fancy sapphires.
Flower-shaped brooch with a 5.74ct cushion-cut sapphire at the center
Sourced from Kashmir and untreated, petals set with round-cut diamonds
Base made of platinum and yellow gold
The soft and deep luster emitted by colorful sapphires exudes ultimate allure and exotic charm, captivating viewers. Although sapphires are second only to diamonds in scratch resistance, no gemstone is entirely immune to damage. Therefore, care should be taken to avoid abrasive substances and sudden impacts.
For daily maintenance of sapphires, use a soft cloth to wipe away dust and other residues. You can also clean sapphire jewelry at home using an ultrasonic cleaner or a solution of one part ammonia to six parts water. If cleaning by hand, gently brush with a soft brush to remove most dust and enhance the sapphire’s brilliance, but be careful not to scratch the metal settings.
Main stone is a 21.20ct oval-cut Padparadscha pink sapphire
Sourced from Sri Lanka, untreated, surrounded by pear-shaped
and round-cut diamonds totaling 8.00ct, set in platinum and white gold
When storing sapphires, keep them in a box or soft cloth, preventing contact with other jewelry pieces. Many everyday substances contain varying concentrations of acids or alkalis, which can damage gemstones. The use of cosmetics should be avoided on jewelry as much as possible.
When dressing, apply makeup and perfume before putting on jewelry to avoid direct contact between high-concentration cosmetics or perfumes and the jewelry surface. If you need to reapply perfume, avoid spraying it directly onto the jewelry.
Main stone is a cushion-cut sapphire, accented with marquise,
pear, long baguette, and round-cut diamonds
Normal wear and pulling will eventually loosen the prongs and other metal parts of jewelry. Therefore, periodic professional inspections at the jewelry store where you purchased the item are recommended.
Professionals can repair prongs and ring shanks, necklace clasps, and reshape deformed rings. They can also professionally clean your jewelry, and if gemstones are damaged during daily wear, they can be re-polished according to your needs, restoring their luster.
Sapphires, with their translucent and beautiful colors, were imbued with mysterious supernatural qualities by ancient people. They were regarded as auspicious objects and endowed with beautiful symbols of loyalty, hope, and philanthropy.
Jewelry Care Secrets: Keep Your Gems Eternally Radiant
Tweet
