The ultimate guide to know how to clean and take care of your jewels

At MYEL, we believe that a piece of jewelry is made to stand the test of time. This is why jewels are precious objects : they can be worn for decades, be passed down from generation to generation. But they are also true demonstrations of love or little talismans that most of us like to wear on a daily basis. Therefore they may show signs of time, whatever they are made of, their stone or their price. Life marks them just like it marks ourselves. 

In this article, we share with you our tips and tricks so that your jewelry can follow you over time.

 

PRECIOUS STONES AND PEARLS

Aquamarine

Like all gemstones, aquamarine should be protected from hard impacts. Clean with mild dish soap: use a toothbrush to scrub behind the stone, where dust can collect.

Citrine

Citrine is very durable, but try to avoid exposure to heat. Clean with warm water, detergent and a soft brush. Citrine can be put in ultrasonic or steam cleaners.

Emerald

Although emerald is quite hard and durable, inclusions can weaken its crystal structure. Avoid sharp impacts on the stone and shapes with exposed points, like a marquise, should be protected. Clean with warm water, detergent, and a soft brush. Store separately from other jewelry and gemstones. Never put emerald in ultrasonic or steam cleaners.

Fire Opal

Opal is one of the softer gemstones and requires some extra care by the wearer. For fire opal, it's the same. Do not wear it when you know you will be doing hard physical work. If they are hit hard, it can chip. To clean fire opal, use warm water and detergent. Scrub with a soft brush and rinse with warm water. It is not necessary to store your fire opal in water or oil when you are not wearing it. Store it separately in a soft pouch where it won't get damaged or scratched by other jewelry.

Sapphire

Sapphire is among the most durable of gemstones. In its most common form, corundum is even used as an abrasive! Clean your sapphire with warm water, detergent and a soft brush. Sapphire can be put in ultrasonic or steam cleaners.

Blue Topaz

Topaz is a very hard gemstone, but it can be split or "cleaved" with a single blow, a trait it shares with diamond. It must therefore be protected from hard knocks. Clean with mild dish soap: use a toothbrush to scrub behind the stone, where dust can accumulate.

Tourmaline

Clean with mild dish soap: use a toothbrush to scrub behind the stone where dust can collect.

Pearl

Pearls are organic and must be protected from chemicals and oils. Always put on pearls after you put on makeup, perfume and hair products. Before storing your pearls after wearing them, wipe them with a soft cloth to remove dust and oils. Store them in a cloth-lined box or pouch and keep them away from other jewelry, which might scratch them. Never put any pearls in an ultrasonic or steam cleaner.

5 things to know and to keep in mind: 1. Never wear your jewelry while bathing. Not only can you lose them, but chlorine and salt can damage precious metals and gems. 2. Avoid wearing your jewelry while cooking, cleaning, washing dishes or showering. All of these activities can damage, scratch, and harm all jewelry. 3. Never wear your pearls in water. Not only can the chemicals in the water damage the pearl, but the silk used to string your pearls will stretch and weaken. Pearls should always be the last thing you put on and the first thing you take off. After wearing pearls, be sure to wipe them down with a soft, clean, dry cloth before storing them. 4. Stay away from chemicals. You never know what might damage your precious metals and gems. 5. Be careful with your opals. Avoid taking them from extreme heat to extreme cold (for exemple when you take something from the freezer and you put it in the oven). It is best to clean opals with a soft, clean, dry cloth. SHOP MYEL JEWELRY CLEANING PEN

HOW TO USE OUR JEWELRY CLEANING PEN?

 

METALS

Gold and Platinum

Most gold and platinum jewelry can be maintained with a non-abrasive cleaner.

Warning! : Avoid exposing your gold jewelry to bleach, which quickly discolors the gold and can even disintegrate it.

To prevent tarnishing, store your gold or platinum jewelry in its original case or other lined box or pouch.

Silver

Sterling silver tarnishes quickly, especially when exposed to salt air and products containing sulfur.

To clean your silver jewelry, you can rub it with a MYEL cloth.

Warning! : Chlorine and bleach accelerate tarnishing. They should be avoided.

To prevent tarnishing, simply store the jewelry in a dry place, and if possible, keep it in a cloth bag.

*One of the best ways to prevent sterling silver jewelry from tarnishing is to wear it.
** Clear crystalline stones can be cleaned with the MYEL cleaning pen.

 

Reference:
Columbia Gem House : https://columbiagemhouse.com/gem-care-cleaning/