How to Care for Your Gemstones
A practical gemstone care guide from Robert Cliff Master Jewellers, with simple advice on cleaning, storing and protecting your jewellery so it stays beautiful for years to come.
Gemstones bring colour, personality and meaning to fine jewellery, but every stone needs the right care to stay looking its best. Whether you wear sapphire, emerald, ruby, opal, pearl or diamond jewellery every day or save it for special occasions, proper cleaning and storage will help protect its beauty for years to come.
At Robert Cliff Master Jewellers, we always recommend a gentle approach. While some gemstones are more durable than others, many can be affected by heat, harsh chemicals, pressure, sudden temperature changes or incorrect storage. This guide explains how to clean gemstones safely, how to store gemstone jewellery properly, and when to bring your piece to a professional jeweller for inspection.
Quick Care Tips
- Clean with lukewarm water and mild soap
- Use a very soft brush or lint-free cloth
- Store pieces separately
- Remove jewellery before sport, swimming or cleaning
Avoid
- Harsh chemicals and abrasive cleaners
- Boiling water or sudden temperature changes
- Ultrasonic cleaning unless professionally advised
- Throwing pieces together in one jewellery box
How to Care for Gemstone Jewellery
The safest rule for most gemstone jewellery is simple: clean gently, wear thoughtfully, and store each piece separately. Even durable stones can be damaged by knocks, household chemicals or rubbing against harder materials in a jewellery box.
Can You Use Ultrasonic Cleaners on Gemstones?
Not always. While some stones may tolerate ultrasonic cleaning, many gemstones should only be hand cleaned. Stones with fractures, inclusions, fillings, coatings or delicate structures can be damaged by ultrasonic or steam cleaning. If you are unsure, avoid mechanical cleaning and have your jewellery checked by a trusted jeweller first.
General Gemstone Cleaning Tips
To clean most gemstone jewellery at home, fill a small bowl with lukewarm water and a drop of mild dish soap. Soak briefly if suitable, then gently clean around the stone and setting with a very soft brush. Rinse carefully in clean water and pat dry with a soft cloth. Never use boiling water, toothpaste, rough brushes or abrasive polishing products on gemstones.
Gemstone Care Guide by Stone Type
Diamond Care
Diamonds are one of the hardest gemstones, but they still need proper care. Oils, soap residue and everyday build-up can dull their sparkle. Clean diamonds with lukewarm water, mild soap and a soft toothbrush, especially underneath the setting where residue collects. Store diamond jewellery separately, as diamonds can scratch other gemstones and even other diamonds.
Sapphire Care
Sapphires are durable and well suited to daily wear, making them a popular choice for engagement rings and dress rings. Clean with warm soapy water and a soft brush, then dry with a lint-free cloth. Avoid storing sapphires loose against other jewellery, especially softer gemstones.
Ruby Care
Rubies are strong gemstones, but they should still be cleaned gently by hand whenever possible. Use mild soapy water and a soft brush, then rinse and dry thoroughly. Store ruby jewellery separately to reduce scratching and accidental knocks to neighbouring stones.
Emerald Care
Emeralds require extra care. Many emeralds contain natural inclusions and may be treated with oils, so harsh cleaning methods are not recommended. Clean only with lukewarm water and a soft brush or cloth. Avoid ultrasonic cleaners, steam, high heat and strong chemicals. If your emerald starts to look dull, a jeweller can advise whether professional attention is needed.
Opal Care
Opals are delicate gemstones that can be affected by sudden temperature changes, pressure and dryness. Clean opals gently with mild soapy water and a soft cloth or very soft brush. Dry carefully before storing. Avoid prolonged heat, harsh sunlight and rough handling, and keep opal jewellery away from heavy impact.
Pearl Care
Pearls are soft and organic, so they should be treated more delicately than most gemstones. Wipe pearls with a slightly damp, soft cloth after wearing to remove perfume, makeup and skin oils. Do not soak pearls, do not use ultrasonic cleaners, and do not store them in airtight plastic for long periods. Pearls should be stored flat or separately in a soft pouch.
Aquamarine Care
Aquamarines can usually be cleaned with lukewarm water, mild detergent and a soft brush. Rinse well and dry with a soft cloth. Store aquamarine jewellery in a separate compartment to prevent scratches and wear to the setting.
Amethyst Care
Amethyst should be protected from excessive heat and long exposure to strong sunlight, as this can affect its colour over time. Clean with lukewarm soapy water and a soft cloth or brush, and avoid high temperatures and harsh cleaning methods.
Topaz Care
Topaz should be cleaned gently with warm water and a soft brush. Avoid heavy knocks and rough handling, as topaz can chip if struck. Store topaz jewellery away from harder stones and in a padded compartment or pouch.
Garnet Care
Garnets should be cleaned using lukewarm water, mild soap and a soft brush. Avoid prolonged heat and use extra care with stones that may contain fractures or inclusions. Hand cleaning is the safest option.
Peridot Care
Peridot is softer than many people expect and can be affected by chemicals, heat and sudden temperature changes. Clean with lukewarm water and a soft cloth or brush, and avoid acidic products and rough wear.
Turquoise Care
Turquoise is porous and needs gentle treatment. Wipe with a soft cloth and use mild soap sparingly if needed. Avoid chemical cleaners, perfumes, oils and soaking. Always dry thoroughly before putting turquoise jewellery away.
How to Store Gemstone Jewellery Properly
Correct storage is one of the easiest ways to protect gemstone jewellery. We recommend storing each item separately in a soft pouch, padded jewellery box compartment or fabric-lined case. This helps prevent scratches, chips and tangled chains. Pearls, opals and softer stones should never be left loose with harder gemstones such as diamonds.
When to Remove Gemstone Jewellery
- Swimming in chlorinated pools or salt water
- Using household cleaning products
- Going to the gym or playing sport
- Gardening or lifting heavy items
- Applying perfume, hairspray or lotions
- Showering or sleeping, especially with delicate pieces
When to Have Your Jewellery Professionally Checked
If you wear your gemstone ring, pendant, earrings or bracelet regularly, it is smart to have it professionally checked from time to time. A jeweller can inspect claws, settings, clasps and wear points before they become a bigger issue. This is especially important for engagement rings, heirloom pieces and jewellery worn every day.
FAQs About Gemstone Care
What is the safest way to clean gemstone jewellery at home?
The safest method for most gemstone jewellery is lukewarm water, a small amount of mild soap, and a very soft brush or cloth. Dry thoroughly before storing.
Can all gemstones be cleaned the same way?
No. Different gemstones have different levels of hardness, toughness and sensitivity. Emeralds, opals, pearls and turquoise need more delicate care than diamonds, sapphires and rubies.
Can I wear gemstone jewellery every day?
Some gemstones are better suited to daily wear than others. Diamonds, sapphires and rubies are generally more durable, while emeralds, opals, pearls and softer stones need more caution.
Should gemstone jewellery be stored separately?
Yes. Storing pieces separately helps prevent scratches, chips and unnecessary wear. This is especially important when mixing hard and soft gemstones in the same jewellery box.
When should I bring gemstone jewellery to a jeweller?
If a stone feels loose, the setting catches, the piece has been knocked, or it no longer looks secure, stop wearing it and have it inspected as soon as possible.
Looking After Your Jewellery with Robert Cliff Master Jewellers
Beautiful jewellery deserves proper care. If you would like your gemstone jewellery professionally checked, cleaned or repaired, our team is here to help. Visit our showrooms or contact us for expert advice on caring for engagement rings, dress rings, pendants, earrings and treasured heirloom pieces.
