I’ve heard many ways on how to clean jewelry and gemstones. I’ve made it a habit to remove my rings & bracelets before lathering up to wash my hands.
I’m more worried about the chemicals on genuine stones than I am about the metals in my jewelry. It’s essential to treat all stones in a strand of beads or in your jewelry with special care. This is especially true with turquoise because it’s a relatively soft and porous stone. Be mindful of your turquoise, even if it’s been treated or stabilized, because cleaners with ammonia or baking soda can ruin the finish of a stabilized turquoise stone.
Common cleaning jewelry processes
Many jewelry manufacturers use abrasive polishing wheels, heated ovens, and ultrasonic baths while making jewelry. Since my career started in jewelry manufacturing, I can testify several stones were ruined in the process. My job was the procurement & inventory of diamonds, gemstones, and synthetic stones for all types of jewelry. My department reissued many stones because the original stone was broken, chipped, cracked, or discolored during one of the many processes during manufacturing. I was shocked by the careless waste of gemstones. It took years for mother nature to create a beautiful gem but a few moments to be destroyed in a manufacturing facility.
Simple, daily chores can harm your jewelry, such as doing dishes or applying sunscreen or lotion if you’re not careful. It’s easier to remove your jewelry first than to take that chance. Don’t allow soaps, lotions, or oils to contact your turquoise or gemstones directly.
Safe way to clean gemstones
I’ve mentioned a lot about what not to do and should probably tell you what to do. To clean your turquoise and/or gemstones, it’s best to use a very mild soap diluted in warm water. Using a soft cloth, gently wipe in a circular motion or dab the stone. Rinse with clean, tepid water and dry using a soft cotton cloth. Again, be gentle to avoid causing scratches.
Practice caution when storing your jewelry; it’s important not to allow the stones to be scratched against another piece of jewelry. It’s best not to wear jewelry while working out or doing manual labor. Stones can easily be broken or loosened or even fall out. Not to mention jewelry can get caught in equipment, causing harm.
I hope you find my advice helpful, and hopefully, this allows you to enjoy your jewelry for a lifetime.