How to Clean Emeralds

The emerald is actually a variety of beryl, a gemstone that has several different types including morganite and aquamarine. These beautiful green gemstones have been awing people with their brilliant shine since the days of the pharaohs. The emerald is the birthstone for May and a popular gem stone used in jewelry. Cleaning emeralds is very easy and requires more caution than effort. The rewards of cleaning and maintaining these precious gemstones speak for themselves.

Things You'll Need

• Dish soap Toothbrush Soft clean cloth

Instructions

1. Mix 1 tablespoon of dish soap to 1 quart of warm water in a bowl.

2. Set the emeralds in the bowl and allow them to soak for 2 to 3 minutes.

3. Gently scrub the emeralds with a toothbrush to remove any residual dirt and debris.

4. Place the emeralds on a soft dry clean cloth and gently pat them dry.

Tips & Warnings

• Do not attempt to clean emeralds in an ultrasonic cleaner.

• Emeralds cannot handle high temperatures so never put them in boiling water to clean them. Even hot tap water may be damaging to them.

References

• The Very Highest Quality Gemstone Information...

Resources

• Read this Article in Spanish