How to Care for Emeralds

Emeralds are beautiful green gemstones that can vary in color intensity, size and clarity. In a piece of jewelry, the emerald can be a dramatic, focal statement or a colorful accent stone. Caring for emeralds properly will help ensure that they maintain their brilliance for many years to come.

Instructions

1. Check that emerald gemstones are secure in jewelry settings; verify that each stone does not shift when touched. Have your jewelry checked by an industry professional on a routine basis.

2. Determine if your emerald has been "oiled" by consulting a jeweler for an evaluation. Certified oiling is a standard practice in the jewelry industry that increases an emerald's brilliance. However, additional care is required for cleaning such a stone.

3. Clean your oiled emeralds properly. Do not use common jewelry-cleaning products, as these can harm your emeralds. Instead, create a mild cleansing solvent, such as a drop of dish-washing liquid with warm water, in a bucket. Soak emeralds for five minutes and gently clean grooves with a soft-bristled paint brush. Dip in a clean bucket of warm water and pat dry with a cotton cloth. (Rub gold and silver with a polishing cloth if necessary.)

4. Wear your emeralds with care. Emeralds are softer and less durable than other gemstones--such as rubies and diamonds--and can be easily scratched and dented. Only wear emerald jewelry when you're not engaging in strenuous physical activity.

5. Store emeralds correctly. Wrap clean emerald gemstones in a soft jewelry bag. Protect your emeralds from potential scratches by separating hard gemstones from soft varieties; an emerald should never be stored with diamonds, rubies, sapphires or topaz.

Tips & Warnings

• Never clean oiled emeralds with jewelry-cleaning products marketed as organic, ultrasonic, steam, acetone or petroleum distillates. Do not soak your emeralds in warm water for longer than five minutes. Remove emerald rings and bracelets before doing the dishes or cleaning the house, as water and chemical exposure can adversely affect emerald brilliance. Do not clean emeralds over an open sink or drain. Instead, use a bucket to avoid a potential accident.

References

• The International Gem Society Reference Library
• Mineral and Gemstone Kingdom