How to Clean Carnelian Jewelry

A piece of jewelry can add instant flair to any outfit. Often, jewelry is set with precious and semi-precious stones to add color to the metal surroundings. One such stone is carnelian, which is a form of quartz. Red in color, it is often used as an engraving platform to make pieces such as cameos. If you have a piece of carnelian jewelry that needs to be cleaned, you can do so safely.

Things You'll Need

• Mild detergent
• Water
• Bowl
• Toothbrush
• Polishing cloth

Instructions

1. Fill a bowl large enough to accommodate your carnelian jewelry with warm water.

2. Squeeze a few drops of mild detergent into the water, such as dish soap. Swish around to create a foam.

3. Drop the jewelry carefully into the water and allow to soak for about five minutes.

4. Pull out the jewelry and scrub all surfaces gently with a soft-bristled toothbrush. Focus on the area around the setting where the metal prongs hold in the carnelian stone, as this is where dirt tends to collect.

5. Rinse the jewelry under running water and dry it thoroughly with a polishing cloth.

References

• Jewelry Central: Carnelian
• Figis: Gemstone Guide