Gemstones are beautiful. They can be fun and showy, or they can be understated and elegant. They’re also a great investment because of their value, but there’s one thing gemstones are not completely immune to damage. Loose gemstones can get damaged if they’re exposed to certain things and even if you take precautions, sometimes accidents happen! 

If you’re like me, you may have some jewelry containing gemstones taking up space in your jewelry box or drawer. But do you know what kind of care these precious stones require? In this article, we’ll go over numerous ways you might be putting your gemstone jewelry at risk and solutions on how to avoid them!

6 ways you’re putting your Gemstone Jewelry at Risk 

Heat

Heat is the enemy of gemstones. You should never leave your jewelry in the sun or in a hot car. It’s also best not to leave it in saunas or hot tubs, although if you’re swimming with your jewelry on, there are some precautions you can take to protect it from damage. Don’t use a blow dryer on your gemstone jewelry, this will cause heat damage and further weaken the stone’s structure over time. 

Chemicals & Pressure

Don’t wear your gemstone jewelry while cleaning (again, avoid high heat and chemicals for obvious reasons). Avoid wearing gemstone jewelry when doing strenuous physical activity. Moreover, don’t wear gemstone jewelry while sleeping.

The second way you’re putting your gemstone jewelry at risk is by exposing it to chemicals like bleach or ammonia-based cleaners, even those found in household cleaners! These chemicals can damage the enamel that protects the stone itself, so if you do use them on any part of your jewelry (for example: cleaning sterling silver links), make sure they are rinsed thoroughly before being worn again.

Moisture

Water is one of the biggest threats to gemstone jewelry. You should avoid contact with water, especially hot or boiling water. This includes swimming pools and hot tubs, as well as steamy showers and bathtubs. You also need to be careful when washing your hands around your gemstones, as soap can cause them to lose their luster over time.

Creams & Oils

Other things that could destroy your gems include lotions and oils applied directly onto the skin, perfumes and hairspray, sweat from workout sessions, and even water bottles full of chlorinated liquid! If possible avoid these situations altogether until after you’ve taken off all traces of activewear by wiping down any exposed surfaces with a damp cloth or paper towel before storing them away safely overnight (or longer).

Outdoor Activities

Don’t wear your jewelry when playing sports or outdoor activities like hiking or gardening, which can cause it to get damaged by dirt and other elements in nature such as wind and rain; these things can also dull the finish on gemstones like polki diamonds if they rub against them too much during playtime outside.

Electronics

Don’t store your gemstones near electronics like laptops or tablets because these items emit electromagnetic radiation that can damage certain types of stones over time (and possibly cause them to fall out). They also put off heat which can damage your gemstone jewelry.

What are the Solutions to Avoid Risk?

Gemstones are fragile, and oftentimes sensitive to heat, chemicals, pressure, moisture, radiation, and hardness. That makes them particularly vulnerable to damage when not handled carefully. To keep your gemstone jewelry in good shape:

Use a soft cloth to clean. If you use chemicals, you could damage the stone and its setting.

Avoid wearing jewelry when working with harsh chemicals, such as cleaning products or chlorine. This can also include activities like swimming and gardening, which can expose gemstones to moisture or chemicals that could damage them over time.

Store them in a safe place (like a jewelry box) where they won’t get knocked around or exposed to extreme temperatures or conditions.

Clean them by hand using warm water and mild soap before storing them away again. As with any piece of fine jewelry that contains stones, even if they’re synthetic! It’s always best if you take it into a jeweler’s shop for cleaning at least once per year (more often if you wear the piece frequently).

Also Read More: 4 Analogue Watches perfect for The Wedding Season