Gem Care Guide

Gemstones last lifetimes with a little care. Here's how to keep yours looking its best, especially under the Australian sun.

Cleaning

• Use warm water, a drop of mild dish soap and a soft toothbrush. Rinse well and pat dry with a lint-free cloth.
• Avoid harsh chemicals, bleach and household cleaners.
• Skip ultrasonic and steam cleaners for topaz, and check with a jeweller before using them on any stone.

Sunlight and heat

• Amethyst and citrine can slowly fade with long, strong sun exposure. Don't leave them on a windowsill or the car dashboard.
• Avoid sudden temperature changes, like going straight from a hot car into cold water.

Beach, pool and everyday wear

• Take jewellery off before swimming. Chlorine, salt water and sunscreen can dull stones and wear down settings.
• Put rings and pendants on after sunscreen, perfume and moisturiser, not before.
• Topaz is hard but can chip or split if knocked at the wrong angle, so take rings off for gym, gardening and heavy work.

Storage

• Store each stone separately in a soft pouch or its own box. Harder gems can scratch softer ones.