Gemstone Care Guide

Gemstone Care

All fine jewelry must be handled and worn with thoughtful consideration. Taking a few extra moments to clean and care for your gemstone jewelry can make a world of difference in its appearance and longevity.

View Zoara's colorful collection of Gemstone Jewelry.

Be Mindful

The first way to care for your gemstones and gemstone jewelry is to wear it mindfully. Your jewelry should be the last thing you put on: always put on your gemstone jewelry after applying hairspray, perfume and cosmetics. Check settings and clasps before you put your jewelry on to make sure that they are strong and secure. Zoara suggests that you avoid wearing your gemstone jewelry in situations where it may be exposed to rough surfaces, extreme temperatures, harsh chemicals or severe impacts.

Store Carefully

After wearing your gemstone jewelry, Zoara recommends that you wipe each item with a clean, soft, damp cloth to remove any dirt, dust or oil. To protect your gemstone jewelry from scratching against other jewelry items, always store it in an individual case, or wrap each item in a soft cloth before stowing it away. Never place diamond jewelry in the same pouch as gemstone jewelry, as diamonds can easily scratch or scuff their surfaces.

Clean Regularly

Cleaning your gemstone jewelry frequently is the most effective way to keep it sparkling like new. However, not all gemstones may be cleaned in the same way. Even simple soap-water soaks can be harmful to certain gemstones. Because there is such a wide variety of gemstones, it is important to be aware of the most effective care and cleaning methods for each stone or mineral. Some stones are sensitive to certain chemicals and conditions; others are vulnerable to heat or cold. When buying a commercial jewelry cleaner, read the label carefully to ensure that it is formulated for your specific gemstone. Please refer to the chart below before exposing your gemstones to any cleaning materials.

Zoara also recommends you have your gemstone jewelry professionally cleaned once a year. An experienced jeweler will check your settings, mountings and clasps. Pearl necklaces and bead necklaces should also be restrung every one to two years. Always request that the strand be knotted between each bead or pearl to protect them against slippage or scratching.