99Forum - Discussion Forums - Message Board Forum

Gemstone tips

The hardness of a gemstone is measured based on a standard called the Mohs scale. The higher the Mohs scale number, the harder the stone is. Stones that have Mohs hardness less than 7 are highly subjective to scratching. Here are certain tips to keep your precious gemstone jewelry in good condition for a long time.

* Handle the gemstones carefully especially when attempting to clean or removing the dust. Use a soft lint free cloth to remove dust particles from your gemstone.
* While cleaning non-porous gemstones, wash them with a weak solution of ammonia, rinsing with lukewarm water. Dry it with a soft cloth later.
* Do not expose gemstone jewelry to high temperatures.
* Avoid exposing gem stone jewelry to salt water and chlorine or other harsh chemicals. These chemicals and detergents can harm the stones and may ruin the stone's finish.
* Store your gemstones in a divided jewel box or soft pouch so that it doesn't touch other jewels.
* Never wear your jewelry while doing rough work.
* Hair spray, perfume and perspiration may cause jewelry to become dull. Apply all cosmetics, perfumes and colognes before putting on colored gemstone jewelry. Wipe clean your gemstones after wear to remove any chemicals, oils or perspiration

A gemstone or gem, also called a precious or semi-precious stone, is a piece of attractive mineral, which can be made into beautiful jewelry or other adornments by cutting and polishing. A gemstone or gem (also called a precious or semi-precious stone, or jewel) is a piece of attractive mineral, which—when cut and polished—is used to make jewelry or other adornments. However certain rocks, (such as lapis lazuli) and organic materials (such as amber or jet) are not minerals, but are still used for jewelry, and are therefore often considered to be gemstones as well. Most gemstones are hard, but some soft minerals are used in jewelry because of their lustre or other physical properties that have aesthetic value. Rarity is another characteristic that lends value to a gemstone. Apart from jewelry, from earliest antiquity until the 19th century engraved gems and hard stone carvings such as cups were major luxury art forms; the carvings of Carl Faberge were the last significant works in this tradition.