How to care for jewelry made from natural stones?

It is very pleasant to receive jewelry with bright sapphires as a gift, because the sky-blue sparkling stone is one of the four most expensive and valuable minerals. However, over time, the shine of the gold and crystal edges gradually fades, which means it’s time to think about cleaning it.

It is not always convenient to turn to a jeweler for help, especially if you need to put on jewelry after just a few hours. But there is no need to panic, because for many centuries people have been cleaning their jewelry with the simplest home remedies. Let's see what we can do to restore your sapphires to their fantastic shine.

How to care for chrysoprase stone?

The main condition for caring for chrysoprase is to store it away from sunlight, since constant exposure to ultraviolet radiation can discolor the stone, making it faded and inconspicuous. Fortunately, this is easy to fix. It is enough just to wrap the mineral in a damp cloth for a while and let it soak in moisture.

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How to clean sapphire jewelry?

Cleaning sapphire is easy. To do this, just prepare a weak soap solution and rinse the stone in it for a couple of minutes. Then all that remains is to rinse with water and wipe with a soft cloth. For severe contamination, the effect of the soap solution should be enhanced with two drops of ammonia. Instead of soap, you can add washing powder to the solution, the effect will be about the same.

If you have missed regular cleaning a couple of times and your jewelry gets very dirty, you will also need a toothbrush. With its help, you can easily clean dirt from joints and other hard-to-reach places.

It is not advisable to clean corundum with ultrasound - a chemical reaction may begin between the composition used and small inclusions inside the stone. Ultrasonic baths are especially dangerous for stones with the effect of asterism. Since sapphire is not resistant to heat, steam cleaning is also not recommended.

When choosing a method for cleaning sapphire jewelry, you need to take into account the properties of the frame material.

If you have available funds, it is better to have your jewelry professionally cleaned at a jewelry workshop. In this case, the risk of damaging the product will be minimal.

Recommendations for proper cleaning

It is important to pay attention to the type of fastening of the insert: it can be glue or a clamp. In the first case, the product cannot be wetted, since this will cause the properties of the adhesive composition to be lost.

Attention! It is forbidden to use a needle to remove dirt, otherwise scratches will remain. You should use a cotton swab or a wooden toothpick with a small piece of cotton wool at the end.

When cleaning, you do not need to make sudden movements or press on the product. For best results, you should run the brush over the soap, although this method is only suitable for hard stones.

Special formulations

As an alternative to traditional methods, you can use cleaning pastes designed specifically for different types of gemstones.

"Aladdin"

A product designed specifically for cleaning gold is available in the form of a liquid and wipes. The composition includes ammonia and aromatic fragrances. Jewelry is cleaned with gentle movements and a special brush. The result is visible within 20 minutes.

Isedol

The liquid returns shine not only to mirrors and expensive picture frames, but also to gold and jewelry.

Liquid for lenses

This substance also finds its use in jewelry. Thanks to the right chemical compounds, it has a gentle effect on gold, purifying it. To get the desired result, the decoration must be soaked in liquid overnight.

"GOI"

This product removes dirt, dust, blackness, and returns the diamond shine to the stones. Delicate polishing with paste removes small scratches from gold. After the procedure, a thin fatty coating remains on the stones. Alcohol is used to remove it.

Dentifrice

It removes dirt quickly and efficiently. Just do not use bleaching compounds, they give the precious metal an unwanted dullness. Apply tooth powder to a soft brush or flannel cloth, and then gently work on your favorite piece of jewelry.

Professional care.

If your sapphire is of high quality, it makes sense to have it cleaned and inspected once or more a year. Most jewelers will provide this service free of charge if you purchased the item from them.

Typically, they will use an ultrasonic or steam method, which can damage the sapphire if it has significant inclusions, so make sure the jeweler inspects your stone thoroughly first.

The jeweler can also fix loose prongs or address any other setting issues so you can be confident that your sapphire is safe and protected while you wear it daily.

Why gold darkens and loses its shine. Techniques for cleaning gold jewelry

If the appearance of jewelry deteriorates, you should immediately pay attention to the likely factors contributing to its darkening. This will stop the development of negative processes in the structure and surface of materials.

Blackened gold chain with a cross
Reasons for darkening of gold jewelry:

• secretion of sebaceous and sweat glands: biological fluids may contain components that interact with metal;
• contact with substances that tap water contains;
• use of cosmetics, perfumes;
• applying special compounds to jewelry to improve properties during pre-sale preparation;
• low quality metal: the content of additives is too high, these components react with oxygen, and a patina is formed.

Emerald

Emerald is a green stone, a type of beryl. It is included in the first category of precious stones along with rubies, diamonds and sapphires. The hardness of the stone is 7.5-8 units on the Mohs scale, which is almost as good as diamond. Transparent stones are considered the highest quality, but they are rare. The most common minerals found are turbid minerals with inclusions and cracks. Cracks significantly reduce the price of an emerald, but it is they that indicate the naturalness of the stone. Synthetic emerald has no cracks at all and is significantly inferior in brilliance to natural stone. Only a specialist can determine the imitation of an emerald. Emerald can be divided into several color groups (dark green, medium dark green, medium green, medium light green, light green) and three stone purity groups (G1, G2, G3). The brighter and more saturated the color of the stone, the higher it will be valued. Emerald has been known since ancient times. It was Cleopatra’s favorite stone; it was used to decorate the ancient tombs of the pharaohs. Emeralds are also mentioned in the Bible. Emerald has always been considered a strong amulet. A ring with an emerald protects newlyweds and pregnant women, and is considered the patron saint of poets and travelers. In Ancient Rus' they believed that emerald was a stone of hope, wisdom and composure. Emerald attracts wealth and gives peace to the one who wears it. Emerald is ideal for people of a creative profession; it will emphasize the depth of thinking and inner beauty of a person who has achieved spiritual perfection. Emerald has a beneficial effect on Aries, Sagittarius, Pisces, Virgo, Cancer. Emerald is a stone that cannot withstand shock, pressure and high temperature. It is prone to chipping and is easily deformed. Therefore, it is recommended to remove a ring with an emerald during housework, as the stone may deteriorate. Previously, people believed that emerald brought misfortune and suffering to insincere people, it began to crumble and become covered with cracks. Emerald has healing properties. If worn in gold, the positive energy of the stone will relieve contagious ailments and insomnia. Emerald protects from evil spirits, strengthens the heart, stabilizes blood pressure, and helps in the treatment of diabetes. Framed in silver, the emerald endows a person with magical abilities. “Magic of Gold” invites you to familiarize yourself with the collection of jewelry with emeralds. Emerald looks great in both red and white gold, in combination with diamonds, cubic zirconia, or as an independent insert into jewelry

General information about chrysolite

Due to its amazing beauty and aristocracy, the mineral is called the “evening emerald”. If we look at products with gemstones under artificial lighting conditions, they lose their yellow tint, changing it to green, and really begin to look very much like a natural emerald.

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The famous representative of the group of giant chrysolites with a rich olive green color is a historical landmark, and is stored in the Diamond Fund (Russian Federation).

How to remove heavy stains?

If the jewelry is very dirty or has not been cleaned for a long time, it is unlikely that you will be able to remove all the dirt with a regular solution of liquid soap. In this case, it is necessary to prepare a solution from:

• liquid detergent;
• ammonia;
• hydrogen peroxide,

taken in equal shares. Dip the jewelry in this solution for five minutes, then remove and rinse under running water using a soft brush. Remove any remaining water with a soft cloth.

If jewelry with sapphires is stained with grease, the easiest way to remove the deposits is to wash it with gasoline. Dampen a soft brush with gasoline and carefully work the product on all sides.

How many rings to wear?

If you prefer to combine several pieces of jewelry, consider a sapphire ring first. A large sapphire looks great alone without much effort.

If possible, wear the ring on the ring finger of your right hand. If it is medium in size, choose the second one smaller.

A stunning choice would be semi-precious opal; its opaque, iridescent and slightly marbled appearance will pair beautifully with the contrasting crisp and deep blue of a sapphire.

A small emerald will also harmonize well with a sapphire; green and blue are both cool colors.

For a two-tone blue effect, blue topaz and sapphire will play off each other and the blue look will be quite attractive.

Try to wear only one additional ring next to the sapphire, otherwise its exciting flair will be lost in too many surrounding products.

Regardless of the jewelry style you choose, an eye-catching, rich, royal blue sapphire will add elegance to any ensemble in your wardrobe.

INTERESTING FACTS

• On the island of Ceylon there is a legend about the origin of sapphires: Mount Kailash was once the abode of the gods themselves, and everyone wanted to see the abode of eternal life and youth. Thousands of residents of the country came to the foot of the sacred mountain and began to pray to the gods for this. Hearing their prayers, the god Brahma took a wonderful cup of amrita (the elixir of immortality) and splashed the elixir over the whole world. Touching the ground, every drop of it turned into beautiful sapphires. Since then, all monks decorated themselves with “sprays of the sky” as a sign that they bear the seal of God himself.
• In India there is a belief that sapphire is capable of emitting “pranas” of goodness, so there the stone symbolizes friendship, selflessness and help.
• Buddhist legends say that at the celestial pole, under the light of the North Star, there is a high four-sided mountain made of precious stones. The side that faces the human world is lined with sapphires, which is why the sky we see is blue.
• Ancient Hebrew legends say that sapphire is a symbol of justice.
• It is known that John the Theologian in revelation describes precisely the sapphire penultimate step that leads to Heavenly Jerusalem.
• History also remembers the famous sapphire signet ring of the biblical King Solomon, with which he tamed the genies.

Storage.

Keep your sapphire pieces separate from other jewelry as they can easily scratch other stones and metals, or can be scratched themselves by any diamonds in your collection.

You can use small separate jewelry bags.

A jewelry box with separate compartments is also recommended for better organization and protection.

Proper storage will go a long way in keeping your items in good condition between cleanings.

Types and causes of pollution

Before you clean the stone on your ring, you need to determine the type of contamination. Most often, the jewelry gets dirty in the places where the stone is attached and the sample is printed.

Due to the fact that gold is a very soft and malleable metal, it is easily subject to deformation. To increase the strength of products, jewelers often use alloys of gold with silver or copper. In addition to increasing durability, foreign metals pose the risk of oxidation upon contact with another environment or skin.

The unattractive condition of gold jewelry also contributes to:

• sweat and fat discharge;
• cosmetics for face and hands;
• contact with household chemicals;
• environment.

Important! The sweat and fat secretions transfer to the stone, which significantly reduces the shine. When removing them, it is strictly forbidden to use abrasive liquids to clean silver.

Diamond (diamond)

diamond (diamond) is the king of stones, a symbol of color, brilliance, eternity.

Properties of a diamond (diamond) The mineral is transparent, translucent, with a strong shine, crystalline carbon. Color - colorless, gray, pale blue, pink, greenish, yellow, orange, brown to black, rarely red. Hardness - nothing can compare with it in terms of hardness, and therefore it is truly eternal. 10 on the Mohs scale. Having the greatest hardness among all gems, the jewelry diamond remained uncut for many centuries for this reason. Therefore, its inherent property was not known - the play of light, which reveals the true beauty of this stone. And only when craftsmen learned to process a diamond with a diamond (XVII century) did they discover the play of light of this stone, which made it the king of gems.

A cut diamond is called a brilliant (from the French word brilliant - sparkling). Valuing jewelry diamonds requires special knowledge and extensive experience. First of all, the color, clarity, perfection of cut and carat weight of the stone are taken into account. Cut diamonds, in which internal defects and inclusions are not visible under a magnifying glass with 10x magnification, are called “pure water.” The largest diamond deposit in Russia is located in Yakutia.

Famous diamonds (diamonds)

The most outstanding diamonds took their rightful places in royal and royal regalia, national museums, and some, the trace of which seemed to have disappeared, in private collections of precious stones. However, no one will ever say how many secrets have gone into oblivion along with their silent keepers. The world's largest diamond was found in southern Africa. This happened on January 25, 1905 at the Premier mine in the Pretoria region, Transvaal. The diamond was named "Cullinan" in honor of Sir Thomas Cullinan, the president of . The original weight of the stone was 3106 carats. The Cullinan II, Cullinan III and Cullinan IV diamonds are collectively known as the Little Stars of Africa. The total weight of 105 cut stones is 1063.75 carats, i.e. Almost 66% of the weight was lost during cutting. Other historical cut diamonds most famous abroad (weight in carats is indicated in brackets): “Pitt” or “Regent” (140.5), “Florentine” or “Tuscan” or “Austrian yellow” (137.27), “Tiffany” "(128.51), "Kohinoor" (108.93), "Sansi" (55.0), "Hope" (44.5), "Nassak" (43.38), "Green Dresden" (41. 0). The most famous Russian diamonds are “Orlov” - 189.62 carats and “Shah” - 88.7 carats. In 1773, the diamond, later named “Orlov,” was purchased in Amsterdam from the Armenian merchant Lazarev by Prince Grigory Grigorievich Orlov for 400 thousand rubles. Prince Orlov presented the stone to Empress Catherine II. Then “Orlov” was inserted into the upper part of the Sovereign scepter. The Shah Diamond was presented in 1829 by the Turkish Shah to Tsar Nicholas I as compensation for the murder of the Russian diplomat A.S. Griboedova.

Legends about the properties of diamonds Diamond is the most perfect creation of nature. The description of this stone always begins with the definition “most”: the most beautiful, the most brilliant, the most transparent, the hardest, the most expensive, the closest to a person in terms of strength of character and spirit. “Shards of Stars” - give their owner victory and success. This is a stone of happiness and prosperity. Luck will accompany you in everything if you are the owner of this stone. It’s very good if they give it to you. Symbolizes: firmness, courage, fearlessness, brilliance, high social position, light, joy. The effect of diamond on the physical body can be expressed in the word “strengthens.” Its strong vibrations affect various organs of the physical body - the heart, brain, skeletal system; it has a beneficial effect on blood circulation, eliminates congestion in the body, charges it with vigor and increases efficiency. There is great power in the diamond, as it is the first stone of the Zodiac. He begins the whole rhythm and in him, like in a drop of water, the entire Zodiac, a huge coiled energy, is reflected.

Astrology: Libra, Leo, Aries.

Caring for Diamonds Diamonds are hard, but very fragile and should be protected from accidental impacts and sudden changes in temperature.

Cleaning gold with soft stones

Typically, minerals are characterized by hardness; they can be soaked in water and cleaned with various compositions. But this approach is not applicable to soft stones. These include opal, coral, pearls, amber, turquoise, malachite, and serpentine.

When cleaning such jewelry, follow these guidelines:

1. Do not use brushes or other tools with stiff bristles. They will scratch the surface of the gem.
2. For the same reason, forget about abrasive compounds and toothpaste.
3. Do not use ammonia or other aggressive liquids, as they make the gems cloudy.
4. Soda, ammonia, and hydrogen peroxide destroy amber, malachite, and turquoise.
5. Lemon juice, vinegar and other acids corrode pearls. Mother of pearl is also afraid of heat and exposure to rough materials.
6. Pearls should be washed with clean water and wiped with a soft cloth.
7. Natural turquoise, opals and corals can be treated with alcohol, but cannot be washed in water.
8. Do not soak other soft stones for too long. You can quickly wash them with soapy water, then wipe them with a soft flannel cloth.
9. All gems in this group are suitable for dry cleaning with special wipes for the care of glasses.

Healing abilities of the mineral

In addition to its magical properties, the stone is also famous for its healing abilities, among which are:

• The main healing property of chrysolite is to improve the functioning of the nervous system. Thus, the gem will relieve its owner from anxiety, restlessness, help normalize sleep, successfully cope with insomnia, and eliminate nightmares. There are cases where the stone helped people heal from stuttering that arose due to fear or any other stressful situation;
• improves the functioning of the cardiovascular system;
• the mineral has a beneficial effect on the organs of vision. Moreover, it copes equally well with both myopia and farsightedness, and slows down the development of cataracts and glaucoma;
• the musculoskeletal system of the body is treated with the help of chrysolites;
• normalizes lung function and respiratory tract;
• Peridot will also help cure diseases of the stomach and kidneys; for this purpose, it is necessary to apply the mineral to the sore spot.

Sapphires and silver

Sapphires are durable by nature and therefore do not require special care. Being in different jewelry and metals as a frame, stones can have certain properties, which will depend on different nuances and the type of care for the metals. Silver jewelry requires special care as silver is considered a soft metal and is susceptible to change.

To restore the former shine and color to metal, it is important to properly care for and clean it.

First of all, you need to forget about the old advice that silver can be cleaned with soda, tooth powder or other abrasive substances. Such textures can only scratch the surface of the metal, damaging it and reducing its external and physical characteristics. Dirt, of course, will be erased from the surface of the jewelry, but along with it the polishing, which is important for the beauty and protection of the product, will disappear.

It is important to wear silver more often, so it will retain its lightness and shine more. But due to some factors, the metal may darken. This may be for the following reasons:

• High humidity. Silver does not like high levels of moisture in which it is stored, this has a detrimental effect on its appearance. Silver jewelry should be kept in a dry room in a box with soft walls.
• If the metal comes into contact with sulfur and its compounds. It is from this proximity that silver can darken most often. This can happen if you wear your jewelry constantly, even during household chores and cooking. Eggs, salt and onions can cause metal to darken.
• A change in the color of silver may also occur due to your personal characteristics of the body, the composition of sweat and sebum.

Many experts advise resorting to professional services of a master. This is the best way that will save your money and time and at the same time help maintain the beauty of the precious metal at a high level.

You can also use special cleaning products, which are freely available in any jewelry store. Their choice is wide - these can be special pastes, creams, wipes, liquids, polishes. For cleaning, it is best to use a soft flannel cloth or special material. The cream or polish is applied to the jewelry in a careful manner, without touching the stone itself, spread over the dirt and rubbed with a little pressure. If the cream gets on a mineral, it is better to wipe it off with a cloth without using sharp objects.

To quickly remove dirt, reusable cleaning wipes are suitable, which are easy to use, especially when traveling. They are not suitable for heavy dirt. Special liquids can handle them, but you need to act carefully here, since such products can damage soft stones if they come into contact with them.

If you can’t buy special products, you can use a soapy solution, soak your jewelry in it for 10-15 minutes, then rinse, dry and wipe with a soft, lint-free cloth. You can add a little ammonia to the soap solution at a rate of 1000:10 (that is, 1 tablespoon of alcohol per liter of water).

You can also clean the product with alcohol alone by soaking the jewelry in a solution of water and alcohol for 20 minutes, then rinsing and drying with a soft cloth. But you cannot use alcohol if your product is coated with rhodium, enamel, or made of gold-plated or blackened silver. For this case, you will have to use a simple soft cloth or the services of a specialist.

Stones that went down in history

Peridot beads were worn by the ancient Egyptians - archaeologists have found this out. That is, the gem has been known to people for at least four thousand years.

A famous chrysolite artifact is a lens belonging to the dictator of Ancient Rome, Nero. Through the green glass he contemplated the torment of the first Christians, gladiatorial battles and the burning of Rome with his own hands. It was long mistaken for an emerald, but modern analysis has shown that the stone was chrysolite.

The gem was believed to ward off dark forces, which is why the church uses it. Since the Middle Ages in Europe, it has been used to decorate the robes of priests, and in Rus' - the frames of icons (for example, “Trinity” by Andrei Rublev).

Jewelry with peridot

Like any green mineral, the Muslim world attached special importance to chrysolite. The turbans of the sultans were decorated with large specimens, and thrones with smaller stones. The pride of Istanbul is the gilded throne from Topkapi, decorated with almost a thousand chrysolites. This is a gift to the ruler of the Ottoman Empire, Murad III (16th century).

The mineral was valued by the great Carl Faberge. In the products of his authorship, chrysolite imitates leaves. The world color trendsetter, the Pantone Color Institute, recognized Greenery as the color of 2022.

How to spot a fake

The cost of peridot is not prohibitive, but it is faked.

Beads made of natural chrysolite

The properties of natural stone help to identify a fake:

• the stone is painted evenly, the fake has visible transitions from color to color;
• the fake does not change shade under different lighting conditions;
• It is difficult to scratch a mineral, unlike imitation glass or plastic;
• The stone takes a long time to heat up in your hands, the fake is quick.

A reliable marker is the size of the jewelry insert. If the tag says it weighs more than three carats, but the stone is offered at a “bargain” price, it is a fake.

Magical properties of chrysolite and meaning for humans

First of all, it is necessary to mention such a property of the stone as fidelity. The mineral will serve exclusively one person! This is precisely the explanation for the mystery of why gems that are often inherited or purchased, for example, at a pawn shop, do not have any magical or healing effect.

And even more - in the case when the stone got to its owner as a result of dishonest machinations, it will bring many different problems to his head.

Chrysolite also does not tolerate loneliness - therefore it cannot be hidden in a box for a long time, but you must wear items with it from time to time or at least hold them in your hands for some time to preserve its magical qualities.

The gem loves most of all young and energetic people, as well as those who have an active lifestyle. It will help you achieve your planned goals, act as an additional source of vitality, and clear your mind to make it easier to find the right solution in a difficult situation.

• Young couples who are still at the stage of grinding into each other can count on the help of chrysolite: the stone will eliminate unnecessary aggressiveness, add prudence and restraint.
• There is an opinion that chrysolite successfully treats men's health and strength.
• It is very good if you have a chrysolite figurine in your home - it will attract good luck to it. But it is very important not to run into a fake instead of a natural stone.
• Representatives of the Zodiac sign Leo are recommended to give chrysolite figurines of these animals. They will bring success to their owner, and will also be able to protect against rash actions.
• According to an ancient belief, the stone has amazing properties - it can protect a home from fire and people from burns.
• You can count on the help of the gem to all those who suffer from depression and melancholy - it will return the lost joy of life.
• The stone will be an excellent talisman for any new beginnings, will contribute to the successful conduct of business and the elimination of all obstacles in the path of its owner.
• Peridot also cleanses the human energy body, because thanks to its high vibrations it promotes the combustion of any negative energy that we come into contact with in our lives from time to time.
• The mineral is used for rituals designed to increase the attractiveness of men in the eyes of women and vice versa.
• The gem also acts as an excellent talisman that attracts good luck, improves well-being and plays a protective role.

Jewelry classification of mineral

Experts classify chrysolite as a 4th row gemstone, that is, actually semi-precious.

Almost all the stones are no larger than three carats; their color resembles watercolors and seems “diluted.” Larger, densely colored specimens are rare and highly prized.

Translated from ancient Greek, “peridot” means “golden stone”. The mineral has other names. In Europe it is known as olivine, among professionals - peridot. Another term is green pomegranate.

Peridot stone

The main feature of peridot is the ability to change shade in different lighting conditions. With candles or dim light, the yellowishness disappears, and the stone becomes like an emerald. For this reason, it is loved by jewelers, designers and people who want to stand out from the crowd. Aesthetes dubbed peridot the “evening emerald.”