How to clean topaz at home, why topaz becomes cloudy

Jewelry with topaz looks very beautiful, which is why it is very popular among jewelry lovers. But, unfortunately, the beauty of these stones begins to fade over time due to many reasons that the unlucky owners may not be aware of until they have to deal with the deterioration of the appearance of the stone. It may fade, losing its former shine, become cloudy or fade. If you have jewelry with this mineral, it will be very useful to learn how to clean topaz at home. In most cases, this helps restore it to its former attractiveness and beauty. About the origin, use and colors of topaz →

Why does a stone lose its appearance?

The main reasons why a stone stops shining are bright sunlight and ordinary running water. Also, temperature changes contribute to the deterioration of the appearance of the mineral. It should be noted that London topaz should be especially protected from these factors, because its wonderful color is created artificially.

It is precisely because sunlight is destructive to topaz that it is recommended to wear jewelry with it in the evening. Owners often ask why the stone has become cloudy. The answer is simple: as a result of a sharp temperature change (for example, when leaving a warm car into a cold one), microscopic cracks can form in it, disrupting its structure, so it becomes cloudy.

Impregnations with color development

We can recommend the best water repellents in terms of price/quality ratio: AGER or EASYWET, TENAX companies (Italy). They are the easiest to apply and further use. The more solvents, the deeper the penetration into the stone and, accordingly, the stronger the effect. The difference between the products, besides the cost, is in the content of solvents, AGER is stronger and therefore more expensive, EASYWET is weaker, but more economical.

The water repellent will not add shine to the surface, and, in fact, will not remove the scratch, but there is one secret. It consists in the fact that the color of the scratch on the stone is white, and given that polishing reveals the color of the stone, the scratch on the polishing will become less noticeable, it will look like it has been polished. At the same time, the stone continues to “breathe”!

The advantage of AGER is that it greatly simplifies daily cleaning! Hydrophobizing particles prevent moisture, dyes, and fats from penetrating into the stone. But even with a protective layer applied, it is better not to delay the contamination on the stone and remove it as quickly as possible: sooner or later the contamination will still seep through the protective layer. The time it takes for the stain to form will depend on the porosity of the stone and the water repellent chosen.

In addition to restoring the appearance, we recommend using water repellents after installing the stone and at regular intervals, once every 1-2 years.

How not to clean topaz

Before you clean topaz at home, you should know what you should never do with topaz:

It is not allowed to use cleaning products that contain abrasives to avoid scratching the stone.
Do not try to return topaz to its original color by exposing it to high temperatures and ultrasound.
If the stone in the jewelry is attached with glue , do not allow water to get into the product.
If the cleaning product contains chlorine , do not use it for cleaning because chlorine atoms tend to change the color of the mineral.
When washing products, it is recommended to use distilled or filtered water , because ordinary water also contains chlorine.

Other cleaning methods

If home methods do not inspire confidence, use ready-made cleaning products. Cleaning agent compositions have been developed for various frame materials and gemstones, including topaz.

Even advanced products contain chemicals, so you should read the instructions before use. It doesn’t hurt to wear a mask and rubber gloves to prevent damage to the respiratory tract and skin of your hands.

The simplest, safest, but most expensive way is the services of a specialist. People turn to him to clean the topaz stone in problematic cases and for a “general wash” every six months to a year. Professional cleaning radically renews your jewelry.

The specialist will recommend a suitable remedy for more frequent preventive procedures and give recommendations on the care of jewelry.

How to clean topaz in a silver setting

Cleaning topaz in a silver setting is not particularly difficult. As already mentioned, do not use products that may contain high concentrations of chemicals that are harmful to the mineral.

Toothpaste

The first and most popular way to easily remove small traces of dirt and “revive” dull stones is to use regular toothpaste. First you need to wet the jewelry with cold water and then clean it with a small amount of paste. It is better to use an old and soft brush.

The procedure should last several minutes. After this, the decoration is washed again in water. It is important that the time during which the stone is in contact with water is minimal.

Vinegar

The second way to clean topaz set in silver is to prepare a solution of wine vinegar. Remember that you cannot use other types of vinegar essence.

Prepare a solution by filling a small container with warm water and adding five to eight drops of wine vinegar per 250 ml of water. Immerse the item in it for 30 minutes, and then quickly rinse with the same warm water and polish the topaz using a piece of soft cloth. Lightly wet the fabric with alcohol.

Special means

The third method is the simplest option, but the most costly in financial terms, unlike the first two. This is the use of special pastes for cleaning jewelry. Such remedies are not cheap, so the tried and tested home methods mentioned earlier can be safely used, and the effect will be the same.

WHY DOES TOPAZ TURN CLEAR?

Various colors of stones are usually obtained under artificial conditions.

As a result of processing, the gem becomes sensitive to external influences.

When worn, jewelry tends to become dirty, lose its luster, and become cloudy. If you find out why topaz becomes cloudy, there will be no problems with cleaning.

Causes of cloudiness:

Topaz becomes cloudy with prolonged and regular contact with tap water that contains chlorine.
In the sun, stones turn pale and fade over time. That is why jewelry is recommended to be worn mainly in evening dresses.
Due to sudden temperature changes, small cracks appear on the mineral, so the jewelry takes on a cloudy appearance.

You should be especially careful when wearing jewelry with blue tones.

Topaz

Restoring color

During use, jewelry gradually loses color and shine.

An attractive appearance can be restored at home in several ways, using improvised means or a special paste.

Ammonia

Using a solution of ammonia (ammonia) you can restore faded jewelry to its original appearance.

Add 8 drops of ammonia and a third of a teaspoon of salt to 50 ml of cold water.
The decoration is immersed in the resulting solution for 5 minutes.
Take it out and rub it with a suede cloth.

Potato

You can restore the shine of stones using raw potatoes.

You will need to peel several potatoes, chop them finely and pour boiling water over them.
After 30 minutes, the decoration is immersed in a container with potatoes for 1 hour.
After an hour, the product is taken out, allowed to dry and rubbed with a soft cloth.

Ammonia

Onion

There are several ways to cleanse minerals with onion juice:

A cotton pad is soaked in onion juice, rubbed on the decoration and left for 2 hours.
Pour enough onion juice into the container so that the decoration is completely immersed in it and leave for 45 minutes.

We recommend: BLACK OPAL - the beauty and deceit of a gem

After these procedures, the gem is washed with cold water, dried and wiped with a cloth.

How to clean topaz in a gold setting

How to clean gold? Fill the container with warm water and make a solution by adding a little liquid soap (a few drops will be enough). It is better if the soap is for children, because its chemical composition is less aggressive than others.

Add a little ammonia to the solution and immerse the jewelry in it for an hour or a little less, maybe 40 minutes. After this, you will need to quickly rinse it in clean water and dry it with a soft piece of cloth.

How to revive clouded amber

Cloudy beads and inserts can be cleaned of plaque using different methods. Cleaning methods depend on the cause and degree of cloudiness.

Dustiness

Even a box cannot save amber from dust. If it starts to become cloudy, simply wash it off:

The container is filled with boiled or filtered water and ice is added.
The decoration is left in the water for 5–7 hours or until the morning.
Take it out and blot it with a soft flannel napkin.

The container is chosen so that the jewelry is placed in one layer.

Oil

Each pebble is treated with a napkin soaked in olive oil (almond oil is also suitable). You don’t need to take a lot so as not to get it into the gaps between the gem and the frame or other recesses. Remaining oil will collect dust and dirt. When absorbed, polish. Oil levels out minor scratches.

Salt

To make amber shine, using salt is effective. The decorations are left in the solution (27–30 g of salt per 210–230 ml of boiled warm water) for 15–25 minutes. Dry on cloth. Polish with a woolen cloth and rub with oil.

Paraffin powder

For amber that has become very cloudy, use a mixture of paraffin and baby tooth powder. Paraffin is rubbed on a grater or rubbed on a cloth, and powder is poured on top.

Knead the mixed components until smooth:

coat the stone;
polish the surface;
the remaining mixture is removed with a napkin;
rub with a dry cloth.

The method is applicable for removing heavy stains, smoothing large scratches, and filling cracks on the surface of amber.

Soap

Children's or soft varieties are suitable. The order is as follows:

Prepare a solution: a tablespoon of crushed soap or 27–35 g of gel per about a liter of warm water.
The product is immersed for several minutes.
Each insert or bead is wiped with a damp cloth.

This method is used as a last resort.

Ammonia

Heavily contaminated items are left in a weak solution of ammonia (9–12 drops per 210–230 ml of water) for 5–8 minutes

Rinse thoroughly and wipe with a soft cloth. Ammonia is used rarely and carefully

Is it possible to restore the color of topaz yourself?

It happens that the owner of a piece of jewelry suddenly discovers that the appearance of the stone has changed dramatically. It not only faded, but became so cloudy that its color became dirty and dull. As you know, topazes of virtually any color can be purchased on the jewelry market, and many of them have undergone artificial processing before sale. For example, bright red or bright green topaz, which is very shiny and immediately catches the eye, is definitely a synthetic product that will become cloudy and dull over time.

Unfortunately, there is no way to correct the defect of a clouded stone, which not so long ago attracted the buyer’s eye with its bright color and artificial beauty. Therefore, you should think in advance that you should not buy topazes that are too bright. It is no longer possible to restore their former color, and they lose it very quickly.

If natural blue topaz is regularly exposed to sunlight, it may also fade and cannot be restored to its original color.

However, when signs of cloudiness begin to appear on a stone that has rich shades of blue or blue, color restoration is possible here by a professional jeweler. In the same way, owners of minerals of pink, tea and yellow colors are lucky: they can be restored by repeated irradiation.

How to return color to a stone

Many people do not know what to do if the color of topaz has become cloudy. The situation is unpleasant, and in some cases this process is completely irreversible; the original color cannot be restored. When purchasing jewelry with this mineral, consider a few important points:

natural blue stones that have lost their color cannot be revived; the shade is not restored;
purple and green specimens are budget analogues of jewelry; they also gradually lose color saturation and are not restored;
Yellow specimens are obtained by irradiation in the laboratory, so the original color can be returned; the jeweler can repeat the procedure using professional equipment.

The jeweler can restore the richness of blue and dark blue shades; these colors are also imitation, so they can be adjusted.

How to restore shine?

When topazes shine brightly, they always bring joy to their owners, but the shine of the stone can also be lost. Fortunately, this is not fatal and can be corrected by applying simple methods.

The first recipe for restoring the shine of a mineral: simply boil three small potatoes, after peeling them and chopping them into cubes. Leave for twenty minutes, and then place the product with topaz in this liquid and keep there for an hour. After this, rinse with water, dry and polish with a piece of soft cloth. You can also dip the decoration in the onion solution using fresh onion juice. After “holding” for 40 minutes, also rinse the product in water and dry.

For those who cannot tolerate onion juice and do not really trust potato broth, you can offer a mixture of 10 milliliters of ammonia and a level teaspoon of salt in a ratio of one-third of a glass of purified or distilled water. The decoration should be immersed in water only after the salt crystals have completely dissolved. After this, you should quickly rinse it in clean water and dry it.

General recommendations

Topaz is a gem that belongs to the hard minerals, second only to diamond and corundum in this indicator. However, it is susceptible to many chemicals and thermal effects. Blue-blue stones require special care and careful handling.

Products with well-fixed stones are cleaned by immersion in the solution. Topazes glued to the frame are coated with a detergent and then dirt is removed.
Cleaning of the entire decoration is carried out in a container of suitable size. To process topaz in earrings or rings, it is enough to use a glass. For large items, such as a necklace or bracelet, wider dishes are needed - the item should be placed freely to ensure even access to the surface of cleaning substances.
For mechanical cleaning, use an old toothbrush, which has lost its original hardness and cannot damage the surface.
To prepare the solution, use only filtered drinking or distilled water. Chlorine is one of topaz’s worst enemies, even when dissolved in water.
Do not use sharp metal objects or abrasives that could scratch the stone. Cotton swabs and soft napkins will do.

Most often, topaz in a ring needs cleaning due to constant contact with foreign substances.

Most of the dirt accumulates at the junction of the insert and frame - these places require more thorough treatment.

How to care for topaz and wear it correctly

Unfortunately, some of the effects that topazes may undergo are irreversible. Therefore, when purchasing jewelry with them, you should know how to properly care for topaz.

Caring for a stone is very simple, the main thing is to follow a few simple recommendations, while being attentive and careful:

To prevent the stone from losing color, do not leave it in places where it may be exposed to direct sunlight .
After wearing, topaz should be put away in a tight bag or placed in a jewelry box. It's better if it's separate.
Do not allow cosmetics or medications with your jewelry .
Always remove products during water procedures .
Do not leave topazes for a long time in places with high humidity . For example, in the bathroom. It is better to remove the decoration from there immediately.
Once a month, clean your jewelry yourself using any known method.
Do not wear the product every day. Excessive light harms it. It is better to wear it in the evenings, in honor of some event. In addition, in soft evening lighting the stone looks much more advantageous.
Remember to remove your jewelry before cooking or cleaning .
Once every six months , try to visit a workshop for professional cleaning of stones .

Topaz is a stone that needs careful handling and good care. If you treat it with due attention, following all the necessary recommendations, it will delight the owner with its unique beauty for a long time. Of course, in order to avoid something irreparable in the form of the stone losing its color and purity, you will have to sacrifice the desire to wear it constantly. But what could be better than a product that lifts your spirits with its pristine beauty year after year? There is always an opportunity to preserve it, and at home too. True, sometimes you will have to work hard for this, but in response to care, the stone will always look beautiful.

Read also: how to clean a diamond at home →

Extending the beauty of topaz

When buying a gem, remember a few recommendations that will help you enjoy the shimmer of precious facets for many years:

Store jewelry in a soft box or a special bag.
Limit contact of topaz with creams, oils, and cosmetics.
Leave your decorations at home before going to the sea, swimming pool or sauna.
Leave topazes for evening looks; daylight destroys their color.

Remember that the stone is “afraid” of household chemicals; jewelry is not intended to be used for cooking, washing, or washing dishes.

Friends, now you have tips on how to restore the lost beauty of topaz with your own hands and prolong it for many years. Subscribe to updates, recommend the site to friends on social networks and share your impressions of the article in the comments. See you soon!

Team LyubiKamni

General rules of care

The Mohs scale determines the hardness of a mineral at 8 points out of 10. The stone is not susceptible to damage; it can only be scratched by a diamond or diamond. The most important thing when wearing a product with topaz is to preserve its color.

Any piece of jewelry will retain its shine longer if you care for it properly:

Topaz should be hidden from direct sunlight. It is advisable to purchase a special box for it.
The place to store jewelry should be dark, with a moderate level of humidity, stable temperature;
Cosmetics, medications, oils, creams, and detergents should not come into contact with the stone.

When going on vacation, it is preferable to leave jewelry at home. In addition to the risk that the jewelry may slip off the body, there is the possibility of the stone being negatively affected by water containing chlorine.

Accumulation of energy by stones

It is worth keeping in mind that you will never be able to experience the pristine purity of the stone you have become the owner of. If it was inherited, it passed through the hands of many generations. If you independently purchased jewelry in a store, then strangers took part in its creation, and the mineral became the owner of someone else’s information, and not always positive. Only a found gem can boast of natural purity. But such cases are isolated.

Most often, noble stones are objects of energy accumulation. Those minerals that are intended to be used for medicinal purposes must undergo complete purification. This is especially true for crystals that came to a new owner from deceased relatives or friends. Onyx is considered to be the most dangerous unrefined stone. As for citrine, it is enough for it to have proper and constant care or simply undergo regular cleaning with regularity.

Stones can be treated differently. You can love them and hate them, sometimes there is a cold attitude. But you need to remember one simple truth. If you want to have constant protection, an assistant, an adviser, then you need to find not only a common language with the stone, but also find inner harmony. There are several rules to follow:

Don’t think that the mineral will begin to work wonders the next day after it appears. In order for you to perceive his help, you need to get used to each other, complete mutual understanding. This is achieved after a certain period of time.
To obtain a positive effect in the future, it is necessary to clean the newly acquired stone. Why cleanse? Because during their existence on Earth, minerals absorb all the energy that is in close proximity to them. This could be the energy of the Sun, Moon, the planet itself, people who have been in contact with gems, and so on. To get rid of energy and information traces, it is necessary to clean them.
Once the cleaning is completed, the stone should be left to rest for a couple of weeks. During this time he rests and gains strength. The next step is charging it. The methods can be different: the light of the Moon or the Sun, herbs, salt, and so on.
You need to respect and love your talisman. This has a positive effect on his qualities. All gems need to be monitored, cared for, and regularly cleaned, the regularity of which depends on how you use your amulet. This could be simply wearing jewelry, performing medical procedures or magical rituals with his participation.
In situations where the stone turns pale, becomes heavier, or loses its shine and beauty, jewelry with it must be removed and left for a couple of days in a separate case, away from prying eyes.
If you do not want to lose the respect of your amulet, then try never to give it to anyone, even for a while. This is fraught with negative consequences after returning. The most harmless thing is that the stone will stop helping you in life. But there are times when a stone is “offended” and begins to take revenge on its owner. This can lead to the development of chronic diseases in a person, fatigue, constant bad mood, and apathy. Luck turns away from him, and problems begin at work.
Cleaning and charging the mineral must be done independently, in a good mood and with bright thoughts.

What you should pay attention to? For possible changes in the stone. It can change shade, become dull, “lifeless,” heavy, and being near it leads to irritability, nervousness, hot temper, and recklessness

This suggests that your talisman is very tired and simply needs to be cleansed of accumulated negativity. Give him the opportunity to rest and regain lost strength in order to support you in the future and lead you out of dead-end situations.

General rules of care

Any piece of jewelry will retain its shine longer if you care for it properly:

Topaz should be hidden from direct sunlight. It is advisable to purchase a special box for it.
The place to store jewelry should be dark, with a moderate level of humidity, stable temperature;
Cosmetics, medications, oils, creams, and detergents should not come into contact with the stone.

TOP 27 means and methods for cleaning copper at home

Concentration and communication.

Blue Topaz is an extremely important gemstone when it comes to mental energy.

Topaz, with its calming blue color, helps guide our thoughts to enhance concentration.

In some Hindi beliefs, including Vedic astrology, it is of great importance in helping spiritualists focus on important matters and meditate.

Wearing topaz can also help in effective communication.

This beautiful mineral is believed to help make speeches, present a new idea or express your emotions.

Rules for cleaning gold jewelry at home

The basic rule on how to clean your favorite gold items at home is to be careful when using aggressive chemicals and be careful with any mechanical impact. This is especially true for jewelry accessories with stones and fine filigree.

It should be remembered that any aqueous environment with the addition of chemical elements can have a detrimental effect on the surface of the stone inserted into a ring or pendant. Therefore, when choosing appropriate procedures to clean items, avoid direct contact between stone and water

This is especially true for jewelry accessories with stones and fine filigree. It should be remembered that any aqueous environment with the addition of chemical elements can have a detrimental effect on the surface of the stone inserted into a ring or pendant. Therefore, when choosing appropriate procedures to clean items, avoid direct contact between stone and water.

If the products you use at home do not give the desired effect, contact a jewelry workshop for help: he will know exactly how to clean jewelry.

When cleaning gold jewelry at home, consider the physical properties of the stone, whether it is hard or soft, and how it tolerates water and brushing. The best way is to clarify such characteristics in a jewelry store when purchasing a product.

With hard stones

Cleaning gold items with hard stones can be done using mechanical and chemical methods. These stones are scratch resistant and can withstand water well, so cleaning methods can be harsh.

How to clean:

Diamond (that is, the size of a diamond). Can be cleaned with a brush, soapy water, hydrogen peroxide, or ammonia.
Topaz. You can clean with an old toothbrush and active chemicals.
Pomegranate. Tolerates aqueous cleaning solutions well.
Emerald. Can be cleaned using any alcohol solution or aqueous cleaning mixture.
Sapphire. Products with sapphire tolerate mechanical cleaning with a soft brush, alcohol-containing product, or even gasoline.
Chrysolite. The stone can be cleaned with a soft cloth moistened with alcohol.
Zircon. This is a very hard stone, so it tolerates mechanical cleaning well.
Ruby. You can clean rubies with alcohol-containing solutions applied to soft brushes and shampoo.

With soft stones

Inserts require careful handling and special care. You cannot clean such inserts with a brush or use abrasives - micro-scratches may appear on their surface. Components containing acid, as well as ammonia, cannot be used, as they cause clouding of the stone.

How to clean:

Pearls can be cleaned with a mild, gentle soap solution, without the use of water or acids, this will preserve them for many years.
Malachite can be cleaned with specially impregnated wipes.
The coil looks great after treatment with soapy water and further rubbing with a soft cloth.
Turquoise can darken when in contact with water, so to clean it you need to use special professional products, for example, moisten a napkin with the product and wipe thoroughly.
It is better to rub amber with a piece of felt, and to clean hard-to-reach places with a cotton swab; it is forbidden to use alcohol solutions.
Coral can be cleaned with a damp cloth and then wiped dry.
Opal should not be soaked or used with detergents; opal objects should be wiped with a soft, damp, but not wet cloth and dried with felt or flannel.