Jewelry gets dirty and dull at a very fast rate. To keep them shining and new they have to be kept free of dirt and grime. Proper cleaning methods can ensure their sparkling look for longer periods of time. Sometimes improper cleaning techniques and products can cause permanent damage to your precious stone or jewelry. Gemstones require lots of care and nimble hands for their longevity. Always use nub free cotton cloth or jeweler??s cloth for cleaning gemstones. Jeweler's cloth is available at jewelry stores and each time a new one should be used.

The best solution for cleaning jewelry is a mixture of warm water and soap. There are certain dos and don'ts while cleaning gemstone jewelry.

i) Always check jewelry to look for lose stones, missing prongs, elevated gems, cracked or broken metal, discolored or pitting metal, bent or warped prongs etc. This should be the first step prior to cleaning since further damage should not be caused by the process of cleaning the piece of jewelry.

ii) Commercial cleaners are available for purchase at jewelry stores and these should be used for cleaning. The instructions on the commercial cleaners should be followed to the point to avoid any kind of damage to the jewelry.

iii) Bleach should never be used for cleaning jewelry. It can breakdown your jewelry. Bleach can react with the metal in the jewelry and make it brittle since it is an oxidizing agent. For the same reason jewelry should be removed before using swimming pools and hot tubs which contain chlorine to prevent bacterial growth. Chlorine products, denatured alcohol, turpentine, acetone, ammonia are harmful and can cause pitting of surface of softer gemstones and dull the metal surface.

iv) Toothpaste and abrasives should not be used for cleaning even though sometimes they are recommended. Toothpastes contain abrasives that can damage the surface of gemstones and the metal. Toothpastes are specifically known to abrade amber, lapis, turquoise etc which are comparatively softer stones.

v) The toothbrush with soft bristles is the ideal cleaning tool for jewelry with gemstones. These can reach into crevices and clean the dirt surrounding the stones. These are very handy and can be used while frequently applying the cleaning solution.

It is always better to remove pieces of jewelry before showering or bathing since a film of soap remains between the stones and this film attracts bacteria, dirt and other contaminants. Jewelry can be taken to the jeweler for cleaning; especially diamond jewelry would be better off being cleaned by a professional. The simple tips mentioned can help in keeping your precious jewelry clean and shining.

It is just a little effort that needs to be taken to make sure that the wedding ring on your finger does not lose the luster and become dingy and old. Taking proper and timely care of your jewelry can ensure that they can be enjoyed for many years and can last for generations.