How to Care for Emeralds

Emeralds are beautiful green gemstones that can vary in color intensity, size and clarity. In a piece of jewelry, the emerald can be a dramatic, focal statement or a colorful accent stone. Caring for emeralds properly will help ensure that they maintain their brilliance for many years to come.

Instructions

1

Check that emerald gemstones are secure in jewelry settings; verify that each stone does not shift when touched. Have your jewelry checked by an industry professional on a routine basis.

2

Determine if your emerald has been "oiled" by consulting a jeweler for an evaluation. Certified oiling is a standard practice in the jewelry industry that increases an emerald's brilliance. However, additional care is required for cleaning such a stone.

3

Clean your oiled emeralds properly. Do not use common jewelry-cleaning products, as these can harm your emeralds. Instead, create a mild cleansing solvent, such as a drop of dish-washing liquid with warm water, in a bucket. Soak emeralds for five minutes and gently clean grooves with a soft-bristled paint brush. Dip in a clean bucket of warm water and pat dry with a cotton cloth. (Rub gold and silver with a polishing cloth if necessary.)

4

Wear your emeralds with care. Emeralds are softer and less durable than other gemstones--such as rubies and diamonds--and can be easily scratched and dented. Only wear emerald jewelry when you're not engaging in strenuous physical activity.

5

Store emeralds correctly. Wrap clean emerald gemstones in a soft jewelry bag. Protect your emeralds from potential scratches by separating hard gemstones from soft varieties; an emerald should never be stored with diamonds, rubies, sapphires or topaz.