Long beloved for their beautiful, blue, sea-inspired coloring, aquamarines make wonderful jewelry pieces. While they’re not as hard as diamonds, they are durable for everyday use. If you keep them away from chemicals such as alcohol and ammonia, they can last well into the future. Still, due to their light coloring, aquamarines can smudge easily. Meaning, you need to know how to clean them to keep them looking their best.
Do you want to keep your aquamarine stone in good shape for years to come? Are you curious about proper maintenance and upkeep for this March birthstone? Are you tired of smudges but don’t know what to do about them? Whether you’ve had your piece for decades or have recently acquired an aquamarine gem, here’s what you need to know about keeping it clean and sparkling.
Cleaning and Caring for Aquamarine Stones
The best way to clean an aquamarine stone is to wash it in warm, soapy water. For more detail on how to protect your stone in cleaning, here’s a step-by-step guide:
1. Set up a bowl. Find a small bowl and fill it with warm water. Add a little dish soap to make the water sudsy.2. Soak your stone. Set your aquamarine jewelry inside the bowl and let it soak for several minutes.3. Scrub gently. Use a soft-bristled toothbrush to gently scrub the stone, dislodging any particles and removing any dirt. Take special care with the prongs holding the stone, so as to avoid bending them.4. Rinse. After cleaning the stone, rinse it under warm water to get rid of any remaining soap. Dry with a soft cloth.
Types of Cleaning Products to Use — and to Avoid
In order to protect your aquamarine stone from inadvertent damage in the cleaning process, avoid all cleaning products that contain ammonia or alcohol. Likewise, stay away from abrasive cleaning materials such as scrubbing cloths or brushes. What you want to remember with aquamarine upkeep is to stay gentle. Carefully clean the stone using soft, nonabrasive materials.
How the Stone’s Setting Affects Cleaning
There are different types of metals used in aquamarine settings. That’s why knowing how to clean the setting starts with knowing what metal you’re cleaning. If it’s silver, always dry the jewelry well before using a soft, gentle cloth to buff any tarnishes. If it’s gold, stainless steel or tungsten, clean the setting just as you would clean your aquamarine gemstone.
How Aquamarine’s Natural Traits Affect Cleaning
Aquamarine is the greenish-blue to blue variety of beryl, a popular mineral that comes in various colors from deep green to rare reds. Durable and available in diverse cuts, an aquamarine gemstone can be particularly captivating on an engagement ring or other jewelry piece — especially when it’s regularly cleaned to stay looking shiny. Naturally susceptible to getting cloudy or smudged, aquamarines require cleaning from time to time. To keep yours shiny, follow the cleaning tips above.
Finding Aquamarine and Other Jewelry at Ethan Lord Jewelers
Whether you’re looking for a unique custom engagement ring or a standout piece of jewelry with a blue stone, Ethan Lord Jewelers is your resource. Among the various gemstones and jewelry we offer, we have a variety of setting options for this elegant stone as well as alternatives such as lab grown diamond engagement rings.
Popular in oval and emerald shapes, this durable gemstone works beautifully for everyday wear. A symbol of youth, hope, health and fidelity, it’s one of the many materials we work with to create stunning, one-of-a-kind jewelry for our clients.
Interested in learning more about aquamarine pieces or having your aquamarine jewelry cared for by a skilled professional from Ethan Lord Jewelers? Contact us today!