Cleaning Colored stones set in Sterling Silver...

[Stone Hunter]

There is a gem cleaner for colored stones, the round silver/taupe container by the same company that makes the round red container that does diamonds and sapphires.

What in the world How in the world should I clean my genuine gems that are set in Sterling Silver!!!???

I believe this is a very timely question with the Katie ring becoming so popular on PS.

THANKS

 

[chrono]

The traditional soapy warm water, rinse and pat dry (or air dry for extremely soft stones) works for just about all gemstones and all metals.

 

[Pandora II]

The butler''s thumb

Elbow grease and a soft cloth is the best method for cleaning silver - hard work if you let the tarnish build up, not so bad if you do it regularly. For the stones, dish soap, warm water and a baby toothbrush. For some species you could also use an ultrasonic.

 

[movie zombie]

silver rings worn regularly do not need to be cleaned. they develop a patina [part of that patina is from minute scratches] that is actually quite lovely.

mz

 

[DiaDiva]

I use a sunshine cloth bought off e-bay.

 

[gemgirl]

I''ve always used this polishing cream on sterling silver. It works well and doesn''t damage stones.

http://caribbeangem.com/polishing.html

 

[Arcadian]

I use a drop of dawn dishsoap and a fullhead extra soft toothbrush. I tend to clean my pieces under running water with a wire mesh sieve underneath to catch in case a stone comes loose.

Its whats kept my silver tarnish free for years. I tend not to leave my silver out to the open air, so that helps too.

-A

 

[Gailey]

Stone Hunter, if you''ve got Argentium silver, I think that is supposed to be much more tarnish resistant than Sterling.

What about warm water, baking soda and aluminium tin foil? I haven''t tried it, but it is supposed to remove stubborn tarnish. Can''t imagine it would hurt gemstones, but I don''t know that to be a fact.

 

[Stone Hunter]

Thanks folks. I''m not really worried about the tarnish. I''m worried about safely cleaning the stones. So I''ll try some dishsoap and warm water. It''s not A. Silver it''s something I''ve had for quite a while.