Handle with care: From smart cleaning to an occasional polish, handy tips to care for your gemstones

While gemstones may be categorised as semi-precious, they are anything but that. While the gemstone market has seen a boom off late with many young buyers gravitating towards the whimsical patterned stones for both aesthetic value and spiritual output, a lot of gemstone jewellery also tends to have a generational aspect to it, making its upkeep not only all the more important, but also necessary. Here's a guide to ensure the best care routine for your rather precious gemstones.

The Do's

Cleaning is the cornerstone of gemstone upkeep. Many gemstone pieces come with ornate designs within which they sit encrusted. Dirt and grime gather rather easily in the grooves which can prove to be corrosive to the gemstone, over time. However, do not go all hammer and tong on your jewellery.

A soft brush will do the trick provided you have not truly put the jewellery through wear and tear. Additionally, there are also professional gemstone cleaners for more delicate materials like amber and pearl.

The Don'ts

Gemstones may be categorised as 'stones', but they do still rank high on the sensitivity factor. One must be careful to not put extra pressure on gemstone jewellery, particularly the pieces which you opt for daily wear - a handy tip is to always take off your gemstone jewellery when you go to bed.

Part of this awareness also includes wearing your gemstone pieces responsibly - a rule to keep in mind in this regard is that your gemstone jewellery pieces must be the last piece you put on and the first piece you take off. Additionally, always retain the box that came with your piece to keep it away from the dust and the changing weather.