Amethyst is one of the most common gemstones. We all love it for its purple hue and a calming energy. Though it’s a kind of quartz which is quite durable, you’ll still have to take care of this stone to retain its charm. Since most of us like to wear amethyst in the form of jewelry, it’s important to know how we can clean, store, and protect it. And if you have a faceted amethyst, then taking care becomes even more essential, as faceted gems are more prone to chipping. In this blog, we’ll explore how to clean and care for your amethyst jewelry.
What You Should Know About Amethyst
Amethyst is a popular gemstone because it comes in a range of beautiful purple colors, from light lavender to dark violet. The color of a gemstone is often what makes it valuable. The more purple it is, the more it is worth.
Amethyst is not as hard as diamonds, sapphires, or rubies, but it is still hard enough to not get scratched easily. On the Mohs hardness scale, it is a 7. Long exposure to heat, sunlight, or strong chemicals can make colors fade or hurt them. Knowing about these weaknesses is the first step in keeping your jewelry safe.
If you want to buy natural gemstones online, go for a facecut cut, especially for amethyst. You can still take care of it by following the instructions which we are doing to talk about further.
How to Clean Amethyst Jewelry Safely
You should take a bow and fill it with warm water. If there’s some dirt, then pour a few drops of mild soap. Soak your amethyst jewelry in the bowl for 1-2 minutes. Avoid oversoaking as it can damage the stone. If the dirt isn’t going away, use a soft toothbrush to scrub the corners. Then wash it off and pat dry with a lint-free cloth. Refrain from using harsh chemical cleansers as they can cause permanent damage to the stone and your jewelry setting as well.
This method works, doesn’t scratch, and is safe for most amethyst jewelry, even those with delicate settings.
Ultrasonic and steam cleaning machines
Amethyst is usually tough, but you shouldn’t use steam or ultrasonic cleaners on jewelry that has cracks, inclusions, or settings that are easy to break. These tools can break the stone or make it come loose from its setting. Even if you buy moonstone online, it’s recommended to use only mild soap water for cleaning, no matter how stubborn the dirt is.
How to Protect Your Amethyst From Scratches and Other Damage
Amethyst is tough, but it can still scratch or chip if you don’t take care of it.
When you wear your amethyst rings or bracelets, don’t bang them against hard surfaces. Even small hits can leave tiny scratches or chips on the stone that dull its shine.
Take off your amethyst jewelry before you do these things:
- Exercising or playing sports
- Cleaning with chemicals around the house
- Gardening or doing work with your hands
- Swimming in pools or hot tubs (chlorine can damage both the stone and the setting)
These steps will help protect your amethyst’s natural beauty and keep it from getting damaged by accident.
Stopping Colors from Fading
Amethyst can lose its beautiful purple color if it is in the sun or heat for a long time.
Put your amethyst jewelry in a cool, dark place when you’re not wearing it. The best options are a lined jewelry box or a soft jewelry pouch. Don’t put your stones in clear glass displays where the sun can shine on them for hours at a time.
Avoid heat exposure as well. You shouldn’t put amethyst near things that are hot, like car dashboards, kitchen stoves, or lamps that are on. Long exposure to heat can not only fade the color, but it can also make the stone more likely to break.
The Final Words
It’s important to know how to clean and store your amethyst jewelry. Hence, there are certain things that you should take care of such as avoid wearing amethyst with other sharp stones that can cause scratches.
Amethyst can scratch or be scratched by other gemstones, especially diamonds, sapphires, and other types of quartz. Thus, put each piece in its own compartment. Even better, get a small soft fabric-lined pouch to store such jewelry pieces.
