History of Gemstones for Accessory-Making

In the early times, gemstones were already popularly used as adornments and accessories. They were oftentimes associated with different mystical entities, that ancient people religiously believed existed. Gemstones were first associated with the different astrological bodies and then inter-related into the twelve months of the year. These stones were also believed to have mystical healing powers and abilities to bring good luck to the wearer. Nowadays, gemstones are still regarded by some people to be able to provide them with this extraordinary power in healing while some of them can condition the minds. When it comes to jewellery, however, the gemstones are regarded as treasures because of their beauty and value especially when paired with the most expensive metals and stones.

Value of Gemstones

There is not one grading system used universally for gemstones except for diamonds. The Gemological Institute of America or GIA has developed a mnemonic device, that can help consumers weigh the value of diamonds. This system is referred to as the Four Cs, that stands for colour, clarity, cut, and carat. These four criteria are used differently depending if the diamond is coloured or not. For uncoloured diamonds, the main determinant is its clarity followed by its colour. Real and good quality diamonds should be able to break down light into the basic rainbow colours or chop the light ray into little pieces. For coloured gems, however, their values are weighed according to their colour and clarity.

How to Care for Gemstone Accessories

1. Jewellery with mounted stones can easily collect dirt especially if they are regularly worn. Constantly cleaning them with water mixed with mild detergent can help loosen the accumulated dirt. For particles that cannot be removed by soaking, using a soft bristled toothbrush to scrub the stone will work for the cleaning.

2. Remove the accessories when doing strenuous activities because there are types of gemstones that can be easily scratched and chipped. Never wear mounted gemstone accessories when swimming because the chlorine in the water can cause the surface of the stone to tarnish.

3. Use the ultrasonic cleaner for hard gemstones such as sapphires, rubies, and diamonds. The ultrasonic cleaner is a device that bombards the accessory with sound waves to shake off the dirt. Moreover, before putting a gemstone on this cleaner, make sure that the accessory does not have any inclusion on its surface. Even the tiniest crack can become bigger with the use of ultrasonic cleaners or may even cause the stone to crack.

4. On the other hand, refrain from using the ultrasonic cleaner for soft stones like emeralds. Emeralds have soft structures and the sound waves can cause inclusions on its surface.

5. Never use ammonia or ultrasonic cleaners for opaque stones like onyx, malachite, and turquoise. Instead, use a moist cloth to clean them off. These stones are highly porous and can absorb chemicals so common treatments cannot be used on them. If chemicals build up inside them, these stones can erode or discolour.

6. Store gemstones in jewellery bags and separate them according to their softness. Keep the soft stones like onyx and emeralds on separate containers and away from the diamonds and sapphires because these hard stones can scratch the soft gems.

Author Bio: Silver Jewellery online Egyptian jewellery

Category: Womens Interest
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