How To Properly Care For Amethyst Sterling Silver Jewelry Pieces
If you recently purchased a beautiful purple amethyst stone set in sterling silver, then it's important you know how to clean and maintain it.
Though amethyst stones are a form of quartz and are very hard, they can be damaged if they aren't properly cared for. Silver is a strong metal but it does tend to tarnish and requires a bit of special care to keep it shiny and looking great.
To keep your new amethyst sterling silver bracelet jewelry piece in good repair so it can become a family heirloom someday, follow the care information below:
Avoid Things Known to Damage Amethyst Stones
Amethyst is quartz that was irradiated by surrounding minerals in the ground where it was formed. As a form of quartz, amethyst is both a hard stone and prone to cracking if it is hit at just the right angle or undergoes severe temperature changes. So, it's important to avoid scenarios where the stone can be physically damaged, such as working on your home or doing physical labor.
In addition to physical damage, amethyst gemstones can suffer surface damage if exposed to:
- alkaline solutions
- ammonia
- chlorine bleach
- hydrofluoric acid
In addition, amethyst will fade if it is exposed to sunlight for an extended period of time so this should be avoided.
Avoid Things Known to Damage Silver Jewelry
The familiar black tarnish that forms on silver jewelry is caused by oxidation and it's made worse by moisture and mineral contaminants. And, as you scrub your silver jewelry to remove the tarnish, you are actually removing a thin layer of the metal. For this reason, the less you need to polish it the better.
In addition to damage from hard polishing, silver items can be damaged by exposure to:
- chlorine bleach
- household cleaners
- waterborne contaminants
For this reason, you should always remove your jewelry items when cleaning, swimming, or exercising.
How to Properly Clean Amethyst Sterling Silver Jewelry Items
Now that you know what to avoid to prevent damaging your new piece of amethyst sterling silver jewelry, it's important you know how to clean and maintain it.
To clean the stone, you can wash your piece with mild dish soap and some warm water. This will remove any grease or dirt from the piece. Make sure you dry it thoroughly to avoid excessive tarnishing.
Finally, to polish the silver, use long strokes and don't push too hard to avoid removing too much of the metal.