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I hear the same question time and time again. “They both look the same, so what’s the difference?” Its true, white gold and platinum jewellery do look the same yet white gold is much cheaper than platinum. But before you rush to choose white gold, know the facts:

“I thought gold was yellow?” It is. The gold that is used to make jewellery is almost always not 100% pure. You may have heard the term “carat” to describe the purity of gold. This measure is a scale out of 24 where 24 carat is pure gold. 9 carat gold is thus 37.5% pure gold and 18 carat gold is 75% pure gold. The rest of the metal is actually a mixture of alloys. Gold is very soft and the alloys mixed with it helps make the metal harder. With white gold, white alloys are used to mix with the pure gold, and the result is a pale yellow metal. This pale yellow metal is then coated with Rhodium which is a very hard, expensive and white metal. The result is a bright white metal - white gold.

Platinum, on the other hand, is a metal that is naturally white. Platinum is rarer than gold, heavier, much harder and used in a purer form (usually 95%). Platinum is therefore much more expensive than gold.

The advantages of white gold over platinum when used in jewellery is that it is much more affordable. However, you may need to re-coat the item in Rhodium once or twice a year as wear and tear rubs away the coating and the pale, dull yellow gold becomes visible.

Platinum jewellery is initially more expensive, but it can be argued is more cost effective in the long run as when it scratches or becomes worn, it does not need to be re-coated.

Therefore, my metal of choice for jewellery is platinum. It does not only feel more substantial (as is heavier than gold), it is rarer and also more practical. Besides, when you buy an expensive piece of diamond jewellery, you want to know that you have bought the best!

Gary Ingram runs The Diamond Store.co.uk which is full of information and advice on buying and choosing Diamond Jewellery

Weight. What is a Carat?

Diamonds are sold by the carat (CT), not to be confused with Karat (KT), which in the United States refers to gold quality. Since 1913 most countries have agreed that a carat weighs 200 milligram, or 1/5 gram.
Before 1913 the carat weight varied depending upon the country of origin, the Indian carat didn’t weigh the same as the English carat; the French carat was different from the Indian or the English. This is important if you have, or are thinking of buying , a very old piece that still has the original bill of sale indicating carat weight; the old carat weighted more than the new, post 1913 metric carat, which is 200 milligram (1/5 gram). Therefore, an old three carat stone will weigh more than three carats by the new standards. Today the term “carat” means the metric carat, the 200 milligram carat. There are five carats to one gram.

Jewelers often refer to the carat weight of diamonds in terms of points. This is particularly true of stones under one carat. There are 100 points to a carat, so if a jeweler says that a stone weighs 75 points, that means it weigh 75/100 of a carat, or 3/4 carat. A 25 points stone is 1/4 carat. A 10 points diamond is 1/10 carat.

The carat is the unit of weight, not size. I wish to stress this point, since most people think that a one carat stone is a particular size. Most people, therefore, would expect a one carat diamond and one carat emerald, for example, to look the same size or to have the same apparent dimensions. This is not true.

Comparing a one carat diamond to a one carat emerald and a one carat ruby easily illustrate this point. First, emerald weighs less than diamond and ruby weighs more than diamond. This means that a one carat emerald will look larger than a one carat diamond, while the ruby will look smaller than a diamond of the same weight. Emerald, with a mineral composition that is lighter, will yield greater mass per carat; ruby, with its heavier composition, will yield less mass per carat.

Equal volumes of materials with the same density, however, should have approximately the same weight, so that in diamond, the carat weight has come to represent particular sizes. These sizes are based on diamonds cut to ideal proportions.

How does carat weight affect value in diamonds?

Diamond prices are usually quoted per carat. Diamonds of finest quality are sold for the highest price per carat, and diamonds of progressively less fine quality are sold for a progressively lower price per carat.
Also, as a rule, the price increases per carat as we go from smaller to larger stones, since the larger stones are more limited in supply.
furthermore, stones of the same quality weighting exactly one carat will sell for much more than stones weighting 90 to 96 points. Thus, if you want a one carat diamond of a particular quality, but its cost goes over your budget, you may find one in a 95 point diamond more affordable, and a 95 point diamond will give the impression of a full one carat diamond when set. You might be able to get your heart’s desire after all.

The price of a diamond does not increase proportionally; there are disproportionate jumps. The larger and finer the stone (all else being equal in terms of overall quality), the more disproportionate the increase in the cost per carat may be. A top quality two carats diamond will not cost twice as much as a one carat diamond, it easily be four times as much.

What is spread?

The term spread is often used in response to the question ”How large is this diamond?” But it can be misleading. Spread refers to the size the stone appears to be, based o its diameter. For example, if the diameter of the stone measured the same as you see in the diamond sizes chart (shown above) which represents the diameter of a perfectly proportioned stone, the jeweler might say it “spreads” one carat. But this does not mean it weight one carat. But this does mean it weights one carat. It means it looks the same size as a perfectly cut one carat stone. It may weigh less or more, usually less.

Diamonds are generally weighted before they are set, so the jeweler can give you the exact carat weight, since you are paying a certain price per carat. Note, also, that the price per carat for a fine stone weighting 96 points is much less than for one weighing one carat or more. So it is unwise to accept any “approximate” weight, even though the difference seems so slight.

It is also important when buying a diamond to realize that since carat refers to weight, the manner in which a stone is cut can affect its apparent size. a one carat diamond that is cut shallow will appear larger in diameter than a stone that is cut thick (heavy). Conversely, a thick diamond will appear smaller in diameter.

Furthermore, if the diamond has a thick girdle, the stone will appear smaller in diameter. If this girdle is faceted, it tends to hide the ugly, frosted look of a thick girdle, but the fact remains that the girdle is thick, and the stone suffers because it will appear smaller in diameter than one would expect at a given carat weight. These stones (diamonds) are therefore somewhat cheaper per carat.

The article above can be used on your web site or newsletter.

When it is published, May I request that you include my name and resource box (the bio., contact and copyright information that follows the article. I would also appreciate if you could send me an e-mail of notification along with a complimentary copy of publication.

Bijan Aziz is the owner and Web Master for The Jewelry Hut.

http://www.thejewelryhut.com

The best source for fine Diamond, gemstone, and Pearl Jewelry on the Web

“I’ll show you who’s boss!” is what the sight of lion jewelry says — no, roars! In a crowded room, the people most likely to shine out and be the lives of the party may well be wearing lion jewelry. These people are take-charge, charismatic and naturally the stars of the show — much like the lion in their accessories.

This is because people who choose lion jewelry are often strong-willed and proud types. They are also quite often leaders, so don’t be surprised if your high-powered corporate boss happens to be sporting a solid-gold lion’s head ring or pendant! People who wear lion jewelry don’t just do it for show — well, all right, maybe mainly for show. But they also send a message out to the world, and that message is “I’m in control!”

The lion motif in jewelry is frequently associated with the Western zodiac sign Leo. As with rabbit jewelry, it might be reasonable to assume that people sporting the lion motif were born under this zodiac sign. The Leo is dominant, spontaneous, creative and extroverted. They are most comfortable in a position of command. Leos are fun and effective communicators. They are gifted with the unique ability to shine out and take charge in any occasion.

Even in private, Leos like to be fussed over and given full attention. All eyes on the king! The worst thing you can do to a Leo loved one is to wound his or her pride, to belittle his or her achievements.

Leos are idealistic and single-minded — when they are dedicated to a cause, you will know it! They are good at drawing people into their circles, a whirlwind schedule of alternating charity parties and outreach events are nothing to them. They are adventurous, but they are by no means sloppy. Leos are known to suddenly plan getaways like backpacking across Europe — and they will accomplish it, even on a surprisingly small budget!

Add an extra sparkle to your Leo’s eyes with a surprise gift of lion jewelry. Or treat yourself to a few choice bracelets and rings, and feed the lion within!

Sam Serio is an Internet Marketer, musician and a writer on the subject of jewelry and gemstones. For more information on jewelry and gemstones, we cordially invite you to visit www.morninglightjewelry.com to pick up your FREE copy of “How To Buy Jewelry And Gemstones Without Being Ripped Off.” This concise, informative special report reveals almost everything you ever wanted to know about jewelry and gemstones, but were afraid to ask. Get your FREE report at www.morninglightjewelry.com.

When it comes to fashion don’t play safe, have some fun with your style and enjoy your look. Make your fashion statement! And the world will notice! Estate jewelry is the perfect finishing touch to your wardrobe so don’t forget to compliment your look with jewelry!

Even the most conservative dresser can find a beautiful piece of estate jewelry that says loads about them. Show your personality with your jewelry. From the serious corporate executive to the sexy flirt there is an estate jewelry necklace or earrings for you!

Estate jewelry stays in style year after year. It stands you out from the rest of the crowd. While others are busy buying the same modern necklace, earrings, or brooch, you’ll be showing off your unique style and tastes. You’re not likely to find someone wearing exactly the same piece as you.

You can turn estate jewelry from sophisticated, to fun, to trendy. Dress it up or down. Mix and match color, style, shape, and size. And you simply cannot beat the quality of estate costume jewelry from the past.

Estate jewelry can be used to show your individual personality. Think of it as fashion art and personal expression. We tend to think of our fashion statement as our hair style, the clothes we wear, the shoes and hand bag we carry. But your jewelry is an important part of that fashion statement.

Every now and then you change the style or the color of your hair. Each season you add and remove pieces from your wardrobe. But your estate jewelry will take you from season to season, year after year. All you need to do is mix and match it to give it a whole new look.

All types of estate jewelry are very flexible. They can be worn to the office, to that important executive meeting, for a night on the town, to the beach, or for that intimate evening. Bring out your softer feminine side, the sexy goddess, or present simple charm, sophistication and elegance. Wear it with your most formal evening gown, your casual sportswear, your office wardrobe, or your favorite pair of jeans. Wear it in the summer, winter, fall, and spring.

Estate jewelry is available with a variety of base metals. Silver, gold, copper, and brass are all popular. There are shiny pieces, matte piece, there are glittering rhinestones, subtle gemstones. Large pieces, dainty pieces. There costume jewelry of the earlier eras was often based on design ideas of fine jewelry and it had an artistic flare that has never been surpassed in the jewelry industry. Truly a time period where jewelry stood out above the rest. And it still does!

Estate jewelry has been popular for many years but just recently it has seen an incredible surge in popularity. Women are tired of looking like everyone else. They want to show off their unique personality and their very own fashion statement. Since this can be difficult to do with clothing that is mass produced and jewelry that is mass produced they have turned to estate jewelry for that gorgeous unique finished touch. They know that they will have the finishing touches that no other woman has. When they walk into the room they know that they will be unique and beautiful and make their fashion statement! No one will forget!

Sher from Estate Jewelry International have been serving customers for over 20 years, providing affordable estate jewelry, and a wealth of information on jewelry, fashion, designers, and beauty with on staff industry professionals. Please visit us at Estate Jewelry International.

They say diamonds are a girl’s best friend and that it is the true symbol of love. Their sparkle makes them absolutely attractive to the ladies. A diamond takes time to form; and skill to shape and perfect - just as relationships are. They say nothing compares to a diamond. They are rare and precious gems.

But are you sure that what you gave your fiancé is really a diamond? It may look like a diamond, shine like a diamond, yet be anything but this costly gem. It may not even cost half of what you paid for it.

There are now many imitation diamonds out in the market. It is difficult to tell with the naked eye that the stone one is holding is the real thing or not. They are usually very well made. The best known imitation diamonds are moissanite and cubic zirconia.

Moissanite is a synthetic gem. It is not a fake diamond at all. It is a mineral that appears very similar to a diamond.

Moissanite is made in a laboratory using silicon carbide crystals. They have a more brilliant shine than diamonds. They are also less expensive, usually costing a mere 10th of the cost of the real thing.

Moissanite was discovered in the late 1800’s in Arizona, at the bottom of a meteor crater. It wasn’t until 1995 that it was discovered that there was a way to make these stones into jewelry. The process was perfected and cutting styles that would allow the moissanite to truly sparkle were crafted.

Moissanite stones are popular with couples who are working on a tight budget and want a ring with a bigger stone. That it sparkles so beautifully is a plus in their book. It is also pretty strong stone and is quite close to a diamond in hardness. Buyers should know though that moissanite tends to have greenish or grayish tint instead of being colorless.

Cubic Zirconia on the other hand was discovered in 1937 by two German scientists. It is created by heating and combining yttrium oxide and zirconium oxide in a complicated process perfected in 1970. To the naked and untrained eye, it would be difficult to distinguish a real diamond from a cubic zirconia stone if the imitation piece is well cut.

The most famous name in the retail of cubic zirconia is Swarovski and Co. Being less costly than the real gem; cubic zirconia has been used by the wealthy, the elite and the celebrities to decorate almost any fashion piece from jewelry to bags to clothes. There’s even a motorcycle encrusted with it owned by socialite turned actress, Paris Hilton.

If you want to get a diamond and want to avoid purchasing an imitation piece, you need to find yourself an honest jeweler. You also need to learn the basics of buying a diamond (namely the four C’s - cut, clarity, color and carat). Best of all, make sure that you get a certificate issued by the Gemological Institute of America (GIA) identifying the uniqueness of your diamond.

Will your fiancée mind if you gave her an imitation gem? Only if you told her it was the real thing, would be our guess. After all, everybody hates to learn that they have been deceived. Better to let her make the choice and work within your budget.

Other than silver, gold and platinum, another most important metal that is especially popular for men’s wedding bands is the titanium, a charcoal-gray hued metal. Titanium wedding bands are durable and light since titanium is an extremely lightweight metal. However, it is as strong as steel and widely popular on aircrafts. Also, this metal is the hardest natural element in the world and so is very strong, durable, does not tarnish and is hypoallergenic. The metal has a lovely sheen that can be a good alternative to white gold, silver and platinum. Titanium has three times the strength of steel and much stronger than gold, silver and platinum.

Other characteristics of titanium are that it is more dent, bend and scratch resistant compared to gold, silver and platinum. It also offers an exotic array of colors that other metals do not. However, titanium does have one negative characteristic, which is that it cannot be resized, since this metal cannot be soldered. However, they can easily be cut off the finger in case of emergency as in the case of platinum rings, even though it is a tougher process as compared to platinum rings. It should be noted that in case of an aircraft grade titanium ring, it is not possible to cut the ring off the finger under any circumstances.

Titanium is usually considered for men because of its lightweight, durability and resistance to corrosion. Though this metal has been recently introduced in the jewelry market, its popularity seems to be increasing steadily. Sometimes, titanium can also be alloyed with other metals for greater strength. However, it is suggested to choose wedding bands with the purest grade of titanium that can be found. Blue Nile wedding bands provide 100% pure titanium wedding bands. A pure titanium wedding band can be cut off the finger in case of emergency. Also, pure titanium wedding rigs can be polished in case of scratches to make it look new again.

This metal is incredibly lightweight and comfortable, about 1/3 the weight of gold. Also, a choice of precious or semi-precious stones can be set into titanium rings for those who prefer these to plain wedding bands. The bands can also be made with comfort fit for daily wear as in case of wedding bands.

Mens Wedding Bands provides detailed information about men’s wedding bands, men’s diamond wedding bands, men’s gold wedding bands and more. Mens Wedding Bands is affiliated with Moissanite Rings.

Throughout time, man has sought to decorate the human body and this has
manifested as body painting, tattoos, piercing and for those a little squeamish or
less brave, decoration by the wearing of adornments generally know as jewelry.

In ancient times, jewelry may have been simple pieces made from natural materials such as shells plucked from the seashore or pebbles worn smooth and polished by years of being tumbled along the sea or river bed. These would have been strung
together perhaps as necklaces or wrist pieces as early examples of a charm bracelet.
Nature gives up so many beautiful things that can be used to make items such as
earrings, rings, bracelets, hair pieces and so the list goes on.

Skilled craftsmen would have laboured for many hours intricately carving small
pieces of bone, ivory or wood to fashion exquisite unique pieces of jewelry, no two
of which would ever be the same.

To ancient man, jewelry was not just decorative but very symbolic and the wearer
often held the belief that these trinkets were lucky, that they would ward off evil
spirits or that they would even help them defeat their enemies in battle.

To the Romans and Ancient Egyptians the wearing of jewelry and the type of jewelry
worn was a direct indication of a persons standing in the community. Large heavy
ornate pieces forged from solid precious metals such as gold, encrusted with
precious or semi precious gemstones were a sign to say – look how rich and
important I am.

Styles and materials may have changed over time but the wearing of jewelry has always been a practice
adopted by both men and women.

Over the years there has even been functional jewelry such as the medical alert
items, which have saved many peoples lives. Identity type bracelets worn by a
person who has a medical condition or requires vital medication have helped
medical personnel decide on appropriate treatment when faced with a person who
has been rendered incapable of communicating because of for instance an accident.

Over recent years, popular items have been the brightly coloured rubber bracelets
sold in aid of various charities, which demonstrate that the wearer supports that
cause and has donated money to help raise funds for that cause. Some
traditionalists may not regard these strictly as being jewelry although who said that
the article had to be expensive or made from precious metals to qualify for the
name.

In modern times, we have seen a huge increase in the type and variety of jewelry
available and the discovery of new strong and lightweight metals such as titanium
or other alloys has given rise to new many new possibilities. Man made materials
such as acrylics and plastics also lend themselves very well to the manufacture of
affordable, colourful jewelry and in the shops you can see many examples of
wonderful, bright and modern fun items, to be worn on any occasion as the mood
takes.
Whilst most of us choose to spend a little extra on that special piece of jewelry such
as our wedding rings, we now have an endless choice of less expensive everyday
jewelry which we can change to suit our mood or match our outfit.

Who knows what the future holds with regard to the designs and materials we will
have at our disposal to make attractive pieces of jewelry to be worn by both men
and women. One thing is for certain and that is that there will be a never ending
supply with something to suit all tastes and all budgets from the most traditional to
the most contemporary.

John Lewis runs Love2Have an on line jewellery website that only sells UK hand made jewelry including
engagement rings and wedding rings.

How to Care For Your Jewellery

Storage of Your Jewellery

Keep silver jewellery out of the air and light when stored to prevent tarnishing. A protective jewellery pouch, a lined box or just wrapping in tissue or soft cloth are all suitable.

Each piece of jewellery should be stored in a separate compartment to prevent scratching as a result of pieces knocking together. Gem-set jewellery will undoubtedly contain gemstones which are harder than silver and will therefore scratch the surface of the silver if allowed to jangle together. This holds true for gold as well.

General Care in Wear

Treat your jewellery with loving care and respect and it will stay young looking – like most women.

Washing Up, Spring Cleaning or DIY?

Remove your jewellery when carrying out cleaning or other chores. Cleaning fluids can damage both the metal and the gemstones. A miss-hit with the hammer could end a beautiful relationship with not just your engagement ring.

Going out?

Remember to put your jewellery on after applying make-up and the hairspray and avoid contact with perfume.

Going swimming?

Remove all jewellery before entering a chlorinated pool. If you’re contemplating a sauna, remove all jewellery as it will burn you when it heats up. Many gemstones are damaged by prolonged exposure to heat.

Going on holiday?

Most of us come off the beach on the first day with the 3 s’s all achieved - rings caked in sand, sea-salt and suntan lotion.
Nude sunbathing, as far as silver and gold jewellery is concerned, is a must!
Remember also that sand will scratch the surface of precious metals.

Tour de France or Running the Marathon?

Sweat will not enhance your jewellery and no-one will be looking at it anyway.

What is Silver?

Sterling silver is 92.5% silver and is sometimes referred to as “pure silver”. The remaining 7.5% is usually copper but can be other metal and is used to give this precious metal strength and durability. Silver which is 99.9% silver is too soft to be practical for most day to day uses.

Generally, the higher the silver content the brighter or whiter the metal but beware of antiquing effects that can make a piece of sterling silver jewellery or decorative silverware look dark.

Sterling silver will tarnish over time but with care and regular cleaning can be restored to its “good as new” sparkling condition.

How Do I Clean Silver?

Natural body oils, soap and regular daily dust can build up on your jewellery.

A mild soap in water is usually enough to clean it. If gem-set, use a soft toothbrush to gently clean the surfaces of the gemstones. Remember the backs!

Gently pat the jewellery dry. Do not use tissue or anything other than a jewellery cleaning cloth to polish your jewellery as unseen tiny hard fibres will scratch the surface.

If more serious cleaning is required, then use a good jeweller’s rouge or jewellery cleaning dip. However, if your silver is gem-set see below for advice on specific gemstones to be sure what is safe to use. Some cleaners which are ideal for sterling silver may be too harsh for the set gemstone.

Ultrasonic cleaners are not recommended. They can damage pearls and gem-set jewellery.

How Durable is My Gemstone Jewellery?

First of all a note about the hardness and therefore relative durability of gemstones.

To measure hardness, the jewellery industry uses the Mohs scale. This gem-trade standard, conceived by Friedrich Mohs in 1812, measures the ability of a gem or mineral to resist abrasion damage. Diamond at 10 is the hardest whereas talc at 1 is the softest. Popular gemstones like amethyst and citrine register 7 whereas rubies and sapphires register 9.

Most substances your jewellery is likely to come into contact with will be around 7 on Mohs scale so any gemstone with a hardness higher than 7 is unlikely to scratch.

Precious metals (silver, gold and platinum) are quite low on the Mohs scale – less than 4.5 – and will scratch.

How Do I Clean Semi-Precious Gemstones?

Turquoise

Mohs scale 5-6
Turquoise is chalky in texture and is to be treated as fragile.
Always store carefully in a separate compartment to avoid scratching and chipping.

It will scratch easily and chip if subjected to rough treatment. It does not like to be immersed in water and does not respond well to chemical contact. Either can cause it to change colour – usually turning more green.

To clean, use a damp cloth to wipe the surface.
Never use jewellery dip.
Never use an ultrasonic cleaner.

Lapis Lazuli

Mohs scale 5-6
Lapis lazuli is a soft stone and like turquoise will chip easily.
Always store carefully in a separate compartment.

To clean, use a damp cloth to wipe the surface. Do not immerse in water as this can remove the protective coating.

Avoid contact with all chemicals.
Never use jewellery dip.
Never use an ultrasonic cleaner.

Coral

Mohs scale 3.5 - 4
Coral is a soft organic gemstone and porous.
Always store carefully in a separate compartment as it will easily scratch or chip.

Avoid large variations in temperature and prolonged exposure to sunlight.

To clean, use a damp cloth to wipe the surface.
Never use jewellery dip.
Never use an ultrasonic cleaner.

Pearl

Mohs scale 2.5 - 4.5
Pearls are less durable than most gems. They are sensitive to acids, dryness, and humidity.

Avoid contact with any chemicals such as hairspray and perfume and wipe them clean with a soft cloth after wearing as natural body oils can discolour them.

Store them carefully, preferably in a pearl necklace box, a chamois bag or in tissue. Don’t throw them in a box with other jewellery as harder gemstones will scratch a pearl’s surface.

Cultured pearls can be washed carefully in mild soapy water.
Do not soak.
Do not dry in heat. Wipe dry with a soft cloth.

If worn often, restring every 2 years.

Larimar

Mohs scale 5 - 7
Store larimar carefully, preferably in a separate jewellery compartment, a chamois bag or in tissue.
Avoid contact with any chemicals such as hairspray and perfume and wipe clean with a soft cloth after wearing as natural body oils can dull the surface.
Avoid prolonged exposure to bright sunshine as this may cause colour fading.

Clean in mildly soapy water with a tiny drop of ammonia and use a soft brush. Rinse well and dry with a soft jewellery cloth.
Any cleaning preparation recommended for pearls is suitable for larimar.

Moonstone and Labradorite

Mohs scale 6
Moonstone gemstones are stored in oil before use in jewellery. This prevents the stone drying out and cracking.

It can be easily scratched and should be stored in a separate compartment

To clean, use a damp cloth to wipe the surface.
Never use jewellery dip.
Never use an ultrasonic cleaner.

Chalcedony and Onyx

Mohs scale 7
Avoid harsh chemicals.
Always store carefully in a separate jewellery compartment to avoid scratching and chipping.

Clean in mildly soapy water with a soft brush. Rinse well.

Rose Quartz

Mohs scale 7
Always store carefully in a separate jewellery compartment as despite its Mohs’ rating, rose quartz can chip and scratch easily.
Avoid prolonged exposure to bright sunshine as this may cause colour fading.

Clean in mildly soapy water with a soft brush. Rinse well.
Do not soak.
Do not steam clean

Topaz

Mohs scale 8
A durable gemstone unlikely to scratch or chip easily. However, always store in a separate jewellery compartment as it may scratch a softer gemstone or precious metal.
Avoid harsh chemicals and exposure to heat.

Clean in mildly soapy water with a soft brush. Rinse well.
Do not soak.
Do not steam clean
Never use an ultrasonic cleaner.

Amethyst, Citrine, Ametrine and Smokey Quartz

Mohs scale 7
Avoid harsh chemicals and long exposure to heat.
Always store carefully in a separate jewellery compartment to avoid scratching and chipping.

Clean in mildly soapy water with a soft brush. Rinse well.
Do not soak.
Do not steam clean
Should survive an ultrasonic cleaning.

Garnet

Mohs scale 6.5 – 7.5
Always store carefully in a separate jewellery compartment as garnet is brittle and despite its Mohs’ rating, can chip and scratch easily.
Avoid harsh chemicals.

Clean in mildly soapy water with a soft brush. Rinse well.
Do not soak.
Do not steam clean
All garnets except andradite (demantoid) should survive an ultrasonic cleaning.

Peridot

Mohs scale 6.5 – 7
Avoid harsh chemicals.
Avoid rapid changes in temperature and exposure to heat.
Always store carefully in a separate jewellery compartment to avoid scratching and chipping.

Clean in mildly soapy water with a soft brush. Rinse well.
Do not soak.
Do not steam clean
Never use an ultrasonic cleaner.

To see examples of jewellery featuring all the gemstones mentioned above visit the author’s web site www.BoothandBooth.co.uk

Joan Booth has spent over 20 years as a Fashion Buyer for some of the UK’s most illustrious department stores. She now owns and runs http://www.BoothandBooth.co.uk where you will find a unique range of gem set sterling silver jewellery.