Aquamarine stones are popular for their attractive sea-inspired blue colorings with a little touch of green. But when the sparkle of these stones is reduced by dirt, you need to know how to clean them.
The following sections will help you know how to clean aquamarine rings and provide you with additional helpful information. To learn more about how to clean your aquamarine ring, keep reading.
Key Takeaways
- Aquamarine gemstones score between 7.5 and 8 out of 10 on the Mohs Scale of Mineral Hardness, which means they’re strong and durable.
- The soap and water technique is the best in terms of cleaning aquamarine jewelry.
- Avoid using chemicals and hot water when cleaning pieces of aquamarine jewelry.
- Understand the setting of your aquamarine jewelry before you can start the cleaning process.
How to Clean Aquamarine Ring
As a beryl family member, aquamarine was named after seawater, and it’s widely known for being the birthstone for March. It has different hues that range from bright blue to light baby, making it a perfect match for love rings and love wedding bands, or engagement rings among others.
As a result, the popularity of gemstones is increasing significantly in not just rings, but also in other jewelry pieces that can be worn every day or during any special occasion, ranging from Christmas and New Year to anniversaries and birthdays.
These relatively strong and durable stones can be susceptible to stain marks and reduced sparkle over time if worn regularly. However, with frequent cleaning sessions and proper maintenance, your aquamarine gem can always look brand new and shiny for many decades.
Can You Clean Aquamarine Rings at Home?
You can clean your jewelry at home, and the cleaning process takes just a few minutes as it’s straightforward and requires some household items.
While cleaning your aquamarine stone is easy, there are some basic warnings you need to know before starting the process. Some of these warnings include; not using hot water and chemicals and not being violent with the prongs holding the aquamarine stone since they can bend easily.
Steps to Clean Aquamarine Rings at Home
Ensure you have everything you need to clean an aquamarine ring, including warm water, dish soap, a soft-bristled toothbrush, and a soft cloth. The body wash, shampoo, and dish soap you usually use will do well. Follow these steps to clean your ring.
- Take a small open container and fill it with warm soapy water.
- Submerge your aquamarine ring in warm soapy water and leave it for several minutes to soak.
- Take a soft toothbrush and use it to gently scrub the gem. A soft toothbrush combined with warm soapy water will help eliminate any dust particles and oil.
- Once your aquamarine jewelry is free from any dirt and particles, rinse it using running water, and use a soft cloth to dry it.
Remember, the prongs that hold the gemstones in position are delicate, meaning they can easily break or bend, especially when you’re too rough. You should use uniform, gentle strokes to avoid damaging the stone and prongs. Also, very cold and hot water can damage the stone by making it crack.
4 Easy Ways to Clean an Aquamarine Ring
When we talked about cleaning diamond rings we pointed out that they are best being professionally cleaned, which may be free or may require a small payment. However, you can avoid all that if you have an aquamarine ring. With that in mind, here are four easy ways to clean aquamarine rings.
Warm Soapy Water (Best Way to Clean Aquamarine Ring)
The easiest and most affordable way to clean a piece of aquamarine jewelry is with warm water and soap. You can use any type of soap, ranging from hand soap to dishwashing liquid, as long as it’s mild, not damage the aquamarine stone. It also goes for other types of gemstones. When cleaning emerald rings, for example, harsh detergent can dilute or remove any treatment from it.
Soft Jeweler’s Cloth
A soft jeweler’s cloth is ideal for cleaning gemstones since it’s an impregnated piece with a rouge, a fine abrasive substance. To use the soft jeweler’s cloth, just circularly rub it over the gemstone. As you rub, the jeweler’s rouge will eliminate any tarnish or dirt from your aquamarine stone, making it appear fresh and brand new.
Jewelry Cleaning Solution
Different aquamarine cleaning solutions are available in many supermarkets and drugstores near you. These cleaning solutions are usually friendly and safe for different types of non-diamond rings, aquamarine being one of them.
To ensure you don’t damage the stone, follow all the instructions on the container of the solution. Most cleaning solutions will require you to soak your aquamarine for several minutes and then gently scrub it with a soft-bristled toothbrush.
Jewelry Steamer
A jewelry steamer emits a hot water vapor stream, and you can find one at online stores or home improvement stores. Once you have this small hand-held device, hold it approximately six inches away from your aquamarine stone and put it on to release the vapor, which weakens any grime or dirt, making it stress-free to clean. Once you have steamed the stone, use a soft toothbrush to eliminate the remaining dirt.
Why Is My Aquamarine Stone Cloudy?
Your aquamarine stone might become cloudy due to its light color. However, if you wear your ring frequently and neglect regular cleaning, your aquamarine can lose its beautiful and shining appearance. Everyday wear can lead to the accumulation of dirt and grime on the stone, resulting in cloudiness and dullness.
How to Clean a Cloudy Aquamarine Ring
Maintaining the radiance of your cloudy aquamarine ring doesn’t have to be a daunting task. A simple and safe method for cleaning this delicate gemstone is using warm soapy water.
However, it’s essential to avoid harsh chemicals like hydrofluoric acid, as they can cause damage. Instead, opt for a mild soap, whether it’s hand soap or dishwashing liquid, to ensure the stone’s integrity remains intact. To clean your aquamarine ring, mix lukewarm water with a few drops of mild soap.
Gently scrub the stone with a soft bristle brush, taking care not to be too vigorous. Rinse the ring thoroughly and pat it dry with a soft, lint-free cloth. With this straightforward approach, you can enjoy the beauty of your aquamarine ring for years to come.
How to Clean the Metal Setting that Surrounds the Aquamarine
An aquamarine stone comes in different settings, so cleaning does not end when the gemstone is free from dirt. You also need to take care of the metal setting, which is available in different types, including stainless steel, gold, and silver settings.
You’ll need a jeweler’s cloth to clean aquamarine jewelry with a silver setting, and if your aquamarine stone features a stainless steel or gold setting, you’ll need to soak it in warm soapy water. Use a soft brush to gently scrub the entire ring, and once it starts sparkling clean, rinse it with running water and dry it using a soft cloth.
What to Avoid When Cleaning Aquamarine Jewelry
It is better not to wash aquamarine stones at all than to use products that will harm them. There are several things to remember when it comes to cleaning these stones, which include the following:
- Avoid using cleaning products containing ammonia or alcohol since they can damage the structure of the aquamarine stones
- Avoid abrasive products since they can easily scratch the ring, decreasing its value
- Avoid using ultrasonic jewelry cleaners unless your professional jeweler recommends
How Often Should You Clean an Aquamarine Ring?
If well-maintained, engagement rings can be worn each day, and they do not scratch easily. But, sometimes, cosmetics like lotion, body scrub, and shampoo can easily find a way into the stone setting. That means you need to clean your ring after a few weeks, and by cleaning it regularly across the month, too much dirt won’t accumulate.
How to Care for the Aquamarine Rings
Up to this point, you know how to clean and wash aquamarine rings; however, you also need to know all the things that can damage the structure of the stone. After all, your aim is to keep your aquamarine jewelry looking good and sparkling, and to ensure that, here are the things to avoid:
- Very thick lotions
- Wearing the ring while cooking and cleaning
- Not maintaining your ring
- Not removing your ring while doing vigorous activities
How to Store Aquamarine Ring
Storing your aquamarine jewelry is easy, as you just need to keep it safe. While the gemstone is durable, you must protect it by wrapping it in a soft piece of cloth and then keeping it in a jewelry box. Do not store your ring together with other jewelry since they can scratch each other.
Is Aquamarine Gemstone Durable?
Aquamarines are strong and durable gemstones as long as you take good care of them. On the Mohs Scale of Mineral Hardness, they score between 7.5 and 8 out of 10. Despite that, aquamarines can chip or scratch, so it’s important to be watchful when cleaning.
FAQs on Cleaning Aquamarine Ring
Can You Clean Aquamarine with Vinegar?
No, it is not recommended to clean aquamarine with vinegar. Vinegar, when used on jewelry with gemstones, can be potentially damaged, especially if the jewelry contains delicate porous stones. Avoid using vinegar and aluminum on any jewelry with gemstones to prevent damage.
Does Aquamarine Fade in Sunlight?
Yes, aquamarine is relatively hard but sensitive to sunlight and extreme temperatures. Over time, exposure to sunlight can cause aquamarine to fade. It’s essential to protect your aquamarine jewelry from prolonged sun exposure to maintain its vibrant color.
Can Aquamarine Lose Its Color?
Yes, aquamarine can lose its color, especially in the case of irradiated blue beryls. While mined and lab-created aquamarines are generally stable under all light sources, irradiated aquamarines may lose their color when exposed to light over time. To preserve the color of your aquamarine jewelry, store it away from direct sunlight and extreme temperature conditions.
What’s the Best Thing to Clean Aquamarine With?
The best thing to clean aquamarine is warm soapy water. This is the most affordable, safer, and easiest way to clean aquamarines.
Why is My Aquamarine Ring Cloudy?
Cloudy aquamarine ring, wondering why? Your aquamarine jewelry is cloudy because you haven’t cleaned it for a while. Because it has light color, it can get cloudy when you wear your ring regularly and fail to wash it as recommended by experts.
Can an Aquamarine Ring be Worn Every Day?
Aquamarines can be worn each day because they are strong gemstones. They have a hardness of between 7.5 and 8, making them suitable for everyday wear.
Can I Wear Aquamarine in the Shower?
You can wear aquamarines in the shower since water and soap don’t affect them negatively. However, they can damage due to minor accidents, and as a result, it’s recommended to remove your aquamarines when showering or doing any other strenuous activity.
Conclusion on How to Clean an Aquamarine Ring
Overall, keeping your aquamarine ring clean requires a careful approach to ensure its longevity and beauty. Knowing the hardness of the gemstone, using soap and water, avoiding harsh chemicals and hot water, and understanding the setting of the jewelry are all important factors to consider when cleaning your aquamarine ring. By following these simple DIY procedures, you can keep your exquisite piece of jewelry looking its best for years to come.