Hardness versus ToughnessWhen choosing a gemstone, color, clarity, cut and carat weight are critical. You want a diamond, ruby, sapphire or emerald or semiprecious stones to be a good match for your style and taste.

Once you choose your stone your pendant, ring, necklace, earrings or other jewelry, it is important to learn how to take care of your jewelry. Most gemstones are going to be hard and durable, but the toughness of gemstones vary, and will make a difference in the care you will need to take while wearing it.

Diamonds, for instance, are extremely hard – the hardest natural gemstone – but it can fracture with a sharp blow. Emeralds are more brittle than the green tsavorite semiprecious stone of the same color. This means an emerald ring will require a little more care when wearing to avoid chipping the stone.  Semiprecious tourmaline stones are tough, but lack the hardness of of other gems and can become scratched and scuffed through daily wear.

Many stones can be cleaned with water and a very mild detergent, but ultrasonic cleaners can cloud the surface of a stone that is not as hard enough for the cleaning method.

Though gemstones are very durable, Jewels on Hampton recommends removing jewelry when performing tasks such as cleaning or exercising where rings, bracelets or similar jewelry might be struck, or abraded. When selecting jewelry with gemstones, discuss with the experts at Jewels on Hampton your lifestyle such as what you like to do and how you work. We will advise you on any special caution you may want to take with your new jewelry.

We are happy to clean your jewelry if you are concerned about damaging it. A little caution when wearing your gemstone jewelry will help keep it looking beautiful for decades.

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