Caring for gold set with diamonds & gemstones

The gold in your ring may be tough, but the stone sets the rules. Before cleaning anything set with gems, check this guide or let the usgoldapp app build a plan for you.

Stone-by-stone guide

*Not for fracture-filled, glass-filled or heavily included stones. Ask your jeweller if you are not sure.

Diamonds: grease magnets

Diamonds attract oil. A single fingerprint dulls their sparkle. A soapy soak and a soft brush under the stone, where light enters, restores them in minutes. Even so, check claws regularly: one knock against a door frame can bend a claw.

Emeralds: oiled from birth

Almost all emeralds are treated with oil or resin to fill natural fissures. Heat, steam, ultrasonic cleaners and solvents can draw the oil out and make the stone look cloudy or cracked. Wipe them with a damp, soft cloth and nothing more.

Pearls: last on, first off

Pearl nacre is soft and is dissolved by acids, including perfume, hairspray and even sweat. Put pearls on after your make-up and take them off before anything else. Wipe each pearl with a soft cloth after wearing.

Opals and turquoise: porous and sensitive

Both absorb liquids and can discolour. Opals contain water and can craze if exposed to dry heat or sudden temperature changes. Many are also doublets or triplets, glued in layers that soaking can loosen.

The tap test

Once a month, hold your ring close to your ear and tap the stone gently with a fingernail. Any rattle or movement means a claw has lifted. Stop wearing the ring until a jeweller has checked it.