If more serious cleaning is required, then use a good jeweller’s rouge or jewellery cleaning dip. They can damage pearls and gem-set jewellery. A mild soap in water is usually enough to clean it. Remember the backs! Gently pat the jewellery dry. However, if your silver is gem-set see below for advice on specific gemstones to be sure what is safe to use.

Opals contain almost one-third water and are therefore particularly vulnerable to even moderate temperature changes. Remove from heat and allow the gemstones to soak in the solution until it cools. Thermal shock happens when a stone is instantly transported from one extreme temperature to another. They are all nature's gifts to us. There are more than 40 popular gem varieties and many rarer collector gemstones.

Next, many gems are crystals which are classified by their crystal system such as cubic or trigonal or monoclinic. They may have luminescence and a distinctive absorption spectrum. For example, diamonds are made of carbon (C) and rubies of aluminium oxide (Al2O3). Another term used is habit, the form the gem is usually found in. For example diamonds, which have a cubic crystal system, are often found as octahedrons.

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