Repeated contact with cleaning agents and hand sanitisers can break down the brilliance or vivid colour of gemstone jewellery over time. In light of the coronavirus pandemic, alcohol-based hand sanitisers can kill the virus, but it can wreak havoc on your precious gems.
In the way of practising good hygiene, make sure that your jewellery doesn’t lose its charm and lustre. To prevent this, you need to understand the relationship between jewellery and hand sanitiser. Hand sanitisers come in two types: Alcohol-based hand sanitisers - It’s mixed with isopropyl or ethyl alcohol, glycerin, water and fragrance.
Alcohol-free hand sanitisers -
It contains antibacterial contents like triclosan and antiseptics like povidone-iodine and chloride cleaning agent. The chemicals and compounds used in hand sanitisers and cleaning agents can be bad for your jewellery. Hand sanitisers also consist of halogens that can wear or tarnish the plating. Speaking about soaps, it also contains harsh abrasives that damage the surface plating. These chemicals can ruin your jewellery faster as compared to natural wear and tear.
Must always take off your jewellery when applying hand sanitiser to refrain it from getting dingy. Also, be mindful about where you place it.
To maintain your diamonds and gemstones, add a few drops of dishwashing soap in warm water and soak your gems. Gently scrub all the residue using a soft-bristled brush. Make sure you allow them to dry completely before putting your jewellery back on. Do it once in every 15 days.
Refrain from using alcohol-based sanitisers, especially with your jewellery on. The best way is to remove your jewellery before using a sanitiser as it can lose the lustre and shine of your pearl ring. Another alternative is to put on your gloves whenever you’re doing household chores. With this, you don’t need to sanitise or wash your hands frequently.
It's important to think about your safety first and avoid wearing jewellery considering the situation now. Before placing in the drawer, make sure you clean it to make it virus-free.
