How to Clean an Amethyst Ring
M.H. DYER
LIFE
Although amethyst is the birthstone for people born in February, anybody can style an amethyst ring. In fact, legends say that Cleopatra's jewelry box contained at least one amethyst ring. Made from a type of quartz, amethyst is available in a range of shades from pale mauve to deep, reddish-purple. This tough gem holds up well to regular cleaning, which brings out the lustrous shine without fading the color or causing damage to the stone.
Mix one part window cleaner to two parts warm water in a glass jar. You can also use general-purpose household cleaners as long as they don't contain abrasives or chlorine bleach.
Soak your ring in the solution for several hours, or overnight.
Rinse the ring thoroughly with lukewarm water to be sure all traces of cleaner are removed.
Scrub the ring and the settings gently with a soft, unused baby toothbrush.
Dry the ring with a soft cotton cloth or jeweler's cloth, then buff it thoroughly for extra shine.
- Never expose your amethyst ring to steam or boiling water because high temperatures can damage the stone.
- If you clean your ring over the sink, be sure to plug the drain before you begin.
- Never clean your amethyst ring with toothpaste, because most toothpastes contain abrasive elements.
- Ultrasonic jewelry cleaning machines are safe for amethyst; however, clean only one piece of jewelry at a time to prevent the pieces from banging together. Be sure the setting is secure before you begin.
- Although amethysts are tough, it's important to remove your ring before swimming or sitting in a hot tub. The chlorine may damage the metal.
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