To keep your B.Caldwell Creation design in excellent condition we recommend the following care:
- Remove all jewelry prior to swimming, gardening, cleaning, heavy lifting and applying cosmetics. Chemicals in cosmetics, swimming pools and cleaning agents may damage metals, beading materials, and patinas.
- Store designs inside a fabric-lined box or wrapped in a soft cloth to prevent damage from other gemstones and metals.
- The best cleaning method for most gemstones is to simply use warm, soapy water and a soft brush. Please see specific instructions for each gemstone.
- Be sure the stone and any settings are thoroughly dry before storing or wearing the jewelry.
- It is best to avoid prolonged exposure to direct sun and extreme heat.
- To clean the sterling elements of your design, avoid gemstones when cleaning with silver polish. We recommend a cloth specific for jewelry cleaning.
- Polishing cloths and anti-tarnish strips are available through our website.
Gemstone Care:
Agate – Blue Lace
Agates tend to be hardy stones, making it a cinch to clean these gems. The best method is to rinse agates in warm soapy water and use a soft brush to remove any extra dust or debris. Due to the soft color, some people assume blue lace agate is less hardy than other agates, but don't let the color fool you. It's still not the best idea to use harsh cleaners though, especially if your agate has been enhanced through any dyeing techniques.
Agate – Crazy Lace
Clean crazy lace agate using warm soapy water and a soft brush. Although it has a high hardness, crazy lace agate can still be scratched or damaged by gemstones with a higher hardness, as well as other materials. Avoid using household chemicals when cleaning crazy lace agate beads, components or jewelry. This stone can be sensitive to heat, especially if they are dyed stones, and prolonged exposure to sunlight can fade color-enhanced types. Store crazy lace agate inside a fabric-lined box or wrapped in a soft cloth.
Tree Agate
Agates are generally tough stones, but the best cleaning method for tree agate is to simply use warm, soapy water and a soft brush. It is not recommended to use harsh chemicals when cleaning agate gemstones. Be sure to thoroughly dry tree agate jewelry after cleaning to ensure there is no residual moisture that could cause adverse reactions such as rust in metal settings. Store tree agate jewelry inside a soft cloth or at least away from other stones so as not to run the risk of scratching this agate against a harder stone or of scratching a less hard stone.
Amazonite
Amazonite is sensitive to chemicals, abrasives, heat, acids and ammonia. Never use a steamer, hot water or ultrasonic cleaners with this gemstone. Use mild soap and room temperature tap water with a soft cloth to retain the luster of the gemstone.
Amethyst
This stone is fairly hard and durable so it can be cleaned using a steamer and ultrasonic cleaner.
Aventurine
Aventurine can fade with prolonged exposure to the sun, so store gems in a dark place. It also reacts to extreme temperatures, so keep this gemstone off the dash of your car in summer or in winter. Be sure to clean this gemstone in warm soapy water and a soft cloth or brush. This gemstone's hardness makes it durable, but it can be sheared, so keep it separate from other gemstones. Keep away from household chemicals.
African Bloodstone
African Bloodstone can be cleaned using warm water, a mild soap and a soft cloth. Be sure to rinse the stone and pat it dry before storing. While it is difficult to scratch, it is not impossible to damage (and it certainly can damage other stones), so store bloodstone separately in a fabric bag.
Carnelian
Clean carnelian stones with warm soapy water and a soft brush. Rinse the stone well after washing it. Do not steam clean and do not boil carnelian. It is usually safe to use an ultrasonic cleaner. Protect carnelian from sharp blows, extreme temperature changes and harsh chemicals.
Flourite
To clean fluorite, use warm water and a mild soap. Wash the surface with a soft cloth and remove any soap residue. Do not use harsh chemicals because they present a high risk of damaging the surface. Since fluorite is a colored mineral, the use of sonic cleaners or steamers should be avoided. Fluorite can easily be scratched with a knife or other sharp objects, so fluorite jewelry should be stored separately from any other jewelry items that can easily scratch it.
Goldstone
Like any fine glass, goldstone can be cleaned by dipping it in lukewarm water with a drop of detergent added. Wipe over the surface with a cotton wool ball to remove dirt. Use a soft brush for hard to reach areas. Rinse with clean water by dipping the goldstone into a bowl of lukewarm water without detergent or by wiping with a damp swab. Blot dry using paper towels or a soft cloth.
Howlite
Howlite is a soft stone, so it can easily be scratched. With its calcium structure, it is also vulnerable to many chemical cleaners, acidic perspiration and damage from sand and dust. To clean howlite, use lukewarm, slightly soapy water and a soft cloth (cotton is best). Rinse well to remove residue and pat dry. Store howlite wrapped in soft cloth within a separate box or pouch to reduce the likelihood of damage.
Jasper – Dalmation
The easiest way to clean Dalmatian jasper beads and jewelry is with warm soapy water and a soft cloth. Be sure the stone and any settings are thoroughly dry before storing or wearing the jewelry. Store Dalmatian jasper away from harder stones so as not to risk accidental scratches and blemishes.
Jasper – Leopardskin
Though jaspers are durable stones, including leopardskin jasper, the best method for cleaning this gemstone is to wash with warm, soapy water and soft cloth or brush. To preserve polish, a clean soft, dry cloth is all that is necessary. Remove jasper jewelry before playing sports or any other activity leading to perspiration. Clean jaspers quickly if they become dirty to preserve the colors of this porous stone. It is also best to avoid prolonged exposure to extreme heat. Prolonged heat is used to change color in quartzes. When storing leopardskin jasper jewelry, wrap in a cloth or a fabric bag so it cannot scratch softer materials or be scratched by metals or harder gemstone.
Jasper - Moukaite
Jasper gemstones are members of the quartz family. These are durable stones and can be found in a range of jewelry designs, with an equal range of exposure to dirt and wear. Remove jasper jewelry before playing sports or any other activity leading to perspiration.
Clean jasper jewelry with a soft dry cloth to preserve polish. Clean quickly if the jewelry becomes soiled, as jaspers can be porous and easily stained. Wash with warm, soapy water and a soft cloth or soft brush. Dry thoroughly.
Avoid prolonged exposure to extreme heat, as prolonged heat is used to change color in quartzes. When storing jasper, wrap in a cloth or a fabric bag so it cannot scratch softer materials or be scratched by metals or harder gemstones.
Jasper - Picasso
The best method for cleaning Picasso jasper is to wash with warm, soapy water and a soft cloth or brush. Remove this gemstone before playing sports or any other activity leading to perspiration. It is also best to avoid prolonged exposure to extreme heat. When storing Picasso jasper jewelry, wrap in a cloth or a fabric bag so it cannot scratch softer materials or be scratched by metals or harder gemstones.
Jasper – Picture
Jaspers are durable materials, yet the best method for cleaning picture jasper is to simply use warm soapy water with a soft cloth or brush. Be sure to dry the stone and all jewelry settings thoroughly before storing or wearing.
Lepidolite
Lepidolite should be kept away from harsh household chemicals. Clean lepidolite with warm, soapy water. Rinse off any soapy residue and wipe using only a soft cloth. It is advisable to remove any lepidolite gems or jewelry before exercising, playing sports or engaging in other vigorous activities such as household chores. To prevent scratches and fractures, lepidolite should be stored separately from other gems and jewelry. For extra protection, wrap lepidolite jewelry using a soft cloth and place into a fabric-lined jewelry box.
Malachite
Malachite is especially fragile, easily scratched and can become dull. So protect it from scratches, sharp blows or large temperature changes that will fracture, shatter or chip it. The surface of malachite is usually fortified with artificial resin. Do not clean malachite in a home ultrasonic cleaner because the protective resin surface can be damaged or removed.
Malachite is sensitive to heat, acids, ammonia, and hot waters. Rinsing malachite in clean water is safe. Let it air dry and store away from other metals or gemstones that might damage the surface. Remove malachite jewelry when doing heavy work that might scratch it such as gardening or mechanics.
Mahogany Obsidian
Obsidian is considered a durable material and can be safely cleaned using a soft cloth and soapy water. Soap residue can build up on it, so rinse well and polish after. As with most gemstones, ultrasonic cleaners and steamers are not recommended. Take care to store obsidian in a soft case away from hard objects as it can be easily scratched.
Snowflake Obsidian
This durable stone is easy to care for: just wash gently in warm, soapy water.
Rose Quartz
Rose quartz is fairly hard, so it can be cleaned with an ultrasonic cleaner. Avoid heat with most forms of colorful quartzes to prevent hue shift. Store rose quartz out of direct sunlight to preserve its color.
Rhodochrosite
To clean rhodochrosite, use cool water and a soap, untreated cloth. Thoroughly dry rhodochrosite and any settings before storing or wearing. Protect rhodochrosite jewelry when it is not worn by storing in a soft pouch to avoid contact with other harder gemstones or materials that could potentially scratch or cleave the gem.
Rhodonite
Rhodonite is certainly not the toughest gemstone, but it is actually fairly resilient when it comes to the various cleaning methods that can be used. The most common and safest method for cleaning rhodonite is to use warm soapy water and an untreated cloth, but steaming can also be used and ultrasonic machines are usually safe. It's best to use the mildest method first. It is not recommended to boil rhodonite as a cleaning method. After cleaning rhodonite, store this gemstone away from harder gems or materials to avoid creating surface imperfections.
Sodalite
While sodalite is a tough stone (long-lasting and durable), it is not a hard one (can be scratched). It is sensitive to pressure, high temperatures and household cleaners. Avoid exposing sodalite to bleaches or sulfuric acid. Clean with warm, soapy water and a soft cotton cloth.
Tigereye
As a form of quartz, tigereye is remarkably durable and resilient. However, it is sensitive to acids in some common household cleaners and solvents. Avoid bleach, ammonia and sulfuric acid. Ultrasonic and steam cleaners are generally safe for quartzes--even pseudomorph quartzes--although caution should be used with the steamers due to possibilities of color shifts by heating. Warm water and a mild soap are safe to use. A soft cloth is recommended, although quartz's higher hardness does help it resist minor scratching.
Turquoise
Turquoise is a hydrous compound of copper and aluminum, so it loses color when it loses water. To keep your turquoise from becoming dehydrated, it is a good idea to water it, as you would your houseplants, with pure saline water periodically to revive or maintain color. Turquoise is porous, so chemicals can damage it. Use only pure water and a soft cloth to wipe it clean, and you can clean your turquoise frequently without causing damage. The natural oil of your skin is good for turquoise, and it will naturally polish it when you wear it. If it is set in silver, wearing if often will also keep the silver from tarnishing. Silver polish will damage the surface of turquoise.
Don't store turquoise with harder gemstones or other materials that might rub against it and cause damage. Turquoise can fade in sunlight, excessive sweat, chlorine bleach and dishwater.
Unakite
Unakite is not a porous stone, but it can be sensitive to chemical cleaners due to its composite makeup. Avoid using ultrasonic and steam cleaning, as unakite can cleave under impact and heat can change this stone's colors. A soft cloth or brush with mild soap and warm water are ideal. Rinse off all cleaners, then pat dry with a soft cotton cloth.
Ruby Zoisite
Ruby zoisite is an easy-to-cleave stone; it will sheer into pieces along very crisp and clear boundaries, much like splitting a dry piece of wood. This also makes ruby zoisite vulnerable to impact. Even though it is a relatively hard gemstone material, ruby zoisite shouldn't be exposed to high heat, sharp cold, sudden temperature changes or direct light. Avoid steam and ultrasonic cleaners--plain soapy water and a soft cotton cloth are your best bet.