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Written by Sameer
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In short: for most gemstones, warm water, a little mild soap and a soft brush are all you need, followed by a lint-free cloth to dry. Store every stone on its own so the harder ones cannot scratch the softer ones. Pearl, coral, opal, turquoise and emerald should be kept well away from ultrasonic cleaners, perfume, heat and chemicals, while sapphire, ruby, topaz and quartz are happy with daily wear.
Looking after your gemstones: a plain, practical guide from Authentic Gems in Karachi, for people in Pakistan who want their stones to last.
Day-to-day habits
- Make jewellery the last thing you put on, after perfume, lotion and hairspray.
- Take rings off before washing dishes, cleaning the house or doing heavy work.
- Give stones a quick wipe with a soft, slightly damp cloth after you wear them.
Cleaning, stone by stone
Hard stones such as ruby, sapphire and yellow sapphire can go into mild soapy water and be brushed gently. Softer or porous stones, including opal, pearl and feroza, should only be wiped, and kept away from heat, chemicals and long soaks.
| Stone | Hardness | Safe cleaning | Avoid |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sapphire, ruby | 9 | Warm soapy water, soft brush, ultrasonic if untreated | Ultrasonic on glass-filled stones |
| Topaz, emerald | 7.5–8 | Warm soapy water, soft cloth | Ultrasonic, steam, knocks (emerald chips) |
| Quartz family, aqeeq, citrine | 7 | Warm soapy water | Long spells in strong sunlight (colour can fade) |
| Opal | 5.5–6.5 | Damp cloth only | Heat, very dry air, chemicals, ultrasonic |
| Feroza, lapis | 5–6 | Dry or slightly damp cloth | Soaking in water, perfume, oils |
| Pearl, coral | 2.5–4 | Wipe after each wear | All chemicals, perfume, ultrasonic; keep apart from other stones |
Storing your stones
Give each piece its own soft pouch or a separate slot in a lined box, so harder stones never rub against softer ones. Pearls and opals do not like very dry conditions, so keep them out of places like a cupboard next to a heater or a constantly air-conditioned drawer.
Things to steer clear of
Ultrasonic cleaners, bleach and harsh chemicals do the most damage, above all to opal, pearl, feroza and emerald. If you are ever unsure, a soft cloth and mild soap will not hurt any stone.
Buying for the first time? Start with our gemstone buying guide.
A short checklist before you buy any stone
- Ask for the exact carat weight, the origin and any treatment. A vague listing is the first warning sign.
- Compare the price per carat with similar stones, not just the total.
- Ask whether the seller is comfortable with independent lab testing. An honest seller will be.
- Pay on delivery so you can see the stone before any money changes hands, and remember the 7-day return window.
The main points on gemstone care
- How you look after a stone depends on its hardness and whether it is porous or treated, so know what you own.
- Hard stones handle soap, water and a brush; soft and porous stones need a cloth and nothing more.
- Store stones apart, keep them away from heat and chemicals, and put jewellery on last.
Common questions
Can I clean all my gemstones the same way?
No. Warm soapy water suits hard stones like sapphire, ruby and quartz, but pearl, opal, feroza and emerald need gentler handling. Check the table above before you clean anything you are unsure about, and only a gem lab can tell you for certain whether a stone has been treated.
Where can I buy natural gemstones in Pakistan?
Authentic Gems is based in Karachi and sells natural stones, each listed with its own weight and photos, with Cash on Delivery across Pakistan and a 7-day return policy.
Should I see an astrologer before wearing a stone?
If you are wearing it for astrological reasons, yes. Our gemstones by zodiac sign guide gives the traditional pairings as a place to start.
How long does delivery take?
Orders are confirmed by phone or WhatsApp and dispatched within 1 working day. Karachi, including DHA, Clifton, Gulshan-e-Iqbal and North Nazimabad, usually gets parcels in 1 to 2 working days; Lahore, Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Faisalabad, Multan and Peshawar usually in 2 to 4; smaller towns in up to about 7. You open the box and check the stone in front of the rider, then pay, and delivery is a flat Rs. 500 per order.
How Authentic Gems can help
Not sure what you have? Send us a daylight photo of the stone, or of a listing you have seen somewhere else, on WhatsApp and we will tell you honestly what it looks like and how to care for it. If you decide to buy from us, every stone is listed with its exact carat weight, you can have it tested independently, and you inspect it before paying. If you don't, you still go away with a straight answer.
More guides
- Checking an original yaqoot: five simple tests
- Pukhraj (yellow sapphire): benefits and who wears it
- Real or fake feroza: how to tell
- Buying gemstones in Pakistan: prices, certificates and tips
Want to go further? See our gemstone price guide for Pakistan, or find your stone by zodiac sign.
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