Like any other precious entity, gemstones are also delicate in nature (depending on their hardness) and need to be handled with utmost care and caution. Certain gemstones are not durable in nature due to low rating on the Mohs scale of hardness. They are more prone to scratches, fractures, or permanent damage. No matter how hard you strive, if you wear a piece of gemstone jewelry on a regular basis, it will acquire mild to severe scratches with respect to time.
However, there is no need to worry as there are numerous efficacious and time-tested methods prevail that can completely remove the scratch marks from any gemstone jewelry and help it acquire a brand new look again. In this blog post, we have curated the best professional practices that are used to remove scratches on any piece of gemstone jewelry without causing any damage to both the gemstone and the jewelry part.
Table of Contents
How Gemstones Get Scratches
Gemstones are highly prized for their beauty, rarity, and durability. However, even the hardest gems can become scratched over time. Understanding how scratches occur on gemstones can help collectors care for and protect their treasures.
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What Causes Scratches on Gemstones?
There are umpteen ways that can cause scratches on the surface of a gemstone. Let’s review them one at a time.
Everyday wear – Jewelry gems are majorly exposed to frequent rubbing and abrasion from daily activities or better say activities that cause friction between two surfaces. Rings knock against tabletops, bracelets bang on desk edges, and necklace pendants bump up against zippers and buttons. This repeated contact causes tiny scratches on the surface over time.
Improper cleaning – Harsh cleaning agents like strong chemicals, stiff brushes, and ultrasonic cleaners can all cause mild to deep scratching on gemstone surfaces and facet edges. Even wiping gems with a paper towel can leave fine scratches on its surface.
Careless handling – Gems tossed in a jewelry box or dropped on a hard surface can easily pick up scratches. Gemstones rubbed against each other without protection can also become scratched.
Cutting and Setting – The cutting, faceting, and setting process inevitably leaves some minor scuffs and abrasions on gems. Jewelers use polishing agents and wheel brushes to minimize such marks.
Which Gemstones are Most Prone to Scratching?
Softer gem varieties are much more vulnerable to scratches than hard gems which have remarkable ratings on the Mohs scale of hardness. The Mohs scale ranks gems from 1 (very soft) to 10 (extremely hard). Examples:
Softer gems (Mohs below 7) – oyster pearl, amber, turquoise, opal
Moderately hard gems (Mohs 7-9) – lapis lazuli, topaz, emerald, ruby
Extremely hard gems (Mohs over 9) – diamond, yellow sapphire, ruby
Scratches are most visible on transparent gems with high clarity and lighter body colors like white sapphire or topaz. Translucent or dark-hued gems like emerald hide scratches better.
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How To Remove Scratches from Gemstone Ring? – Different Methods
Scratches from gemstones can be exterminated to a great extent if you stick to methods stated below. Let’s go through different methodologies to remove scratches from any gemstone jewelry.
Polishing – Polishing with increasingly fine polishing compounds can remove superficial scratches from many gemstones. The gem is sanded down just enough to eliminate the scratches while retaining as much original surface as possible. Polishing is done by jewelers with specialized equipment.
Re-cutting – For deeper scratches, re-cutting and re-faceting the gemstone may be necessary. This involves expert precision cutting to reshape the gem and eliminate damaged areas. The finished gem will be slightly smaller.
Laser Treatment – Lasers can sometimes reduce the visibility of scratches on diamonds and some other gems. Laser beams cause microscopic pits around and below the scratch, reducing its contrast against the surface. Results depend on scratch depth and stone quality.
Fracture Filling – For cracked or fractured stones like emeralds, filling the fissures with clear resin or oil reduces their visibility. This improves appearance but is considered a treatment. Filling is not effective for surface scratches.
Tumbling – Placing scratched gemstones in a barrel with abrasive media like plastic pellets or fine sand can slowly wear down scratches over time. Multiple rounds of tumbling may be needed to see results.
Surface Diffusion Treatment – Heating some gems like blue sapphire and ruby in different atmospheres allows surface atoms to migrate, essentially smoothing out very fine scratches. This is only effective for minor surface scratches.
Some Time-Tested Caring Tips for Gems to Avoid Scratches
Store gems safely apart from each other in compartments or pouches.
Clean only with gentle soap, water and a soft brush. Avoid ultrasonic and steam cleaners.
Take rings and bracelets off before physical activities to protect the gems.
Have gems checked annually and re-polished by a jeweler as needed.
Consider preventative applications like clear nail polish or a gemstone coating.
Scratches don’t affect a quality gem’s inherent beauty, but caring for gems properly helps preserve their pristine appearance for years to come. With some basic preventive measures, collectors can keep their gemstones looking their vibrant best.
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