Emerald Care

Congratulations on Your Fine Emerald Jewelery Piece! The color of the Colombian emerald is the finest and most sought after in the world. This pure velvety green is a result of extremely rare geological conditions found only in the remote Andes Mountains of Colombia.

Emerald is harder than quartz or tourmaline and resists most scratching and wear. It is less hard than diamond and sapphire however, and like all gems, it may be damaged if dropped or bumped hard. Also, small microscopic fissures are common to emerald due to their crystal nature and current mining methods. In the processing that takes place after cutting and polishing, emerald fissures that reach the surface (if any) are masked with a colorless oil or resin to reduce the visibility of those fissures. This simple and low-tech process is accepted as normal by the gem industry and is called clarity enhancement which may be minor, moderate or heavy. Emerald color, however, is unaltered and natural.

INSTRUCTIONS FOR THE CARE OF YOUR EMERALD JEWELERY

I. Do not leave your emerald ring on while washing dishes or washing with soap. This is because the diamonds as well as the emerald attract grease and soap. As these substances accumulate on the bottom of the gemstones, they cause them to lose their lively brilliance.

II. For resizing or repairs take it only to knowledgeable, professional jewelers. Sometimes trying to save a little on a cut-rate job may cause extensive damage. Take it to Emerald House and we will resize it for free.

III. Do not clean the ring in ultrasonic cleaners, steam cleaners or acetone. These may cause damage to the stone or the setting. Avoid strong soaps, 'jewelry cleaner' liquids or other cleaners.

IV. HOW TO CLEAN:

Clean your emerald jewelery by using room temperature running water and a soft toothbrush: brush repeatedly on the underside of the emerald (and diamonds) to remove accumulations of dirt and grease. Use a mild soap like hand soap or Woolite. You will see that the diamonds begin to sparkle like new and the emerald will brighten. After drying the gold can be rubbed with a polishing cloth.

NOTE: If you have an enhancement disclosure for your retail customers you must add that emerald color is unenhanced. Too many people think that emeralds are heat treated and color enhanced!!!! I know this from owning an emeralds-only jewelry store in San Francisco for three years. I always tell people that emerald color is natural - only the clarity is enhanced by a low-tech process using colorless oil or resin in surface-reaching fissures.

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