Sapphire is a precious and valuable gemstone that gets its deep-blue glow from its mineral base, Corundum. It's a relatively hard and durable gem, which makes it an optimal choice for everyday jewelry. Sapphires generally require little-to-no maintenance and can be cleaned easily at home.1. Use a soft, dry jewelry cleaning cloth to polish sapphire.&nbsp;Giving the gemstones an initial polish before using soap and water will remove some of the less stubborn smudges and tarnishes, making the entire cleaning process more effective and efficient.2. Fill a small bowl with warm water and dish detergent.&nbsp;You'll want to make sure that the water temperature ranges from warm to hot and that there is enough water in the bowl so that the sapphires can be completely submerged. Keep in mind that most types of dish soups or cleaning detergents will suffice. However, make sure the soap you're using possesses a degreasing agent.3. Place the sapphire in the warm, soapy water and let soak for a few seconds.&nbsp;This initial soak will help remove and/or loosen some of the remaining residue on the gemstone. This will also significantly reduce the risk of scratching the sapphire during the scrubbing process. 4. Scrub the rock gently with a damp cloth. After the sapphire has soaked, gently scrub it with a cloth or a soft-bristled toothbrush to clean the more resilient smudges and dirt. Most residue should come off relatively easy after the initial soak. You'll want to soak sapphires with more persistent residue or smudges for a longer period of time. 5. Rinse the stone and dry it with a soft cloth. After you've removed the sapphire from the bowl, run it under hot water to wash away any of the dirt or excess soap that may have left. Dry the sapphire completely with a dry jewelry or polishing cloth to prevent water stains, which are more prevalent when cleaning with hard water.

How to Clean Sapphires

If you’re on the hunt for a beautiful blue gemstone to add to your collection, there is certainly no shortage of options. From the well-known sapphire to the relatively newer tanzanite, from soft aquamarine to the brighter topaz, there is a blue gemstone for everyone. If you aren’t an expert gemologist, don’t worry. By choosing based on color and cost, you can determine which blue gemstone is right for you.&nbsp;1.Look at your gemstones in overhead lighting.&nbsp;Overhead lighting allows for the best viewing, and it will help you see the surface characteristics of the gem. A neutral-colored background will allow you to differentiate between the different shades and intensities of blue. By minimizing the visual “noise,” you can focus on the gemstone.<ul><li>Despite popular belief, natural light is not always the best light to examine gemstones. Natural lighting varies greatly depending on geographic location and time of day.</li><li>However, holding gemstones up to natural lighting is still a good supplementary view to get an idea of the gem's clarity.</li></ul> 2. Pick up the gemstone with tweezers.&nbsp;If you are going to be picking up the gemstone while examining it, it’s important to do so with tweezers. Using your fingers will cause smudging, which will certainly distract from the stone. Fingerprints will decrease the stone’s clarity and the color’s intensity.<ul><li>If you don't have tweezers on hand, try scooping the gem up with stiff card stock or something similar.</li><li>If you absolutely must pick it up with your hand, grasp it carefully and touch as little of the stone as possible.</li></ul> 3. Use a magnifying glass.&nbsp;By examining the gemstone with a magnifying glass, you can see qualities of the stone not visible to the naked eye. This will help you look closer at the surface of the stone, noting all of the gemstone’s most intricate characteristics. Use the magnifying glass to really observe the intensity of color and ensure it is the stone you want.<ul><li>Inspect the tone and consistency of the color. Also, look for internal flaws and inclusions.</li></ul>

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How to Clean Sapphires

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How to Choose a Blue Gemstone