Amber is delicate and can be scratched easily. Store it carefully, and clean it with warm, soapy water and a very soft brush; never use steam or ultrasonic cleaners. Because amber can be damaged by acids and alcohol. Remove it when you work.

Remove amethyst jewellery before working -- it can be damaged by household cleaners. Store it out of sunlight (it may fade) and away from items that might scratch it. To clean it, use warm, soapy water; ultrasonic cleaners are usually safe as well. Avoid steam cleaning.

Clean aquamarine jewellery with warm, soapy water and a soft brush, and store it carefully to prevent scratching. Remove jewellery before working.

Although one of the hardest gemstones, one solid blow can cause the gem to split so it is recommended to remove blue topaz jewellery before working. Clean only with warm, soapy water and avoid exposure to high heat that can alter its colour.

To care for chalcedony, wash with warm soapy water or jewellery cleaner and a soft brush. Remove before doing any housework, or exposure to harsh chemicals.

Citrine can be fractured by an extreme or sudden temperature change, and high heat may cause it to loose colour. Remove jewellery before doing housework. Ultrasonic cleaning is usually safe for citrine; you can also use warm, soapy water.

Exposure to heat may cause emeralds to fracture. Emeralds may dry out if exposed to intense light. Because most emeralds have been treated by fracture-filling, the only safe way to clean them is in warm, soapy water -- don't scrub! To further prevent fracturing, remove them before working. Store emerald jewellery carefully.

Garnets are sturdy, but some varieties can chip. It's best to remove them before doing hard work. Sudden temperature changes may also cause fracturing. Avoid steam cleaning. Ultrasonic cleaning is usually safe; a bath in warm, soapy water is always safe.

Although jade is exceptionally tough, like any fine jewellery it's best to remove it before doing work or handling caustics. Clean it gently with warm, soapy water and store it carefully to avoid bumping other items.

Exposure to heat may cause the colour to change. Ultrasonic and steam cleaning methods are usually safe; washing with warm, soapy water is always safe.

Because opal is delicate, always remove your opal jewellery before working, especially with household cleansers. Exposure to high heat or a sudden temperature change can cause opals to fracture. Clean by washing with warm, soapy water; never use ultrasonic or steam cleaning methods. Store carefully to avoid contact with other jewellery

It's best to remove peridot jewellery before doing household cleaning. Peridot can be damaged by various acids and, over time, even by perspiration! It can also be fractured by a sudden temperature change. To clean peridot, use only warm, soapy water. Never use a steam cleaner; ultrasonic cleaning can also be risky.

Avoid prolonged exposure to bright light, sudden temperature changes, which may cause rose quartz to fracture, or high heat, which can change the stone's colour. Remove jewellery before working with household cleaners. Clean rose quartz with warm, soapy water.

High heat or chemicals can damage certain treated rubies; even though they are hardy, rubies are best cleaned with warm, soapy water. Only diamonds are harder than rubies, so store them carefully to avoid scratching other jewellery

These hardy stones are best cleaned with warm, soapy water. Store them carefully to avoid scratching other jewellery

Even though it's durable, smoky quartz can still be damaged by caustics and by high heat, which can cause colour loss, or by a sudden temperature change which may cause it to fracture. Warm, soapy water or ultrasonic cleaning are best; avoid steam cleaning.

This stone is as delicate as it is beautiful. Sudden temperature changes may cause it to develop cleavage, or breaks, along the stone's natural internal planes that are similar to a log's grain. Items like earrings and pendants are safer choices for everyday wear. Always remove tanzanite jewellery before working and don't expose it to household chemicals. Clean tanzanite only with warm, soapy water, and store it carefully.

Avoid high heat and sudden temperature changes, which can alter the colour. and cause breaks. Because topaz can develop cleavage, remove jewellery before working and, when wearing it, be careful not to strike it. Clean only with warm, soapy water.

Generally stable in light, tourmaline's colour. can be altered by high heat. A sudden temperature change can also cause tourmaline to fracture. To clean, use warm, soapy water; do not use ultrasonic or steam cleaners.

Although gemstones have survived in the ground for millions of years doesn't make then invincible. Look after them and they will look good forever.

People have always been attracted to gems. The popularity of certain gems varies according to style and fashion and the assignment of specific gems as birthstones dates from ancient times. See our comprehensive guide for more information.