Sirius gem cleaning tips

Never clean your fine jewellery with harsh chemicals as this can lead to corrosion on your settings. Instead, you can clean most fine jewellery by soaking it in a bowl of warm water with dishwashing soap.

Scrub with a soft toothbrush (I find children’s toothbrushes to be the best!), then lay out to dry.

Ammonia may sound like a very strong chemical, but it is actually a safe, natural product that is very effective in cleaning moissanite jewellery. If you think you will be sensitive to ammonia, wear goggles and gloves and work in an airy space. To make the solution, dilute 1 part ammonia with 1-2 parts water. Place your moissanite jewellery in the solution, then use a soft brush to clean the pieces thoroughly. Once complete, you can wash with soap and water, or simply rinse under running water.

Moissanite is tough enough to be used in ultrasonic cleaners and this is often a good way to restore the stone’s sparkle if faded. The intense vibrations can effectively get rid of the grime on your stone. Most jewellers use ultrasonic cleaners to professionally clean jewellery.

However, if the stone is mounted in a more fragile setting such as a pave setting, it is best to avoid using the ultrasonic cleaner as it can cause little stones to fall out. Nothing beats having your jewellery deep cleaned by a professional.

Getting your fine jewellery deep-cleaned at least once per year can help extend the life of your piece as well as ensure the shine is as brilliant as the day you bought it.