Archive for November 16th, 2009
Separate ‘Hard’ and ‘Soft’ Jewelry
You’ve probably heard gold and silver referred to as precious metals. While that designation refers to the relative scarcity of the metals, it could also be used to imply fragility. While gold and silver bands might seem durable, they can be scratched and damaged through contact with certain gemstones. In order to preserve your jewelry as long as possible, it’s best to keep it separated.
Let the Mohs scale of mineral hardness be your guide. Diamonds score a 10 out of 10 on the scale, meaning that they are hard and strong enough to inflict damage on soft metals and pearls. Gold and silver rank a scant 3 on the scale, so it’s best to keep bands and the like out of harm’s way. A diamond ring could be stored together with other hard gems such as sapphire, ruby and topaz.