Diamonds 💍 are forever but are all gemstones?
Diamonds 💍 are forever, but does this apply to all gemstones?
I would love to say yes ... but the reality is not all of them are.
What is the life span of a gemstone?
Just like anything, a gemstone has a life span. What that life span is varies according to several factors including what stone it is, how often you wear it and how you care for it.
Gemstones are Minerals
Pretty as they are, it is important to remember that gemstones are minerals. The combination of the different chemicals is the main reason for their beautiful colouring. Be mindful of this if they are damaged.
Gemstones also come in different hardnesses and are graded according to a scale called Moh’s with 1 being very soft and 10 being very hard. This information is available on Wristocropedia but in simple terms, the higher the Moh’s rating, the longer the stone should last. The lower the stone is on the scale - the more care you need to take and the shorter the life span of the stone may be.
Do you wear your bracelets occasionally or every day? Constant wear and contact with skin oils, perfume and water take a toll on gemstones. This is why I always include care and safety instructions with all jewellery purchases that suggest that you remove jewellery before entering water. Will it survive the odd shower? Probably, however it will take a toll in the long run. The better care you take of your jewellery the longer it will last. I always include information on how to care for your Wristocracy with all purchases, however if you have lost it - it is available on the website.
If your Wristocracy breaks
If your Wristocracy piece breaks collect all the beads and place them in a sealed bag. I am happy to remake most pieces for a small charge, but there are also times when it is not appropriate for me to remake but instead I may suggest its replacement. This is because the beads have reached the end of their lifespan.
When should I retire my bracelet?
The polish on a bead is not only there to make the stone look pretty, it is also there to keep the stone safe by keeping the minerals sealed and any nasties safe from harms way.
Just like anything the more you use it or wear it the more worn out a piece can get. With regard to beaded jewellery wear and tear damage generally happens more to those gemstones that have a relatively low Moh’s - but when your bracelet looks a bit tired and the polish has gone it may be time to think about retiring it.
For more information check out Wristocropedia or message me for any queries.
If a bead or bracelet breaks. I recommend that you collect all the beads and place them in a sealed bag. Contact the maker as they may repair.
Most beads will survive the odd dip in water - however for longevity I recommend keeping beads out of water as some gemstones may begin to breakdown in water.