Known for their intense brilliance and timeless elegance, emeralds are gemstones that require special care, especially when they are part of an antique piece of jewelry. Restoring an antique emerald piece of jewelry can restore it to its original splendor, but it is a delicate process that must be carried out with caution.

In this article, we will guide you through the essential steps to care for and restore your emeralds, what to do if they break, and how to perform emerald jewelry restoration.

10 steps to take care of an emerald

1. Avoid contact with chemicals: Emeralds are sensitive to substances such as detergents, perfumes and cleaning products. Keep your jewelry away from them.
2. Clean gently: Use a soft, clean cloth to clean the emerald after each use. Avoid hard brushes or abrasive materials.
3. Don't wear it during daily activities: Avoid wearing emerald jewelry during intense physical activities or household chores that may cause damage.
4. Store it in a suitable place: Place your jewelry in a padded case or soft bag to protect it from bumps and scratches.
5. Check the settings regularly: Make sure the prongs or settings holding the emerald are secure to prevent the stone from loosening or getting lost.
6. Avoid prolonged exposure to the sun: Emeralds can fade if exposed to the sun for too long. Store your jewelry in a cool, dark place.
7. Do not use hot water or steam to clean it: Emeralds have natural inclusions that can be affected by high temperatures. Use only warm water and mild soap.
8. Avoid knocks: Emeralds are relatively fragile compared to other gems. Avoid knocking or dropping the jewel.
9. Take it to a professional periodically: A specialized jeweler can perform a deep cleaning and check the condition of the stone and setting.
10. Keep it away from metal objects: Avoid contact with other metals or hard jewelry that can scratch the emerald.

What should I do if the emerald in my jewelry breaks?

If the emerald in your jewelry breaks, the first thing you should do (if possible) is to save all the fragments of the stone. Do not try to repair the emerald yourself, as this could damage it further. Instead, take the jewelry to an expert jeweler who can assess the damage and offer you the best repair options.

Some common solutions include:

• Cutting a broken emerald: If the damage is not too severe, the jeweler may recut the emerald to remove the imperfections. However, this will slightly reduce the size of the stone.
• Emerald Replacement: If the emerald is too damaged to be repaired, it can be replaced with a new stone of similar size and quality.
• Setting Repair: If damage occurred due to a loose or defective setting, the jeweler can adjust or repair the setting before installing a new stone.

How do you restore an emerald in an antique jewel?

Restoring an emerald into an antique piece of jewelry requires expert hands and a meticulous process. Here are the general steps:

1. Emerald and gem evaluation: The jeweler evaluates the condition of the stone and the setting. He or she analyzes the possibility of restoring the original emerald or the need for a new stone.
2. Cleaning the jewel: Before any work, the jewel is cleaned to remove traces of dust, oils and accumulated dirt, revealing the true state of the emerald.
3. Emerald Repair or Re-cut: If the emerald is damaged but can be repaired, the jeweler can re-cut or polish it to restore its brilliance.
4. Setting reinforcement: The setting is checked and adjusted to ensure that the emerald is securely fastened, avoiding future problems.
5. Replacement if necessary: ​​If the emerald cannot be restored, a stone with similar characteristics is sought that harmonizes with the aesthetics of the antique jewel.
6. Final mounting and polishing: The restored or new emerald is mounted in the jewel, and a final polish is performed to restore the piece to its original shine.

Restoring an antique emerald jewel not only restores its beauty, but also its sentimental value. It is always advisable to go to jewelers specialized in restoring historical pieces to obtain the best results.

Paula A. Bonilla

Social communicator and journalist from Sergio Arboleda University in Colombia. She is also a jeweler and is passionate about constantly learning about precious gems and national fine jewelry.

She currently works for one of the most important jewelry stores in Bogotá, Esmeralda by Love. This jewelry store has more than 40 years of experience and has 2 physical branches in the capital of Colombia, located in the city center.