Moonstone is a variety of feldspar. Moonstone is typically cut and polished for a smooth surface and set within jewelry. Dirt in the air can be easily attracted to the surface of the stone, so there will come a time that you need to clean your moonstone. This is a delicate task because moonstone is much softer than most gemstones, so it's easy to scratch the surface.
Instructions
1. Assess whether the moonstone is secured in its setting before you begin cleaning it. You need to make sure it will not fall out of its posts before you handle it. Gently wiggle the stone in the jewelry to check this.
2. Boil water in a small pot. Let the water cool until it is lukewarm.
3. Add a drop of a mild, vegetable-based liquid soap into the warm water. Create soap suds by mixing it together with the end of the toothbrush. Place the moonstone in the solution and let it soak for five minutes to help the soap dislodge the dirt.
4. Remove the moonstone from the water. Scrub the stone with the toothbrush, using gentle, circular motions. Pay attention to the edge of the jewelry, where the moonstones meet the metal or other material it is set in. These areas attract dirt well, and they need to be scrubbed with the brush.
5. Rinse the moonstones under a stream of fresh lukewarm water. Use the toothbrush to lift any further grit from the moonstone, then give the stone once final rinse until all soap suds and dirt are gone.
6. Hold the moonstone in a soft cloth and begin buffing it. Use gentle, circular motions with your thumb until the stone's natural shimmer is restored.
Tags: circular motions, gentle circular, gentle circular motions, soap suds, with toothbrush