How To Clean Old Chinese Turquoise
The steps used in learning how to clean old chinese turquoise are the same for any turquoise stone. |
Turquoise is one of the oldest stones used in ancient Egypt and even by Cleopatra. It is a protective stone worn and was carried by many a traveler in ancient times.
Whether the turquoise be Chinese turquoise or mined from any other mine around the world, this stone can be rather soft and care must be taken in the cleaning of the gem.
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Sometimes turquoise is treated to stabilize it before it is included in a piece of jewelry. This involves injecting it with an epoxy that will make the stone be a bit harder and less prone to fractures. In fact, most turquoise is stabilized but the same care should be taken in cleaning.
Old turquoise, can develop quite a patina over time as the contact with body oils and chemicals used in perfumes and other toiletries can change the color. Some find this patina to be quite desirable and would not want to clean it off at all. Old chinese turquoise can be shades of blue or green and range from light to dark. Most modern chinese turquoise included in jewelry is stabilized with a paraffin wax.
Wondering how to clean old Chinese turquoise? You should be very careful with the soft and porous stone. The best way to clean it is with warm soapy water. If your chinese turquoise is mounted in a piece of jewelry, submersing the piece entirely in the water is not recommended since the water can work it’s way into the cracks and crevices and cause deterioration of the metal and the stone over time. One method for cleaning is to take a Q-tip and dip it in the soapy water, then use that to rub over the stone. Rinse with clean water in the same manner. Never use ultrasonic cleaners or steam cleaner or any type of jewelry cleaning chemicals on your Chinese turquoise.
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