How to restore gemstones from wet moisture?

Question

This is for research for my novel. I know that metal can break and get rusty. But what are the other ways to restore gems if possible?

I meant moisture from a cave, after it's been there for a long time. Metal has to do with the setting of rings, or the claspings of earrings, bracelets, etc. Or jewelry made from silver or gold like earrings as in studs. Does this help?

Answer 1

Wetness (moisture) acts upon metal in a different way than it does on gemstones.

You are correct; moisture can wreak havoc on metal. However, most gemstones, like most other rocks, not only usually have no difficulties caused by exposure to moisture, many benefit from that exposure.

Remember, gemstones are only a class of rock. As a lapidarist (someone who cuts rocks into cabochons) and a faceter (someone who facets rocks into faceted gemstones), I use abundant amounts of water during the sawing, grinding, sanding and polishing processes to produce my final gemstones. The water protects the gemstones/rocks from heat and protects me from breathing air filled with their dust.

Instead of concern about moisture's effect on gemstones, most people should be concerned about the effect of dryness/lack of humidity on their gemstones. It is unfortunate, but many people who store gemstone jewelry in safes untouched for years find some of those stones ravaged by the time and the dry conditions of the safe.

Look for specifics on storing gemstones and the forces which can harm them by researching specific gemstones--each rock is different.

As for restoring gemstones. . . if it is possible to restore a gemstone from damage of some kind, it normally involves re-sanding and/or re-polishing them by hand. This is a labor-intensive and expensive proposition and it's better to use an ounce of prevention than a pound of cure.

Answer 2

There is little that will affect jewellery in the conditions to be found in a cave. Gold will remain quite undamaged and silver will only develop a surface tarnish. As for stones there are very few other than turquoise that will be damaged by immersion in water for long periods and this colour change can sometimes be reversed by soaking in dilute ammonia solution for some time but this needs to be done with great care. The only other problem that may occur in a cave environment is that the items may get a coating of calcium carbonate (the mineral which forms the stalactites in caves) This can be removed easily by the use of dilute acids such as 10% formic acid which will not affect gold or silver mountings.
Good luck with your book, I know what a hard process writing can be from personal experience.

Answer 3

"wet" and "moisture" appear to be the same thing, so what is "wet moisture"....and what does metal have to do with gemstones? Maybe you should clarify you question, or better yet learn how to properly communicate before attempting to write a novel. Would you run before you could walk?