Silver Jewelry Meets Sensitive Gemstones

Silver Jewelry and the Importance of Proper Care

Silver jewelry requires plating in order to remain durable and long-lasting.

This is because, without plating layers, silver can easily react with sulfur in the air or natural oils from the human body, causing it to tarnish and turn dark over time.

For this reason, silver jewelry generally needs plating more frequently than gold jewelry.

When plating is done repeatedly, it is essential to carefully consider the type of gemstone set in the jewelry. The key factor is whether the gemstone can withstand repeated exposure to heat during the plating process.

Silver jewelry set with treated or sensitive gemstones requires extra attention in both plating and maintenance.

If the gemstone is a treated stone or a sensitive gemstone, the stone must be removed from the setting before plating the silver, and then re-set afterward.

If the gemstone is not removed and the jewelry is immersed directly into a plating solution with a specific heat level, there is a high risk of damage, such as color changes, cracking, or internal structural alteration.

Maintenance Considerations and Setting Design

Because of these factors, maintenance is especially important for silver jewelry.

Since gemstones may need to be removed and reattached during each plating process, the prongs holding the stone should be designed slightly longer than usual.

If a customer prefers a bezel setting, this must be clearly discussed and explained from the beginning.

For faceted gemstones, longer prongs are usually less noticeable, whereas for smooth cabochon stones, longer prongs can be more visually apparent.

Unlike standard jewelry that is finished in its final tight setting, silver jewelry with sensitive gemstones should allow for slightly extended prongs. This makes the stone easier to remove and reset, and greatly improves convenience and safety during repeated maintenance.

What Are Sensitive Gemstones?

Sensitive gemstones are stones that may suffer color changes, internal structure alteration, or cracking when exposed to heat, chemicals, or plating solutions.

Examples of sensitive gemstones include:

Pearl, Opal, Turquoise, Coral, Emerald (treated), and Jade (treated).

These gemstones cannot tolerate repeated exposure to heat.

Therefore, when such gemstones are set in silver jewelry, the best practice during plating is to remove the gemstone first and plate the metal separately.

Conclusion

Silver jewelry is beautiful, but it also requires greater care and attention.

When combined with sensitive gemstones, proper maintenance and care are essential to preserve both the value and beauty of the jewelry over time.