What is it about gemstones and diamonds that makes them sparkle the way they do? And if they begin to lose a bit of their lustre, what can be done to bring it back?
For answers, we turned to Nicholas Rosset, President, Savoy’s Jewellers.
Turns out that unmistakable sparkle is due to two things actually. It’s the unique qualities of a diamond or gemstone’s crystal structure, as well as its chemical composition that make the light exiting its facets so bright and dispersive.
“The shape and cut of the gemstone can also influence the way light reacts with the stone,” he says.
How to care for your diamonds and gemstones
To keep these precious items clean at home, Nicholas has some advice. “The most important thing to ensure your diamonds and gemstones sparkle as brightly as possible is to keep them clean, particularly free of oils; this includes hand lotion, oil from your skin, hairspray, perfume, etc. As soon as there is a foreign substance on your stone, the refractive index changes and the light is negatively impacted.”
Take special care to avoid cleaners, as they can leave a residue behind, he warns. “Some gems are softer than others, so avoid anything abrasive with those,” he says. “If in doubt, ask our gemmologists for some advice.”
Savoy’s offers free jewellery cleaning at both locations, and they also sell jewellery cleaner you can use yourself at home; it is specially formulated to safely clean all jewellery and gems.
“Gemstones and diamonds can also lose brilliance if they are scratched or chipped,” he cautions. “Sometimes that requires replacement, but oftentimes gemstones or diamonds can be re-polished or re-cut.”
How stones are cut
The cutting is done before the stones arrive at Savoy’s. “There are mathematically determined proportions that must be met to achieve maximum brilliance,” Nicholas explains.
As gemmologists, they grade the gemstone based on many factors, including the adherence to the ideal cut proportions and polish quality. There are sometimes instances when a client requests that a gemstone deviate from those proportions, in which case they can have a stone cut and polished accordingly.
Colour, sparkle, and significance
If you’re looking for an especially striking piece of jewellery, many precious gemstones offer stunning colour in addition to great brilliance. Perennial favourites, along with their significance, according to the International Gem Society, include:
- Red rubies: Associated with power, wealth, and protection
- Green emeralds: Represent wit, elegance, and foresight; also fertility and immortality
- Blue sapphires: Said to attract wealth and protect the wearer from envy and infidelity; bring harmony and peace
- Purple amethysts: Linked with love, spirituality, peace, and tranquility
- Blue-green aquamarines: Thought to protect sailors, fishermen, and travellers; tranquility, courage, and harmony
- Reddish-pink garnets: Associated with love, friendship, light, and vitality
Savoy’s Jewellers is a local business, Canadian-owned and operated, and much of their inventory is made in Canada. Their in-house custom pieces are the pinnacle of supporting local.
To consult with a certified jeweller, visit Savoy’s Jewellers. You can also follow them on Facebook or Instagram.