Shelley, I am sorry for the mishap. Folks write me fairly often with tales of bad of experience with some jewelry cleaners. As a side note, keep in mind you can use a gentle dish detergent and water to clean jewelry of all sorts, including coral and pearls.
Shelley, I am sorry for the mishap. Folks write me fairly often with tales of bad of experience with some jewelry cleaners. As a side note, keep in mind you can use a gentle dish detergent and water to clean jewelry of all sorts, including coral and pearls. Now, to the real question: Can the coral be salvaged. Well, that depends. Sorry for that “depends” but it all hinges on possibly two things: Does the cleaner contain ammonia? Is the coral in the form of branches or cut into stones? Ammonia is common in jewelry cleaners but is not recommended for pearls, coral and other organic or softer, porous gemstones. The surfaces of coral and pearls can be damaged by ammonia. Sometimes, damage is only a dulling of the surface shine, almost like the “grain has raised” as with a piece of wood after getting wet. Sometimes, damage is more apparent in discoloration. What to do depends on the cut of the stones or if in branch form. Stones cut from coral are generally repolished fairly easily and a je
