Last updated on June 19, 2023
Have you ever thought you could turn your dishwasher into a jewellery cleaning and sanitizing machine? With the collaborative invention of an independent business owner and jewellery designer, David Bellman, an American author, entrepreneur, and supermodel, Kathy Ireland, it became possible to clean and sanitize your jewels from the convenience of your home with GemSpa.
What Is GemSpa by Kathy Ireland?
GemSpa™ by kathy ireland® is a home jewellery sanitizing system created by David Bellman, the president of Bellman Jewelers, one of the largest independent jewellery stores in New England, and a graduate gemologist with over 25 years of experience.
The idea of his brainchild came after Bellman noticed a common trend – people would spend so much money on their jewellery but would not care for it properly, letting their jewels look dull and dirty. Not to mention that numerous laboratory testing showed that dirt accumulated on jewellery included dangerously high levels of bacteria and harmful viruses, leading to infections that may impact our entire family.
When it came to the development of the system, Bellman enlisted Dean Kamen, one of the world’s most prolific inventors, and partnered with Kathy Ireland, a supermodel who turned into a successful entrepreneur, to bring his idea to life. That is how GemSpa by Kathy Ireland, a simple use home jewellery cleaning and sanitizing system that turns your dishwasher into a powerful jewellery cleaning machine, was created.
How GemSpa by Kathy Ireland Works
GemSpa is made with patented surgical grade stainless steel diffuser plates that are designed to convert streams of water from the dishwasher into a soft spray, heat-resistant high-grade polymer and no mechanical parts, which ensure a lifetime of clean and sanitized jewellery. According to its creator, GemSpa is the only home jewellery cleaner that can remove 99.9% of bacteria with only one full cycle in the dishwasher if combined with GemSpa Proactive Antibacterial Hydrogel.
The device has been tested by us and it is very easy to use. First, you need to load your jewellery into the GemSpa by placing each item in its designated area. Once loaded, slide the lock until you hear an audible click sound to ensure your pieces will not fall out of the machine. Then, you will need to apply the GemSpa Antibacterial Hydrogel to the top centre channel. The next step is to load the GemSpa into your dishwasher and set it for a normal cycle. After the cycle is over, take the GemSpa out, unlock it and remove your clean and sanitized jewellery.
It is important to mention that if your jewellery has not been professionally cleaned for several months, it may be necessary to run up to three full wash cycles in a row to remove all of the built-up dirt and bacteria.
According to research, bacteria loads on your jewellery reach a dangerous level within a week of daily wear, which is why it is recommended to clean your jewellery in GemSpa once a week.
It is also worth mentioning that you can load GemSpa while cleaning your dishes. Dishwashing soap will not harm your jewellery and gemstones. Cleaning your jewellery and dishes at the same time is not only convenient but also saves water and energy.
What Can and Cannot Be Cleaned In GemSpa
GemSpa is safe to use with the following gemstones: almandine, amethyst, ametrine, andalusite, aquamarine, chrome diopside, chrysoprase, citrine, cubic zirconia, diamond, garnet, golden beryl, green tanzanite, grossular garnet, iolite, kunzite, morganite, onyx, peridot, precious topaz, rhodochrosite, rhodolite, rose quartz, rubellite, ruby, sapphire, spinel, tanzanite, topaz, tourmaline, tsavorite and zircon.
The following list of gemstones cannot be cleaned in GemSpa: amber, apatite, assembled gemstones, composite gemstones, coral, costume gemstones, cultured pearls, dyed gemstones, emerald, epoxy mounted gemstones, glass-filled gemstones, jade, lapis lazuli, larimar, opal, stabilized gemstones, Swarovski crystals and turquoise.
There are also some dos and don’ts with specific metals and types of jewellery. GemSpa by Kathy Ireland is safe for fine gold, platinum, sterling silver, titanium, carbide, rhodium-plated silver, gold-plated silver and gold-filled jewellery. Please note that you should not clean watches in your GemSpa.
Is GemSpa by Kathy Ireland Safe?
This jewellery cleaning and sanitizing method is new to most people, so safety is understandably the most common concern. GemSpa™ by kathy ireland® is secure! It has been laboratory tested numerous times and has never damaged jewellery or stones intended to be cleaned in the machine. Moreover, GemSpa has a $1 million insurance policy protecting your jewellery every time you use it.
With this being said, it is important to emphasize that daily wear and tear, as well as, accidental hits can loosen and damage your setting or prongs. If the prongs are damaged, the stone can fall out during the cleaning process, but it will be kept safe and secure in the GemSpa if you have locked it correctly so you can take your piece to a jeweller for repair.
