See Caution in the left information box.
| Gemstone | Care Instructions | Gemstone | Care Instructions |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alexandrite | Generally stable to light, heat & chemicals. Do not boil. Sonic OK, ultrasonic with care (jewelers only). | Jade (Jadeite & Nephrite) | Often polished with wax finish. Other- wise, very tough. Avoid high heat, solvents, acids & strong light. Soak briefly in ammonia, brush & Water-Pik. |
| Amber | Easily damaged by heat, pressure, and chemicals. Wipe or soak in soapy water. Do not ultrasonic. | Kunzite (Spodumene) | Do not boil or ultrasonic. Heat & strong light can change color. Soak in ammonia, rinse & brush. Avoid hydrofluoric acid. |
| Amethyst | Avoid strong heat & abrupt temperature changes. Boiling & ultrasonic should be done with care not to “shock” stone. Soak in ammonia & brush. | Lapis Lazuli | Do not boil or ultrasonic. Often dyed. Avoid heat, solvents, acids, strong detergents. Clean gently with soapy water. |
| Andalusite | Ultrasonic OK. Do not boil. | Malachite | Do not boil or ultrasonic. Avoid heat, solvents, acids. Clean gently with soapy water. |
| Apatite | Heat & strong light can cause color to change or fade. Do not boil. No ultrasonic. | Opal | Very delicate & heat sensitive. Do not boil or ultrasonic. Avoid all solvents, acids, heat, abrasion. Brush with soapy water; brush accent gems. |
| Aquamarine (Beryl) | Do not boil. Ultrasonic with caution: jewelers should check for inclusions. Sonic OK. Acids can cause damage, especially hydrofluoric. Soak in ammonia, brush. Brush accent gems & Water-Pik with warm, soapy water. | Pearls | Organic; avoid chemicals, hair spray, perfume, perspiration. Very soft. Do not boil or ultrasonic. Wipe with soft, damp cloth after wearing. Do not store in safe deposit box for long periods. Need light. |
| Beryl | Generally stable. Avoid boiling and ultrasonic; sonic cleaning is OK. | Peridot | May fracture if heat-shocked. Do not ultrasonic. Boil with care. Damaged by acids. Soak in ammonia & brush clean. |
| Cat’s Eye (Chrysoberyl) | Strong heat (jewelers torch) may destroy color. Boiling and ultrasonic cleaning best done carefully, by jeweler. Soak in ammonia, brush, Water-Pik. | Quartz | Avoid strong heat & abrupt temperature changes. Boiling & ultrasonic should be done with care not to “shock” stone. Soak in ammonia & brush. |
| Citrine (Quartz) | Avoid strong heat & abrupt temperature changes. Boiling & ultrasonic should be done with care not to “shock” stone. Soak in ammonia & brush. | Ruby & Sapphire (Corundum) | Boiling and ultrasonic generally safe. Soak in ammonia & brush. Water-Pik with hot, soapy water. May have glass-filled cavities that could be dislodged. |
| Coral | Organic material, soft & often dyed. Do not boil, ultrasonic or use chemicals. Clean with soapy water. Brush accent stones & clean with Water-Pik. | Spinel | Boiling OK; avoid heat shock. Sonic cleaning OK; ultrasonic with care. Jewelers’torch may fade light colors. Soak, brush & Water-Pik.Do not boil or ultrasonic. Will fracture if shocked. Damaged by hydrofluoric & hydrochloric acids. Soak in ammonia & brush, Water-Pik accent stones. |
| Diamond | Untreated diamonds OK to boil & ultra- sonic. Soak in ammonia, brush & Water-Pik. Fracture-filled diamonds must be treated with care. Jeweler’s torch can remove fillings—let him know if you know your diamond is filled! | Tanzanite (Zoisite) | Do not boil or ultrasonic. Fractures if shocked. Soak in ammonia & brush; clean accent stones with Water-Pik. |
| Diopside | Do not boil or ultrasonic; do not expose to hydrofluoric acid. Very heat-sensitive. Soak in ammonia, brush. | Topaz | Do not boil or ultrasonic. Fractures if shocked. Soak in ammonia & brush; clean accent stones with Water-Pik. |
| Emerald (Beryl) | Use extreme care. Usually filled with oil or resins that might be removed with cleaning. (Fillings can be restored.) Do not boil or ultrasonic. Rinse, brush & Water-Pik with warm, soapy water. | Turquoise | Do not boil or ultrasonic. Attacked by acids. Cosmetics or perspiration may discolor stone. Many are dyed or “stabilized” with resins. Brush with ammonia, rinse & dry. |
| Garnet | Gentle boiling OK if temperature “shock” avoided. Ultrasonic with care. Sonic OK. Jewelers- avoid hydrofluoric acid & torch. Soak in ammonia, brush. | Zircon | Do not boil; ultrasonic OK. High heat or strong light could change color. Easily abraded—handle with care. Soak in ammonia, brush & Water-Pik. |
| Iolite | Gentle boiling & ultrasonic OK. Avoid thermal shock. Acids can damage. Soak in ammonia, brush, Water-Pik. | NOTE: | If in doubt, let the appraiser clean your jewelry. Remember that cleaning might loosen stones—check carefully. |
