| Alexandrite
(Chrysoberyl) |
Stable to light, heat
and chemicals. Do not boil. Sonic OK,
ultrasonic with care (jewelers only). |
| Amber
(Organic) |
Easily
damaged by heat, pressure, and chemicals. Wipe or soak in soapy
water. Do not ultrasonic. |
| Amethyst
(Quartz) |
Avoid
strong heat or abrupt temperature changes. Boiling and ultrasonic
should be done with care. Soak in ammonia and brush. |
| Ametrine
(Quartz) |
Avoid
strong heat or abrupt temperature changes. Boiling and ultrasonic
should be done with care. Soak in ammonia and brush. |
| Andalusite |
Ultrasonic
OK. Do not boil. |
| Andesine
- Labradorite |
Avoid
strong heat or abrupt temperature changes. |
| Apatite |
Heat
and strong light can cause color to change or fade. Do not boil. No
ultrasonic. |
| Beryl
( yellow, white, and Aquamarine, Morganite) |
Do
not boil. Ultrasonic with caution. Sonic OK. Acids can cause damage,
especially hydrofluoric. Soak in ammonia, brush. Brush accent gems
and Water-Pik with warm, soapy water. |
| Cat’s
Eye (Chrysoberyl) |
Generally
stable. Avoid boiling and ultrasonic. Sonic cleaning is OK. |
| Citrine
(Quartz) |
Strong
heat may alter color. Soak in ammonia, brush, Water-Pik. |
| Coral
(Organic) |
Organic
material, soft and often dyed. Do not boil, ultrasonic or use
chemicals. Clean with soapy water. Brush accent stones and rinse
with Water-Pik. |
| Diamond |
Untreated
diamonds OK to boil and ultra- sonic. Soak in ammonia, brush and
Water-Pik. |
| Diopside |
Do
not boil or ultrasonic. Do not expose to hydrofluoric acid. Very
heat-sensitive. Soak in ammonia, brush. |
| Emerald
(Beryl) |
Use
extreme care. Usually filled with oil or resins that might be
removed with cleaning. Do not boil or ultrasonic. Rinse, brush and
Water-Pik with warm, soapy water. |
| Garnet |
Gentle
boiling OK. Avoid abrupt temperature change. Ultrasonic with care.
Sonic OK. Soak in ammonia, brush. |
| Iolite |
Gentle
boiling and ultrasonic OK. Avoid thermal shock. Acids can damage.
Soak in ammonia, brush, Water-Pik. |
| Jade |
Often
polished with wax finish. Other- wise, very tough. Avoid high heat,
solvents, acids and strong light. Soak briefly in ammonia, gently brush
and Water-Pik. |
| Kunzite
(Spodumene) |
Do
not boil or ultrasonic. Heat and strong light can change color.
Soak in ammonia, rinse and brush. Avoid hydrofluoric acid. |
| Lapis
Lazuli |
Do
not boil or ultrasonic. Often dyed. Avoid heat, solvents, acids,
strong detergents. Clean gently with soapy water. |
| Malachite |
Do
not boil or ultrasonic. Avoid heat, solvents, acids. Clean gently
with soapy water. |
| Onyx |
Usually
dyed. Avoid harsh chemicals. |
| Opal |
Very
delicate and heat sensitive. Do not boil or ultrasonic. Avoid all
solvents, acids, heat, abrasion. Brush with soapy water; brush
accent gems. |
| Pearls
(Organic) |
Avoid
chemicals, hair spray, perfume, perspiration. Very soft. Do not boil
or ultrasonic. Wipe with soft, damp cloth after wearing. |
| Peridot |
Avoid
strong heat and abrupt temperature changes.. Do not ultrasonic.
Damaged by acids. Soak
in ammonia and brush clean. |
| Quartz |
Avoid
strong heat and abrupt temperature changes. Boiling and
ultrasonic should be done with care.
Soak in ammonia and brush. |
| Ruby,
Sapphire (Corundum) |
Boiling
and ultrasonic generally safe. Soak in ammonia and brush. Water-Pik
with hot, soapy water. |
| Spinel |
Boiling
OK; aabrupt temperature changes. Sonic cleaning OK; ultrasonic with care. |
| Tanzanite
(Zoisite) |
Do
not boil or ultrasonic. Damaged by acids. Soak in ammonia and brush. |
| Topaz |
Do
not boil or ultrasonic. Soak in ammonia and
brush; clean accent stones with Water-Pik. |
| Tourmaline |
Do not boil or ultrasonic. Rinse, brush and
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 impregnated with
resins. Brush with ammonia, rinse and dry. |
| Zircon |
Do
not boil; ultrasonic OK. High heat or strong light could change
color. Easily abraded—handle with care. Soak in ammonia, brush and Water-Pik. |
