|
Gemstone Treatment & Care
Gemstones are often treated to enhance their natural beauty and may require special care to keep them looking great. See the appropriate stone in the alphabetical listing below. Amber
Amber is occasionally heat treated or dyed to enhance its color. Use only warm soapy water to clean. Avoid exposure to chemicals and high heat.
Amethyst
Warm soapy water is usually the best way to clean an Amethyst. Avoid using household chemicals and harsh cleaning solvents as they can damage jewelry. Ultrasonic cleaners are usually safe, but avoid steam cleaning.Aquamarine
This type of stone is often heat-treated to remove traces of yellow and to intensify its rich blue color. Clean aquamarine jewelry with warm soapy water and a soft brush. This gemstone can scratch, so store it carefully when you're not wearing it. Cat's Eye (Chrysoberyl)
Cleaning a cat's eye with warm soapy water and a soft brush is usually sufficient. Avoid ultrasonic and steam cleaners. Citrine
Citrine is often heat-treated to intensify its beautiful color. This gemstone can be fractured by extreme or sudden temperature changes, so be careful about wearing it outdoors during cold winters. High heat may also cause Citrine to lose its enhanced color. Warm soapy water is always a good option for cleaning, and ultrasonic cleaners are usually safe.
Cultured Pearl
Any type of pearl, cultured or natural, must be treated with care. All pearls are soft and can scratch easily, so always store them separately from your other jewelry and remove them before working or applying makeup. Wipe cultured pearls after each wearing with a clean, soft cloth. Occasional cleaning with warm soapy water is fine, but avoid ultra sonic cleaners. Have a jeweler check cultured pearls about once a year to make sure they are snug in their settings.
Diamond
Diamonds are very hard and will scratch other jewelry, so it is best to store them in their own area. Mechanical cleaners are safe, unless the diamond has fractures or is fracture-filled. If that is the case, avoid heat and chemicals. Ammonia-based cleaners or milk solvents are fine, and warm soapy water is always safe and effective.
Emerald
Many emeralds have natural birthmarks (fissures or inclusions) that are often treated with colorless oils or resins which improve the emerald's clarity and color. Emeralds exposed to prolonged heat or intense light may dry out or fracture. Remove emerald jewelry before working, and store it carefully in a place separate from your other jewelry. The only safe way to clean this type of stone is by immersing it in clean, warm water and don't scrub!
Garnet
Garnets are sturdy but some varieties can chip, so it is always a good idea to remove them before working or handling harsh chemicals. Sudden, extreme temperature changes can also cause a garnet to fracture. Avoid steam cleaning, but ultra sonic cleaning is usually safe. A bath in warm soapy water is usually the best cleaning method and is always safe for garnets.
Jade
Jade is often treated by dyeing, waxing, or bleaching to improve its color and appearance. Jade is very tough and durable, but it is best to remove it before doing any work or handling harsh chemicals. Jade can damage other jewelry if not stored carefully. Cleans nicely with warm soapy water or with an ultrasonic cleaner. Onyx (Chalcedony)
Onyx is almost always dyed to produce a beautiful range of colors. Use warm soapy water to clean Onyx. Avoid contact with chemicals.
Opal
Most opals are treated with oil or wax to improve their color. Opals can scratch, so we suggest keeping them separate from your other jewelry, and you should always remove them before doing any work. Exposure to high heat or a sudden temperature change can cause fractures. Clean only with warm soapy water.
Peridot
Peridot is a fragile stone that can be damaged over long periods of time by exposure to various chemicals, and even by perspiration, so careful cleaning is important. Sudden temperature changes can also cause peridots to fracture. Clean only with warm soapy water.
Rhodolite
Similar to garnets, rough treatment can scratch rhodolites, so it is always best to remove rhodolite jewelry before doing heavy work. Sudden or extreme temperature changes can also cause this type of stone to fracture. Warm soapy water is always a safe cleaning method, and ultrasonic cleaners are usually fine as well. Never steam clean rhodolite.
Rose Quartz
Prolonged exposure to bright light or extreme temperature changes can cause this stone to fracture, and high temperatures can change its color. Remove rose quartz jewelry before working, and always clean with warm soapy water.
Ruby
Many rubies are heat-treated to improve their color and clarity. Sometimes small surface flaws are also filled in to improve the stone's appearance, but this is only detectable by a trained gemologist. High heat or chemicals can damage treated rubies. Store rubies carefully to avoid damaging your other jewelry. Clean with warm soapy water or an ultrasonic cleaner.
Sapphire
Many sapphires are heat-treated to enhance the color and/or clarity. Sapphires are very hard stones, so store carefully to avoid scratching other jewelry. Clean with warm soapy water or an ultrasonic cleaner.
Smoky Quartz
This type of gemstone is often heated to lighten its color, or irradiated to deepen its color. While durable, smoky quartz can lose its color from exposure to high heat, and sudden or extreme temperature changes can cause it to fracture. Clean with warm soapy water or an ultrasonic cleaner, but avoid steam cleaning.
Tanzanite
This type of gemstone is often heat-treated to produce a range of colors. Tanzanite is very fragile and sudden exposure to extreme temperature changes can cause it to fracture. Wear tanzanite rings with special care and avoid hitting them against anything hard. Always remove tanzanite jewelry before working. Clean only with warm soapy water.
Topaz
Topaz is commonly treated with heat and/or irradiation to enhance or change its natural color. Exposing topaz to high heat or sudden temperature changes can cause fractures or a loss of color. Always remove topaz jewelry before working and only clean it with warm soapy water.
Tourmaline
This gemstone's color is often enhanced with heat or irradiation. Exposure to high heat can alter tourmaline's color and a sudden temperature change can cause it to fracture. Clean only with warm soapy water. Avoid steam and ultrasonic cleaners.
Turquoise
Turquoise is often sealed with an acrylic resin to enhance its color, texture, and hardness. Remove this type of jewelry before working and store carefully to prevent scratching. Use warm soapy water to clean. Avoid chemicals, high heat, and ultrasonic cleaners.
|
