Please be aware the following information is a general guide only and each individual stone should be checked for any problems that may be unique to that stone.
All gemstones need to be handled with care and the following precautions should be taken for all stones:
- Avoid abrasion by other jewellery items.
- Avoid wearing whilst doing housework, gardening or any other activity during which damage could occur.
Unless otherwise specified in the chart below, gemstones are best cleaned using a soft damp cloth or mild soapy warm water and a soft brush in a plastic container, not an open sink.
Materials with poor to fair toughness and/or poor stability should not be placed in an ultrasonic cleaner. Extra care also needs to be taken with:
- Materials with numerous inclusions as this can affect a material's durability.
- Treated stones. Treatments can severely effect the toughness and stability of a material so reducing the overall durability of a stone.
Diamond
- avoid applying hand creams or soaps, as diamonds attract grease
- avoid sharp knocks, as diamonds could cleave or fracture
- do not burn or clean with ultrasonic and steam cleaners
Jadeite
- be aware that some treatments can weaken the structure of jadeite
- avoid heat, chemicals, acids/solvents, ultrasonic and steam cleaners
Nephrite
- avoid heat, chemicals, acids, ultrasonic and steam cleaners
Peridot
- avoid knocking on hard surfaces
- avoid contact with perfumes, hairspray, and makeup
- avoid heat, thermal shock, chemicals, acids, ultrasonic and steam cleaners, boiling
Pearl
- avoid any risk of abrasion, as pearl nacre can be scratched easily
- clean using water and cotton wool, dry with soft cloth
- avoid contact with perfumes, hairspray, and makeup
- avoid dry and hot storage conditions
- do not soak in jewelry cleaner
- keep away from acids
- avoid heat, thermal shock, chemicals, acids, ultrasonic and steam cleaners
Quartz
- avoid leaving amethyst, dyed agates, and rose quartz in strong light, as colour may fade
- avoid steam cleaners, use caution when using ultrasonic cleaners
- avoid thermal shock
- caution when using strong acids
Spinel
- caution when using ultrasonic and steam cleaners
Tourmaline
- needs frequent cleaning, as it attracts dust easily
- avoid ultrasonic and steam cleaners
- caution when using heat as colour may alter and fractures could worsen
Documentation courtesy of Gem-A The Gemological Association Of Great Britain
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