| Gemstone | Gemstone Comments | Cleaning Comments |
Agate | Quartz - Opaque variety found in all colors with a wide variety of markings. | Solution of warm water and mild detergent (Ivory), soft brush, air dry. |
Alexandrite | Chrysoberyl- Unusual gemstone that appears green in daylight and raspberry red in artificial light. | Solution of warm water and mild detergent (Ivory), soft brush, air dry. |
Amber | Organic - Amber is a hardened, fossilized form of resin from ancient pine trees. It may contain small bits of insects or plant material that became trapped. Typically golden color but may be found in green, violet, red and black. | Damp cloth or mild solution of warm water and mild detergent to clean, and then wipe dry |
Amethyst | Quartz - Shades of purple, lilac or mauve, can be heat treated to produce Citrine. | Solution of warm water and mild detergent (Ivory), soft brush, air dry. |
Ametrine | Quartz - Bi-color gemstone that is part Amethyst and part Citrine | Solution of warm water and mild detergent (Ivory), soft brush, air dry. |
Apatite | Comes in various shades of blue and green. It is soft and may scratch easily - should not be worn while 'working'. | Solution of warm water and mild detergent (Ivory), soft brush, air dry. |
Aquamarine | Beryl - Typically today's preferred color is blue but it also may be a sea green. It is often heat treated to bring out the color but if over-heated will become colorless. | Solution of warm water and mild detergent (Ivory), soft brush, air dry. |
Bloodstone | Opaque, dark green variety of quartz with red jasper speckled through it. | Solution of warm water and mild detergent (Ivory), soft brush, air dry. |
Citrine | Quartz - Natural Citrine is rare, most Citrine on the market is heat-treated Amethyst. | Solution of warm water and mild detergent (Ivory), soft brush, air dry. |
Coral | Organic - Occurs in a variety of colors. Care should be taken when wearing Coral jewelry as it is soft. It is also susceptible to contact with acid, ie. vinegar and should not be worn while 'working'. | Solution of warm water and mild detergent (Ivory), soft brush, air dry. |
Chrome Diopside | Colors range from green (bottle green) to black. | Solution of warm water and mild detergent (Ivory), soft brush, air dry. |
Chrysoberyl | Chrysoberyl - Colors range in from yellow, yellowish green to green. Excellent for jewelry. | Solution of warm water and mild detergent (Ivory), soft brush, air dry. |
Diamond | Hardest mineral on earth, graded by 4 C's: Cut, Clarity, Color, Carat | To remove grease and/or oil from the surface use an ammonia based cleaner, warm water and soft brush. |
Emerald | Beryl - Commonly oiled to fill, hide and disguise flaws and enhance color. | Solution of warm water and mild detergent (Ivory), soft brush, air dry.
Caution: Due to inclusions Emeralds should never be cleaned using Ultra Sonic or steam cleaners. |
Fire Opal | Gets its name from it rich orange and reddish orange color.Sensitive stone comprised of 5-10% water that may dry out and crack. Should not be exposed to extremes of pressure and temperature. | Warm water, soft brush, air dry.
Caution: Opals need special care. The wearer should avoid exposure to or contact with anything that would dry or crack the opal. Soaking the opal periodically in water for several hours may help preserve it. Oil should never be used on an opal. |
Jade | Comes in 2 forms: Jadeite (Jade) and Nephrite. Both are tough suitable for carving. Comes in a variety of colors: green, lilac, white, brown, pink, blue, red, black, orange and yellow. | Solution of warm water and mild detergent (Ivory), soft brush, air dry. |
Jasper | Quartz - Opaque with over 50 types of Jasper of various colors and patterns. | Solution of warm water and mild detergent (Ivory), soft brush, air dry. |
Kunzite | Spodumene - Light shades of lilac, pink and violet. Can fade in bright light and is brittle. | Solution of warm water and mild detergent (Ivory), soft brush, air dry.
Caution: Should not be cleaned in ultra sonic cleaner or steam cleaner. |
Garnet | Comes in different silicate compositions that result in different colors: red, orange, cinnamon, pink and green and more. May need re-polishing to maintain shine. | Solution of warm water and mild detergent (Ivory), soft brush, air dry. |
Iolite | Transparent blue gem (deep blue to light gray-blue, some in yellowish grey).
| Solution of warm water and mild detergent (Ivory), soft brush, air dry. |
Lapis Lazuli | Opaque blue stone that sometimes has small gold or silver-colored flecks of pyrite. | Solution of warm water and mild detergent (Ivory), soft brush, air dry immediately. Should not be cleaned in an ultra sonic cleaner or steam cleaned. |
Morganite | Beryl - Pink variety. | Solution of warm water and mild detergent (Ivory), soft brush, air dry. |
Moonstone | Feldspar - Transparent gemstone showing an opalescent white or blue light. | Solution of warm water and mild detergent (Ivory), soft brush, air dry. |
Onyx | Semitranslucent to opaque quartz coming in a variety of colors - red, orange, apricot and shades of brown - often alternating with bands of white. Often used for cameo carving. | Solution of warm water and mild detergent (Ivory), soft brush, air dry. |
Opal | Sensitive stone comprised of 5-10% water that may dry out and crack. Should not be exposed to extremes of pressure and temperature. | Warm water, soft brush, air dry.
Caution: Opals need special care. The wearer should avoid exposure to or contact with anything that would dry or crack the opal. Soaking the opal periodically in water for several hours may help preserve it. Oil should never be used on an opal. |
Pearl | Organic - Comprised of layers of nacre in shellfish (oysters and mussels). Come in white, white with pink tinge, brown,black and golden. Sensitive to acids, dryness, and humidity. | Due to the sensitivity of pearls they should only be wiped with a soft, damp cloth. Any stains should be removed with a soft cloth dipped in a mild soapy solution (no harsh chemicals). Pearls should be allowed to dry, the drill holes should be blown out to avoid staining, and Pearls should never be dipped in any solution. |
Peridot | Due to its soft nature, Peridot may be harmed by acids or harsh chemicals as well as heat. Scratches easily so should not be worn with other jewelry and jewelry should be removed before doing any'work'. | Solution of warm water and mild detergent (Ivory), soft brush, air dry. |
Ruby | Corundum - Second hardest gem next to diamond. Red color may vary from pinkish to purplish. Commonly heat treated to enhance color. | Solution of warm water and mild detergent (Ivory), soft brush, air dry. |
Sapphire | Corundum - Any non-red Corundum (Ruby) is called Sapphire. Comes in a variety of colors. | Solution of warm water and mild detergent (Ivory), soft brush, air dry. Commonly heat treated to enhance color. |
Spinel | One of the few gems never treated or enhanced. Comes in red orange, light-dark orangy red, light-dark grayish blue,greenish blue, grayish green, dark-light purple to violet, yellow and opaque black. | Solution of warm water and mild detergent (Ivory), soft brush, air dry. |
Tanzanite | Zoisite - Typically heat treated to bring out the color. It is brittle and may chip as such should not be worn while 'working'. | Solution of warm water and mild detergent (Ivory), soft brush, air dry. |
Topaz | Comes in a variety of colors, may be heat treated to enhance color. Sensitive to heat and rough-wear. | Solution of warm water and mild detergent (Ivory), soft brush, air dry.
Caution: Should not be cleaned in a ultra-sonic or steam cleaner. |
Tourmaline | One of the most versatile of gems it is available in every color, in every tone. Very durable, wearable gemstone. | Solution of warm water and mild detergent (Ivory), soft brush, air dry. |
Turquoise | Porous stone susceptible to aging (change in color) with age. Color light blue to blue-green in color. Scratches easily. | Clean in warm water using a soft brush, wipe dry immediately. Should not come in contact with soap, grease, oil or other materials that could cause it to discolor. |
Zircon | Transparent gemstone comes in many colors. Moderately hard gemstone that is brittle and may chip easily. | Solution of warm water and mild detergent (Ivory), soft brush, air dry. |
