Gemstone Maintenance Chart
| Stone |
Ultrasonic |
Steam |
Boiling |
General Comments |
| Amber |
No |
No |
No |
Wipe with soft cloth; if further cleaning is needed use warm water and mild detergent; rinse and dry thoroughly. |
| Amethyst |
Okay |
Gently |
No |
Generally no problem, if material is clean. |
| Aquamarine |
Okay |
Gently |
No |
Generally no problem, if material is clean. |
| Carnelian |
No |
Gently |
No |
|
| Citrine |
Okay |
Gently |
No |
Generally no problem, if material is clean. |
| Coral |
Best avoided |
Best avoided |
No |
Warm, mild soapy solution and soft brush. |
| Diamond |
Okay |
Okay |
Okay |
|
| Emerald |
No |
No |
No |
Warm, mild soapy solution and soft brush. |
| Garnet |
Okay |
Gently |
No |
Generally no problem, if material is clean. |
| Helioder |
Okay |
Gently |
No |
Generally no problem, if material is clean. |
| Jade |
Okay |
Gently |
No |
|
| Kunzite |
No |
Best avoided |
No |
Fragile stone. Warm, mild soapy solution and soft brush. |
| Lapis |
Best avoided |
Gently |
No |
Be careful; material varies greatly. Warm, mild soapy solution and soft brush. |
| Opal |
No |
No |
No |
Fragile stone. Warm, mild soapy solution and soft brush. |
| Pearl |
No |
No |
No |
Wipe with soft cloth. If stained, warm mild soapy solution on rag. Do not dip in liquid. Be careful to dry thoroughly. Moisture remaining in drill holes can cause discolouration. |
| Peridot |
Okay
if cool |
No |
No |
Fragile stone. Warm, mild soapy solution and soft brush. |
| Ruby |
Okay |
Okay |
Best avoided |
Generally no problem if material is clean. |
| Saphire |
Okay |
Okay |
Best avoided |
Generally no problem if material is clean. |
| Spinal |
Okay |
Okay |
No |
Generally no problem if material is clean. |
| Tanzanite |
No |
No |
No |
Fragile stone. Warm, mild soapy solution and soft brush. |
| Topaz |
Best |
Gently |
No |
Material has easy cleavage; if visible keep out of ultrasonic. Otherwise few problems if material is clean. |
| Tourmaline |
Okay |
Gently |
No |
Generally no problem if material is clean. |
| Zircon |
Okay |
Gently |
No |
Generally no problem if material is clean. |
