Taking Care of Your Gemstones!

• Gems are among the most durable of nature’s creations. With a little care, they will be as beautiful for generations to come as they are today. Keep in mind these gem care tips.
• The best way to clean your gemstone jewelry is in a bowl of water with a few drops of ordinary dish detergent. Using an old toothbrush or other soft brush, scrub gently behind the stone where dust and soap can collect. Then just rinse and pat dry with a soft cloth.
• A home ultrasonic cleaner should be used with extreme caution. It can be used to clean Ruby, Sapphire, Diamond, Amethyst, Citrine, Garnet, Chrysoberyl, and unadorned gold jewelry but it may damage gems like Emerald, Tourmaline, Peridot, Pearls, Coral, Lapis Lazuli, Turquoise, and any gem that has many inclusions. When in doubt, don’t use it.
• Remove your jewelry before vigorous activities.
• Every day household items can ruin your gemstone jewelry. Make sure you don’t expose your gems to the chemicals in cleaning products, hair care products, fragrances and cosmetics.
• When getting dressed, put your jewelry on last. At the end of the day, take your jewelry off first. Store your jewelry in a cloth-lined box or pouch and keep them away from other jewelry, which might scratch them.

Alexandrite

Alexandrite is rated “excellent” for everyday wear. To clean, gently scrub with a soft toothbrush and a solution of mild dish soap and warm water.

Amethyst

Amethyst is rated “good” for everyday wear. Avoid direct sunlight and exposure to heat which may cause color to fade. Avoid contact with chemicals. To clean, gently scrub with a soft toothbrush and a solution of mild dish soap and warm water, or clean in an at-home ultrasonic unit.

Ametrine

Ametrine is rated “good” for everyday wear. Avoid direct sunlight and exposure to heat which may cause color to fade. Avoid contact with chemicals. To clean, gently scrub with a soft toothbrush and a solution of mild dish soap and warm water, or clean in an at-home ultrasonic unit.

Aquamarine

Aquamarine is rated “good” for everyday wear. Avoid exposure to heat, contact with chemicals, and protect from scratches and harsh blows. To clean, gently scrub with a soft toothbrush and a solution of mild dish soap and warm water.

Bloodstone

Bloodstone is rated “fair” for everyday wear. Avoid exposure to heat, contact with chemicals, and protect from scratches and harsh blows. To clean, gently scrub with a soft toothbrush and a solution of mild dish soap and warm water, or clean in an at-home ultrasonic unit.

Cameo

Cameos are quite fragile and are not for everyday wear and special care should be taken when wearing. Avoid exposure to heat, contact with chemicals, and protect from scratches and harsh blows. To clean, wipe gently with a moist cloth.

Carnelian

Carnelian is rated “fair” for everyday wear. Avoid exposure to heat, contact with chemicals, and protect from scratches and harsh blows. To clean, gently scrub with a soft toothbrush and a solution of mild dish soap and warm water, or clean in an at-home ultrasonic unit.

Chalcedony - Blue and Lavender

Chalcedony is rated “fair” for everyday wear. Avoid exposure to heat, contact with chemicals, and protect from scratches and harsh blows. To clean, gently scrub with a soft toothbrush and a solution of mild dish soap and warm water, or clean in an at-home ultrasonic unit.

Chrysoprase

Chrysoprase is rated “fair” for everyday wear. Avoid exposure to heat, contact with chemicals, and protect from scratches and harsh blows. To clean, gently scrub with a soft toothbrush and a solution of mild dish soap and warm water, or clean in an at-home ultrasonic unit.

Citrine

Citrine is rated “good” for everyday wear. Avoid direct sunlight and exposure to heat which may cause color to fade. Avoid contact with chemicals. To clean, gently scrub with a soft toothbrush and a solution of mild dish soap and warm water, or clean in an at-home ultrasonic unit.

Coral

Coral is not for everyday wear, and one should take care when wearing. Avoid exposure to heat, contact with chemicals, and protect from scratches and harsh blows. To clean, wipe gently with a moist cloth.

Emerald

Emerald is rated “fair to good ” for everyday wear with care. Avoid exposure to heat, contact with chemicals, and protect from scratches and harsh blows. To clean, gently scrub with a soft toothbrush and a solution of mild dish soap and warm water.

Onyx

Onyx is rated “fair” for everyday wear. Avoid exposure to heat, contact with chemicals, and protect from scratches and harsh blows. To clean, gently scrub with a soft toothbrush and a solution of mild dish soap and warm water, or clean in an at-home ultrasonic unit.

Opal

Take care when wearing Opal. Avoid exposure to heat, contact with chemicals, and protect from scratches and harsh blows. To clean, gently scrub with a soft toothbrush and a solution of mild dish soap and warm water.

Opal, Mexican Fire

Take care when wearing Fire Opal. Avoid exposure to heat, contact with chemicals, and protect from scratches and harsh blows. To clean, gently scrub with a soft toothbrush and a solution of mild dish soap and warm water.

Pearl

Pearls are not for everyday wear, and one should take care when wearing. Avoid exposure to heat and protect from scratches and harsh blows. Avoid contact with chemicals, especially perfumes, perspiration and hair sprays. To clean, wipe gently with a moist cloth.

Peridot

Peridot is rated “fair” for everyday wear with care. Avoid exposure to heat and sudden changes in temperature. Avoid contact with chemicals. To clean, gently scrub with a soft toothbrush and a solution of mild dish soap and warm water.

Smoky Quartz

Smoky Quartz is rated “good” for everyday wear. Avoid direct sunlight and exposure to heat which may cause color to fade. Avoid contact with chemicals. To clean, gently scrub with a soft toothbrush and a solution of mild dish soap and warm water, or clean in an at-home ultrasonic unit.

Ruby

Rubies are rated “excellent” for everyday wear. Avoid exposure to heat and contact with chemicals. To clean, gently scrub with a soft toothbrush and a solution of mild dish soap and warm water, or clean in an at-home ultrasonic unit.

Sapphire

Sapphires are rated “excellent” for everyday wear. Avoid exposure to heat and contact with chemicals. To clean, gently scrub with a soft toothbrush and a solution of mild dish soap and warm water, or clean in an at-home ultrasonic unit.

Tanzanite

Tanzanite is not for everyday wear, and one should take care when wearing. Avoid exposure to heat and sudden changes in temperature. Avoid contact with chemicals. To clean, gently scrub with a soft toothbrush and a solution of mild dish soap and warm water.

Tiger’s Eye

Tiger’s Eye is rated “good” for everyday wear. Avoid exposure to heat and sudden changes in temperature. Avoid contact with chemicals. To clean, gently scrub with a soft toothbrush and a solution of mild dish soap and warm water, or clean in an at-home ultrasonic unit.

Topaz, Precious

Precious Topaz is rated “good” for everyday wear. Avoid direct sunlight and exposure to heat which may cause color to fade. Avoid contact with chemicals. To clean, gently scrub with a soft toothbrush and a solution of mild dish soap and warm water.

Topaz, Blue and White

Blue and White Topaz is rated “fair to good” for everyday wear with care. Avoid direct sunlight and exposure to heat which may cause color to fade. Avoid contact with chemicals. To clean, gently scrub with a soft toothbrush and a solution of mild dish soap and warm water.

Topaz, Diffused

Diffused Topaz is rated “good” for everyday wear. Avoid contact with chemicals. Re-cutting is not recommended. To clean, gently scrub with a soft toothbrush and a solution of mild dish soap and warm water, or clean in an at-home ultrasonic unit.

Topaz, Mystic

Mystic Topaz is rated "good" for everyday wear. Avoid direct sunlight and exposure to heat which may cause the color to fade. Avoid contact with chemicals, especially chlorinated and salt water. Do not clean in an ultrasonic. To clean, gently scrub with a soft toothbrush and a solution of mild dish soap and warm water.

Tourmaline, Pink, Green, Blue Paraiba, and Green Paraiba

Tourmaline is rated “fair to good” for everyday wear with care. Avoid exposure to heat and protect from scratches and harsh blows. To clean, gently scrub with a soft toothbrush and a solution of mild dish soap and warm water.

Turquoise

Turquoise is rated “fair” for everyday wear with care. Avoid exposure to heat, contact with chemicals, and protect from scratches and harsh blows. To clean, gently scrub with a soft toothbrush and a solution of mild dish soap and warm water.

Zircon, Blue

Blue Zircon is rated “fair” for everyday wear with care. Avoid direct sunlight and exposure to heat which may cause color to fade. To clean, gently scrub with a soft toothbrush and a solution of mild dish soap and warm water.

Alexandrite

Gem Species: Chrysoberyl
Major Sources: Brazil, Madagascar, Russia, Sri Lanka
Hardness 8.5

Amethyst

Gem Species: Quartz
Major Sources: Africa, South America (also comes from Arizona!!!)
Hardness 7

Ametrine

Gem Species: Quartz
Major Sources: Bolivia
Hardness 7

Aquamarine

Gem Species: Beryl
Major Sources: Afghanistan, Africa, China, India, Pakistan, Russia, South America
Hardness 7.5-8

Chalcedony

Gem Species: Chalcedony
Major Sources: Africa, United States
Hardness 6-5.7

Citrine

Gem Species: Quartz
Major Sources: Bolivia, Brazil
Hardness: 7

Emerald

Gem Species: Beryl
Major Sources: Afghanistan, Brazil, Columbia, India, Pakistan, Russia, Zambia, Zimbabwe
Hardness: 7.5

Garnet

Gem Species: Pyrope
Major Sources: Africa (Anthill Garnet comes from Arizona!!)
Hardness: 7-7.5

Iolite

Gem Species: Iolite
Major Sources: Brazil, India, Madagascar, Namibia, Sri Lanka, Tanzania
Hardness:7-7.5

Opal

Gem Species: Opal
Major Sources: Australia
Hardness: 5-6.5

Peridot

Gem Species: Peridot
Major Sources :Australia, Brazil, China, Kenya, Mexico, Myanmar, Sri Lanka (Peridot also comes from Arizona!!!)
Hardness 6.5-7

Smokey Quartz

Gem Species: Quartz
Major Sources: Brazil, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Uruguay
Hardness 6.5-7

Ruby

Gem Species: Corundum
Major Sources: Afghanistan, Cambodia, India, Kenya, Madegascar, Myanmar, Pakista, Sri Lanka, Tanzania, Thailand
Hardness: 9

Sapphire

Gem Species: Corundum
Major Sources: Australia, Cambodia, East Africa, India, Kashmir, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, Thailand, United States
Hardness: 9

Spinel

Gem Species: Spinel
Major Sources Cambodia, Myanmar, Russia, Sri Lanka, Tanzania, Thiailand, Vietnam
Hardness:8

Tanzanite

Gem Species: Zoisite
Major Sources: Tanzania
Hardness: 6-7

Precious Topaz

Gem Species: Topaz
Major Sources: Brazil
Hardness 8

Blue Topaz

Gem Species: Topaz
Major Sources: Australia, Brazil, Mexico, Myanmar, Namibia, Nigeria, Pakistan, Sri Lanka
Hardess: 8

Turquoise

Gem Species: Turquoise
Major Sources: Australia, Chile, China, Mexico, United States (Turquoise also comes from Arizona!!!)

Tourmaline

Gem Species: Tourmaline
Major Sources: Afghanistan, Brazil, China, East Africa, India, Myanmar, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, United States

Zircon

Gem Species: Zircon
Major Sources: Australia, Cambodia, China, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Vietnam
Hardness: 7.5