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Technical Information Sheet
Gemstone Repair Care Guide
 

Gemstone Heat Abrasive Soap Solvent Acid Ultrasonic Steamer Ionic
Alexandrite AVOID sudden change high resistance ok resistant resistant ok ok ???
Amber MELTS with low heat only soft cloth ok, do not soak NO DISSOLVES NO NO ???
Amethyst AVOID sudden change, low may deepen colour, high may cause colour loss & fractures AVOID contact with other gems & polishing agents ok resistant AVOID CAUTION CAUTION safe
Beryl fractures, may fade, possible colour change high resistance ok resistant resistant ok except included, use caution ok except included, use caution safe
Aquamarine fractures, may fade, possible colour change high resistance ok resistant resistant ok, use caution ok, use caution safe
Beryl-green fractures, may fade, colour change to sea-blue high resistance ok resistant resistant ok except included, use caution ok except included, use caution safe
Beryl-orange fractures, may fade, possible colour change high resistance ok resistant resistant ok except included, use caution ok except included, use caution safe
     
         
Gemstone Heat Abrasive Soap Solvent Acid Ultrasonic Steamer Ionic
Cat's-eye
  chrysoberyl		 AVOID sudden change and high heat high resistance ok resistant ok ok ok ???
Chalcedony AVOID sudden change, possible colour change AVOID contact with other gems & polishing agents ok resistant, except dyed material resistant ok ok ???
Citrine AVOID sudden change, colour loss, fracture danger AVOID contact with other gems & polishing agents ok resistant AVOID CAUTION CAUTION safe
Coral EVEN LOW HEAT may damage only soft cloth ok NO DISSOLVES NO NO safe
Cubic zirconia AVOID sudden change AVOID contact with other gems ok resistant ok ok ok ???
     
         
Gemstone Heat Abrasive Soap Solvent Acid Ultrasonic Steamer Ionic
Diamond oxidizes above 700 ºC, NO DIRECT TORCH unaffected may leave soap film resistant ok ok, except if fractured ok safe
Emerald easily fractures, may dull high resistance, polishing agents may enter surface fractures NO NO resistant NO NO safe
Garnet AVOID sudden change, FUSES WITH DIRECT TORCH AVOID contact with other gems & polishing agents ok resistant resistant ok except andradite, use caution NO safe
Hematite AVOID sudden change & high heat AVOID contact with other gems & polishing agents ok resistant resistant ok ok ???
Iolite AVOID sudden change & high heat AVOID contact with other gems & polishing agents ok NO, clean with cloth dampened in methylated spirits AVOID NO NO safe
     
         
Gemstone Heat Abrasive Soap Solvent Acid Ultrasonic Steamer Ionic
Ivory EVEN LOW HEAT may damage only soft cloth, AVOID rubbing together ok, do not soak NO discolours, DISSOLVES NO NO safe
Jade-jadeite FUSES WITH DIRECT TORCH AVOID contact with other gems & polishing agents ok AVOID strong solvents slight effect ok ok safe
Jade-nephrite resistant AVOID contact with other gems & polishing agents ok AVOID strong solvents slight effect ok ok safe
Kunzite AVOID AVOID contact with other gems & polishing agents ok NO AVOID NO ok ???
Lapis lazuli may deepen colour or change to green, high heat whitens AVOID contact with other gems & polishing agents ok, do not soak NO AVOID NO NO safe
     
         
Gemstone Heat Abrasive Soap Solvent Acid Ultrasonic Steamer Ionic
Labradorite AVOID sudden change & high heat AVOID contact with other gems & polishing agents ok resistant resistant ok ok ???
Malachite AVOID AVOID contact with other gems & polishing agents ok, do not soak NO AVOID NO NO ???
Marcasite AVOID high heat AVOID contact with other gems & polishing agents ok AVOID AVOID ok ok ???
Moissanite resistant AVOID contact with other gems & polishing agents containing stone, silicon carbide and diamond may leave soap film resistant pickle is ok ok ok ok
Moonstone AVOID sudden change & high heat AVOID contact with other gems & polishing agents ok resistant resistant NO NO ???
     
         
Gemstone Heat Abrasive Soap Solvent Acid Ultrasonic Steamer Ionic
Obsidian AVOID sudden change & high heat AVOID contact with other gems & polishing agents ok AVOID may etch NO NO ???
Opal AVOID, very sensitive AVOID contact with other gems & polishing agents ok, do not soak AVOID AVOID NO NO safe
Pearl EVEN LOW HEAT may damage, cracking & dehydration only soft cloth, AVOID rubbing together mild ok, pat dry NO DISSOLVES NO NO safe
Peridot sudden change or high heat may fracture AVOID contact with other gems & polishing agents ok AVOID AVOID NO NO safe
Pyrite AVOID high heat AVOID contact with other gems & polishing agents ok AVOID AVOID ok ok ???
     
         
Gemstone Heat Abrasive Soap Solvent Acid Ultrasonic Steamer Ionic
Rhodolite AVOID AVOID contact with other gems & polishing agents ok AVOID AVOID NO NO ???
Rose quartz AVOID sudden change, gentle heat lightens, high heat may cause colour change & fractures AVOID contact with other gems & polishing agents ok resistant AVOID CAUTION CAUTION safe
Rubellite AVOID sudden change, high heat may cause colour change AVOID contact with other gems & polishing agents ok resistant resistant NO NO ???
Ruby stable, AVOID direct torch high resistance, polishing agents may enter surface fractures ok resistant, AVOID with oiled & dyed stones resistant, AVOID with oiled & dyed stones CAUTION CAUTION safe
Sapphire stable, AVOID direct torch high resistance, polishing agents may enter surface fractures ok resistant, AVOID with oiled & dyed stones resistant, AVOID with oiled & dyed stones ok except black star, use caution ok except black star, use caution safe
     
         
Gemstone Heat Abrasive Soap Solvent Acid Ultrasonic Steamer Ionic
Shell & shell cameo EVEN LOW HEAT can damage, cracking & dehydration only soft cloth safe mild ok, pat dry NO DISSOLVES NO NO ???
Spinel intense heat can fade, NO DIRECT TORCH high resistance ok resistant ok ok ok ???
Tanzanite FUSES WITH DIRECT TORCH AVOID contact with other gems & polishing agents ok AVOID AVOID NO NO ???
Topaz AVOID sudden change ??? ??? ??? ??? CAUTION CAUTION safe
Tourmaline AVOID sudden change ??? ??? ??? ??? CAUTION CAUTION safe
Turquoise AVOID sudden change ??? ??? AVOID AVOID NO NO safe
adapted from
Knuth, B.G., Jeweler's Resource, Revised Edition, 2000, Jewelers Press, Thornton, Colorado, 134p.
Gems & Gemology, Summer Issue, 1987.
??? indicates information not available in these references.
Lacy West Supplies shall not be held accountable for errors in this guide.
     
         

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