How to Care for your Jewelry

Gold Jewelry – Woolite diluted with water or a Cleaning Solution as directed.

Silver Jewelry – Wipe with a polishing or chamois cloth in conjunction with a liquid bath.

Rings – Rings with prong set stones should be cleaned with one part non–sudsing ammonia and four parts water.

Pearls – Gently wipe and polish with a soft cloth such as a shoe–string cloth or chamois.

Antiqued – Dip in a solution of warn water and mild dish washing soap
DO NOT SCRUB – pat dry with a soft towel.

Austrian Cystals/Cubic Zirconias – Prong set stones should be cleaned with one part non–sudsing ammonia and four parts water. Stones can be gently brushed with a soft–bristle tooth brush to remove residue from under the stone. Non–prong set stones must be cleaned more delicately so as to not destroy the epoxy in which they are set. Clean with a mild dishwashing detergent and pat dry immediately.

Gem Care List

Please use care in cleaning your jewelry. We cannot accept liability for any damage you may cause.

Alexandrite – Generally stable to light, heat & chemicals. Do not boil. Sonic OK, ultrasonic with care (jewelers only).

Amber – Easily damaged by heat, pressure, and chemicals. Wipe or soak in soapy water. Do not ultrasonic.

Amethyst – Avoid strong heat & abrupt temperature changes. Boiling & ultrasonic should be done with care not to "shock" stone. Soak in ammonia & brush.

Andalusite – Ultrasonic OK. Do not boil.

Apatite – Heat & strong light can cause color to change or fade. Do not boil. No ultrasonic.

Aquamarine (Beryl) – Do not boil. Ultrasonic with caution: jewelers should check for inclusions. Sonic OK. Acids can cause damage, especially hydrofluoric. Soak in ammonia, brush. Brush accent gems & Water–Pik with warm, soapy water.

Cat’s Eye (Chrysoberyl) – Generally stable. Avoid boiling and ultrasonic; sonic cleaning is OK.

Citrine (Quartz) – Strong heat (jewelers torch) may destroy color. Boiling and ultrasonic cleaning best done carefully, by jeweler. Soak in ammonia, brush, Water–Pik.

Coral – Organic material, soft & often dyed. Do not boil, ultrasonic or use chemicals. Clean with soapy water. Brush accent stones & clean with Water–Pik.

Diamond – Untreated diamonds OK to boil & ultra– sonic. Soak in ammonia, brush & Water–Pik. Fracture–filled diamonds must be treated with care. Jeweler’s torch can remove fillings—let him know if you know your diamond is filled!

Diopside – Do not boil or ultrasonic; do not expose to hydrofluoric acid. Very heat–sensitive. Soak in ammonia, brush.

Emerald (Beryl) – Use extreme care. Usually filled with oil or resins that might be removed with cleaning. (Fillings can be restored.) Do not boil or ultrasonic. Rinse, brush & Water–Pik with warm, soapy water.

Garnet – Gentle boiling OK if temperature "shock" avoided. Ultrasonic with care. Sonic OK. Jewelers– avoid hydrofluoric acid & torch. Soak in ammonia, brush.

Iolite – Gentle boiling & ultrasonic OK. Avoid thermal shock. Acids can damage. Soak in ammonia, brush, Water–Pik.

Jade (Jadeite & Nephrite) – Often polished with wax finish. Other– wise, very tough. Avoid high heat, solvents, acids & strong light. Soak briefly in ammonia, brush & Water–Pik.

Kunzite (Spodumene) – Do not boil or ultrasonic. Heat & strong light can change color. Soak in ammonia, rinse & brush. Avoid hydrofluoric acid.

Lapis Lazuli – Do not boil or ultrasonic. Often dyed. Avoid heat, solvents, acids, strong detergents. Clean gently with soapy water.

Malachite – Do not boil or ultrasonic. Avoid heat, solvents, acids. Clean gently with soapy water.

Opal – Very delicate & heat sensitive. Do not boil or ultrasonic. Avoid all solvents, acids, heat, abrasion. Brush with soapy water; brush accent gems.

Pearls – Organic; avoid chemicals, hair spray, perfume, perspiration. Very soft. Do not boil or ultrasonic. Wipe with soft, damp cloth after wearing. Do not store in safe deposit box for long periods. Need light.

Peridot – May fracture if heat–shocked. Do not ultrasonic. Boil with care. Damaged by acids. Soak in ammonia & brush clean.

Quartz – Avoid strong heat & abrupt temperature changes. Boiling & ultrasonic should be done with care not to "shock" stone. Soak in ammonia & brush.

Ruby & Sapphire (Corundum) – Boiling and ultrasonic generally safe. Soak in ammonia & brush. Water–Pik with hot, soapy water. May have glass–filled cavities that could be dislodged.

Spinel – Boiling OK; avoid heat shock. Sonic cleaning OK; ultrasonic with care. Jewelers’ torch may fade light colors. Soak, brush & Water–Pik.

Tanzanite (Zoisite) – Do not boil or ultrasonic. Will fracture if shocked. Damaged by hydrofluoric & hydrochloric acids. Soak in ammonia & brush, Water–Pik accent stones.

Topaz – Do not boil or ultrasonic. Fractures if shocked. Soak in ammonia & brush; clean accent stones with Water–Pik.

Turquoise – Do not boil or ultrasonic. Attacked by acids. Cosmetics or perspiration may discolor stone. Many are dyed or "stabilized" with resins. Brush with ammonia, rinse & dry.

Zircon – Do not boil; ultrasonic OK. High heat or strong light could change color. Easily abraded—handle with care. Soak in ammonia, brush & Water–Pik.

Note: If in doubt, let the jewelry store clean your jewelry. Remember that cleaning might loosen stones—check carefully.