Cleaning Stone Beads
Immerse stone beads in warm, soapy water and scrub gently with a soft brush. The rinse and place them on a soft towel to dry.
Most stone beads can also be ultrasonically cleaned,
except bone, ivory, amber, coral, horn, lapis, opal, pearls, and turquoise, which can be
permanently damaged if cleaned in an ultrasonic cleaner.
GEMSTONE REACTIONS TO
NORMAL JEWELERS PROCEDURES
| GEMSTONE |
SETTING |
POLISH |
TORCH |
BOILING |
STEAM |
ULTRASONIC |
| Alexandrite |
V. Good |
Excellent |
Fair |
Good |
Good |
Good |
| Amethyst |
Good |
Good |
Fair* |
Fair |
Fair |
Good |
| Apatite |
Poor |
Fair |
Poor* |
Poor |
Poor |
Fair |
| Aquamarine |
Fair |
Good |
Poor |
Poor |
Fair |
Fair |
| Citrine |
Good |
Good |
Fair |
Fair |
Fair |
Good |
| Diamond |
Excellent |
Good |
Good |
Excellent |
Excellent |
Excellent |
| Emerald |
Poor |
Fair |
Poor |
Poor |
Poor |
Poor |
| Garnet |
Good |
Good |
Poor |
Poor |
Fair |
Good |
| Iolite |
Good |
Good |
Good |
Good |
Good |
Good |
| Jadeite |
Excellent |
Good |
Good |
Good |
Good |
Good |
| Kunzite |
Poor |
Fair |
Poor |
Poor |
Poor |
Fair |
| Lapis Lazuli |
Good |
Poor |
Poor |
Poor |
Poor |
Poor |
| Moonstone |
Fair |
Poor |
Poor |
Poor |
Poor |
Poor |
| Nephrite |
Excellent |
Good |
Good |
Good |
Good |
Good |
| Opal |
Poor |
Poor |
Poor |
Poor |
Poor |
Poor |
| Pearl |
Good |
Poor |
Poor |
Poor |
Poor |
Poor |
| Peridot |
Poor |
Poor |
Poor |
Poor |
Poor |
Fair |
| Ruby |
V. Good |
Excellent |
Good |
Good |
Good |
Good |
| Sapphire |
V. Good |
Excellent |
Fair* |
Good |
Good |
Good |
| Spinel |
Good |
Good |
Fair |
Fair |
Good |
Good |
| Tanzanite |
Poor |
Fair |
Poor* |
Poor |
Poor |
Poor |
| Topaz |
Poor |
Good |
Poor |
Poor |
Poor |
Fair |
| Tourmaline |
Fair |
Good |
Fair |
Poor |
Fair |
Good |
| Turquoise |
Good |
Good |
Poor |
Poor |
Poor |
Poor |
| Zircon |
Poor |
Fair |
Poor |
Poor |
Poor |
Fair |
* - May cause color change to
occur
|