The best compendium of gemstone lore is undoubtedly that found in George Frederick Kunz’s book The Curious Lore of Precious Stones published in 1913. But Kunz was no mystic crystal-gazer. Rather he was the leading gemologist of his time and, in his role as the resident gem expert at Tiffany & Co. in New York, helped create the modern market for colored stones. He was also instrumental in putting together some of the greatest collections of rare gemstones, including the famous J.P. Morgan-Tiffany collection, now in the American Museum of Natural History.
Kunz believed that we can learn a great deal by studying the ways in which gemstones were used by different cultures and the beliefs that people at different times formed about rare gems. But for Kunz this study wasn’t just sociological curiosity, it was a way of learning about gemstones themselves. As he wrote, “Many of these ideas may seem strange enough to us now, and yet when we analyze them we find that they have their roots either in some intrinsic quality of the stones or else in an instinctive appreciation of their symbolical significance.”

Author : Ron Nash

To keep your gemstone jewelry looking its best, it is necessary to clean it regularly. There are many methods with which to clean gemstones, and each gem will react differently to particular cleaning methods. Some methods should be avoided entirely for specific gemstones, therefore it is important to clean each type of gem using the proper techniques.

First, let us look at the various methods of cleaning available and then we shall detail the best methods for cleaning each particular gemstone, and which methods to avoid.

Methods For Cleaning Gemstones

By far the simplest method of cleaning is to dampen a soft cloth with warm water and wipe the gem clean. This is certainly the least intense and safest technique to use, and it can be particularly useful in cleaning pieces that are fragile and that don’t take well to other cleaning methods.

Soaking the gemstone in soapy water for several minutes, then gently cleaning with a cloth or soft-bristle brush is another method that is generally safe to use for all gemstones and can be necessary to use when other techniques are not suitable. When cleaning with a brush take care not to dislodge loose stones or otherwise damage the piece. When finished, rinse the piece thoroughly then carefully dry.

Dipping or soaking the jewelry in ammonia solution and then cleaning with a cloth or brush is a more effective method of cleaning dirtier gems and is suitable for use on many types of gemstones. However some will react badly with the ammonia if used, and so using only soapy water is sometimes necessary. When finished, be sure to rinse and then dry the piece properly.

Sonic and ultrasonic cleaning utilises small devices to clean the jewelry using tiny vibrations. Sonic cleaners are more commonly found in households and are the cheaper of the two devices, whereas ultrasonic cleaners are much more powerful and more expensive and are generally used by professional and commercial jewelers. Particular care should be taken when using an ultrasonic cleaner, as these can have a damaging effect on some gems. See the list below for more information, and when in doubt avoid using this method.

Jewelry steam cleaners can also be purchased which rely on heated tap water to clean the jewelry. Another method requiring no special equipment is boiling. This is done by placing the jewelry in a strainer and submerging it in a pan of water, ensuring that the jewelry does not touch the bottom of the pan. Bring the water up to boiling point slowly and let it boil for approximately 10-15 minutes. Take particular care to avoid sudden changes in temperature as these can fracture and damage the jewelry- never immerse jewelry in already boiling water and once you have cleaned the jewelry, allow it to soak in the water until it returns to almost room temperature. Never cool the piece off with cold water.

As these last two methods use extreme heat to clean the gemstones, they are unsuitable for many gems and care should be taken.

The list below provides guidance, tips and precautions for cleaning different types of gemstones.

Alexandrite

Do not use heat cleaning methods and undertake sonic cleaning with care. Ammonia and soapy water both work well when cleaning Alexandrite.

Amethyst

Avoid boiling, steam cleaning or ultrasonic methods. Instead, soak in soapy water or ammonia, or use a small sonic cleaner.

Aquamarine

Do not use heat or ultrasonic methods. Cleaning with soapy water or ammonia solution are the most suitable for Aquamarine.

Citrine

Avoid heating and ultrasonic cleaning. It is recommended to use either ammonia solution or soapy water.

Diamond

It is generally ok to use steaming, boiling and ultrasonic methods with Diamond jewelry, as well as the less intense methods. However fracture-filled Diamonds should not be cleaned using these methods, and should instead be cleaned using ammonia or soapy water. If in doubt, use the less intense techniques.

Emerald

Never use heating or ultrasonic methods as these can remove stone treatments. Avoid ammonia or other solutions. It is highly recommended that you use only soapy water or a damp cloth.

Garnet

Heating methods are best avoided. Ultrasonic and sonic cleaning is ok, but this should be done with care. Soapy water and ammonia work well.

Onyx (Chalcedony)

When cleaning Onyx, use only soapy water or a damp cloth. Other methods may damage the jewelry.

Opal

The only safe cleaning technique for Opal is soapy water or a damp cloth, as Opal gemstones are particularly prone to fractures.

Pearl

Unlike the other gems in this list, Pearl is not a mineral, it is an organic substance produced by living creatures, therefore it is particularly soft and delicate. Only use soapy water or a damp cloth to clean Pearls as any other method may result in damage.

Peridot

As with Opal and Pearl, the only safe cleaning method for Peridot is soapy water or a damp cloth.

Quartz

Do not use heated cleaning methods, and undertake ultrasonic cleaning with care. Ammonia and soapy water methods work fine.

Ruby

Rubies can be cleaned using heat and ultrasonic methods and any of the less intense methods.

Sapphire

It is safe to clean Sapphire with any of the methods listed including boiling, steaming and ultrasonic cleaning.

Tanzanite

When cleaning Tanzanite, use only soapy water or a damp cloth.

Topaz

Topaz is particularly sensitive to fractures caused by heat or vibration, so it is highly recommended to only use soapy water or a damp cloth when cleaning.

Tourmaline

Avoid heat and ultrasonic methods. Soapy water or ammonia is most appropriate for Tourmaline gemstones.

Tsavorite

Tsavorite can be cleaned using an ultrasonic cleaner, but do not use heat cleaning methods as this can result in cracking. It is safest to simply use soapy water or a damp cloth.

Turqoise

Use only soapy water or a damp cloth when cleaning turqoise.