Material Type |
Soft Stone? |
What it is |
Characteristics |
Sonic Jewelry Cleaing Machine? |
Ultrasonic Cleaner recommended? |
Blitz Liquids? (Shows the Stock #) |
Blitz Polishing Cloth? |
Consult Jeweler on specific
questions? |
Alexandrite |
YES |
Mineral of beryllium and aluminum
oxide. (named after Czar Alexander II) |
Generally stable to light, heat
& chemicals. Do not boil. |
Ultra 2000 with 671 |
NO |
671 |
Traditional Cloth, Moonglow™ 20465 (soft stone) |
YES |
Aluminum |
METAL |
soft METAL |
easy to rub, soft |
YES |
YES |
NO |
NO |
YES |
Agate |
NO |
silica - quartz and quartzlike |
If annodized,
consult with jeweler |
Ultra 2000 with 661 |
NO |
661 |
Traditional Cloth, Moonglow™ 20464 |
YES |
Amber |
YES |
mineralized resin (fosilized tree sap) |
Easily damaged by heat, pressure,
and chemicals. |
NO |
NO |
NO |
Traditional Cloth, Moonglow™ 20465 (soft stone) |
YES |
Amethyst |
YES |
silica - quartz and quartzlike (color comes from iron and other trace
elements) |
Avoid strong heat & abrupt
temperature changes. Boiling may "shock" stone. |
Ultra 2000 with 661 |
NO |
661 |
Traditional Cloth, Moonglow™ 20464 |
YES |
Andalusite |
NO |
alumina, aluminate |
Found with kyanite and sillimanite and sometimes seen as "chiastolite" which can have a "x" or cross
symbol in it |
YES |
YES, with care |
651, 661 |
Traditional Cloth, Moonglow™ 20464 |
YES |
Apatite |
YES |
calcium phosphate with other
traces |
Heat & strong light can cause
color to change or fade. Do not boil. |
NO |
NO |
671, with care
Do not soak, gently apply, never brush. |
Traditional Cloth, Moonglow™ 20465 (soft stone) |
YES |
Aquamarine
(Beryl) |
YES |
berilium, aluminum silicate. Make
sure the consumer is not talking about "blue topaz" which looks
similar but is different. |
Do not boil. Jewelers should check
for inclusions. Acids can cause damage, especially hydrofluoric. |
YES, but be careful it is fragile
and can crack easily. |
NO |
671 |
Traditional Cloth, Moonglow™ 20465 (soft stone) |
YES |
Beryl |
YES |
berilium, aluminum silicate. Make
sure the consumer is not talking about "blue topaz" which looks
similar but is different. |
Do not boil. Jewelers should check
for inclusions. Acids can cause damage, especially hydrofluoric. |
YES, but be careful it is fragile
and can crack easily. |
NO |
671 |
Traditional Cloth, Moonglow™ 20465 (soft stone) |
YES |
Bllodstone |
NO |
silica - quartz and quartzlike |
see agate |
Ultra 2000 with 661 |
NO |
661 |
Traditional Cloth, Moonglow™ 20464 |
YES |
Brass |
METAL |
alloy of copper and zinc - always determine
if item is lacquer coated or laminated. If so, see below |
yellow, shiny, will tarnish and turn
green and dark - sometimes a patina is important and valuable. |
YES |
YES |
609 |
105 for military (non-anodized
medals) & 109 (adds a tarnish resistant agent) |
YES, especially it this is an
artistic or composite piece / never clean an antique or heirloom without
consulting a professional conservator |
Brass |
METAL |
lacquer or laminated coated
brass |
Never rub off the coating.
If you do, consult a professional. |
YES |
YES |
663 |
122 |
YES, especially it this is an
artistic or composite piece |
Bronze |
METAL |
alloy of copper, tim, and trace elements |
Consult a professional conservator |
NO |
NO |
NO |
NO |
YES, especially it this is an artistic
or composite piece |
Cat’s Eye (Chrysoberyl) |
YES |
Not Beryl. It is berylium aluminate. |
Generally stable. Hardness about
like topaz. Chrysolite is an old fashioned
name,. |
YES |
NO |
671 |
Traditional Cloth, Moonglow™ 20465 (soft stone) |
YES |
Chrysolite |
NO |
Not Beryl. It is berylium aluminate. |
Generally stable. Hardness about
like topaz. Chrysolite is an old fashioned
name,. |
YES |
NO |
671 |
Traditional Cloth, Moonglow™ 20465 (soft stone) |
YES |
Citrine
(Quartz) |
NO |
Most commercial citrine is in fact
artificially heated amethyst or smoky quartz. |
Strong heat (jewelers torch) may destroy color. |
YES |
YES, with caution, low setting |
651 (briefly - not a long time),
661 |
NO |
YES |
Composites |
various |
METALs, glass, beads, ceramic,
WOOD, wire, paper, clay, and other items in an artistic blend |
Artists and jewelers are
experimenting with exotic and eclectic items to make 21st century
jewelry |
NO |
NO |
NO |
J-series and only on the uncoated silver,
gold, platinum portions. |
YES |
Coral |
YES |
a kind of sea life skeleton |
Organic material, soft & often
dyed. Do not boil, NO ultrasonic, NO chemicals. |
NO |
NO |
671 for only a breif few seconds. Do not soak. |
Traditional Cloth, Moonglow™ 20466 (pearl) |
YES |
Diamond |
YES |
hardest stone, carbon |
diamond |
YES |
YES |
651 |
Traditional Cloth, Moonglow™ 20464 |
YES |
Diopside |
YES |
Forms: the black star diopside and the chrome diopside (much softer), Violane |
Do not boil or ultrasonic; do not
expose to acid. Very heat-sensitive. |
NO |
NO |
661 |
Traditional Cloth, Moonglow™ 20465 (soft stone) |
YES |
Emerald
(Beryl) |
YES |
Green stone |
Use extreme care. Usually filled with
oil or resins that might be removed with cleaning. (Fillings can be
restored.) Do not boil or ultrasonic. |
YES, with care |
NO |
671 |
Traditional Cloth, Moonglow™ 20465 (soft stone) |
YES |
Garnet |
YES |
Six common species of garnet: pyrope, almandine, spessartite, grossular, uvarovite, and
andradite. |
Avoid heat shock. Almandine
is very hard, but is not usually jewelry grade. Otherwise, somewhat
hard. |
YES |
NO |
661 |
Traditional Cloth, Moonglow™ 20465 (soft stone) |
YES |
Gold |
METAL |
precious METAL, usually alloyed with
copper. Grade is by karat (K) 10K has more copper, 14K has less copper |
lustrous METAL, yellow colored |
YES |
YES |
651 |
J-series |
YES |
Gold Plate |
METAL |
thin layer of gold on a base METAL |
difficult to tell how thick the coating
is. Thin coatings are easily buffed off. |
Only if jeweler is consulted first |
NO |
661 |
Traditional Cloth or Micorfiber 7808 |
YES |
24 K Gold |
METAL |
soft and easily bent. Pure gold |
so soft it rubs easily, bends
easily |
Only if jeweler is consulted first |
Only if jeweler is consulted first |
661 |
Traditional Cloth or Micorfiber 7808 |
|
Iolite |
YES |
magnesium aluminum silicate also
known as cordierite |
Avoid thermal shock. Acids can
damage. |
YES |
NO |
671. (Never use 651) |
Traditional Cloth, Moonglow™ 20465 (soft stone) |
YES |
Jade (Jadeite
& Nephrite) |
YES |
Valuable item. Often
carved. Not always green. |
Often polished with wax finish. Other-
wise, very tough. Avoid high heat, solvents, acids & strong light. Soak
briefly in ammonia, brush & Water-Pik. |
NO |
NO |
NO |
Traditional Cloth, Moonglow™ 20465 (soft stone) |
YES |
Jasper |
NO |
silica - quartz and quartzlike |
see agate |
YES, with care |
NO |
661 |
Traditional Cloth, Moonglow™ 20465 (soft stone) |
YES |
Kunzite (Spodumene) |
YES |
pink variety of spodumene |
Do not boil or ultrasonic. Heat
& strong light can change color. Avoid hydrofluoric acid. |
NO |
NO |
NO |
Traditional Cloth, Moonglow™ 20465 (soft stone) |
YES |
Lapis Lazuli |
YES |
not a mineral. It is a rock
with a mixture of many minerals. |
Do not boil or ultrasonic. Often
dyed. Avoid heat, solvents, acids, strong detergents. |
NO |
NO |
NO |
Traditional Cloth, Moonglow™ 20465 (soft stone) |
YES |
Malachite |
YES |
copper carbonate |
Do not boil or ultrasonic. Avoid
heat, solvents, acids. Clean gently with soapy
water. |
2000 - YES, with gentle care and
671 |
NO |
671, do not soak |
Traditional Cloth, Moonglow™ 20465 (soft stone) |
YES |
Moissonite |
YES |
hardest stone, carbon |
diamond |
YES |
YES |
651 |
Traditional Cloth, Moonglow™ 20464 |
YES |
Mother of
Pearl |
YES |
Remnant of oyster, occassionally clams |
Organic; avoid chemicals, hair
spray, perfume, perspiration. Very soft. Do not boil or ultrasonic. Wipe with
soft, damp cloth after wearing. Do not store for long periods without
checking and cleaning. Check strings annually with jeweler. |
NO |
NO |
671 |
Traditional Cloth, Moonglow™ 20466 (pearl) |
YES |
Opal |
YES |
pearlescent stone |
Very delicate & heat
sensitive. Do not boil or ultrasonic. Avoid all solvents, acids, heat, abrasion. Brush with soapy water; brush accent gems. |
NO |
NO |
671 |
Traditional Cloth, Moonglow™ 20465 (soft stone) |
YES |
Pearls |
YES |
Oyster product, sometimes of
clams, color varies, shape varies. |
Organic; avoid chemicals, hair
spray, perfume, perspiration. Very soft. Do not boil or ultrasonic. Wipe with
soft, damp cloth after wearing. Do not store for long periods without
checking and cleaning. Check strings annually with jeweler. |
NO |
NO |
671 |
Traditional Cloth, Moonglow™ 20466 (pearl) |
YES |
Peridot |
YES |
also known as olivine, magnesium and
iron silicate |
May fracture if heat-shocked.
Damaged by acids. |
NO |
NO |
|
Traditional Cloth, Moonglow™ 20465 (soft stone) |
YES |
pewter |
METAL |
alloy of tin, copper, antimony,
and lead |
dark color, soft, easly cast |
YES, with water |
consult jeweler or professional |
water, 661 |
Microfiber 7808 |
YES |
platinum |
METAL |
platinum METAL, silverish in color |
durable, will not tarnish |
YES |
YES |
651 |
J-series |
YES |
Quartz |
YES |
silica |
Avoid strong heat & abrupt temperature
changes. Boiling & ultrasonic should be done with care not to
"shock" stone. Soak in ammonia & brush. |
Ultra 2000 with 661 |
NO |
661 |
NO |
YES |
Rhodium Plated |
METAL |
a thin layer of rhodium on silver |
hard, tarnish resistant rhodium over
silver keeps the silver bright. Excessive rubbing can damage this. |
2000 with 661 |
NO |
661 |
NO |
YES |
Ruby &
Sapphire (Corundum) |
YES |
Make sure the ruby or sapphire is
not dyed. If it is, treat carefully or take to jeweler. |
Boiling and ultrasonic generally
safe. Soak in ammonia & brush. Water-Pik with
hot, soapy water. May have glass-filled cavities that could be dislodged. |
YES, if not dyed. |
YES, if not dyed. |
651, 661 |
Traditional Cloth, Moonglow™ 20464 |
YES |
Silver |
METAL |
pure silver |
easily bent, tarnishes readily |
YES, not if it has beads, glued in
stones, ornaments, leather, or coated |
YES, not if it has beads, glued in
stones, ornaments, leather, or coated |
651 but not if it has beads, glued
in stones, ornaments, leather, or coated |
NO |
YES |
Sterling
Silver |
METAL |
alloy of silver and copper |
durable, tarnishes |
YES, not if it has beads, glued in
stones, ornaments, leather, or coated |
YES, not if it has beads, glued in
stones, ornaments, leather, or coated |
651 but not if it has beads, glued
in stones, ornaments, leather, or coated |
NO |
YES |
Silver Plate |
METAL |
|
use caution |
NO |
651 but not if it has beads, glued
in stones, ornaments, leather, or coated |
NO |
YES |
Spinel |
YES |
magnesium aluminate |
avoid heat shock. Sonic cleaning OK
Jewelers’ torch may fade light colors. |
YES |
NO |
661 |
Traditional Cloth, Moonglow™ 20465 (soft stone) |
YES |
stainless
steel |
METAL |
alloy of iron, carbon, and
chromium (and other trace elements) |
Used in watches, and more recently
rings and jewlery. |
YES (never immerse a watch) |
YES (never immerse a watch) |
661.651 (never immerse a watch) |
Traditional Cloth, Moonglow™ 20464, microfiber 7808, J-series |
YES |
Tanzanite (Zoisite) |
YES |
hydroxide of acalcium,
aluminum and silica |
Do not boil or ultrasonic. Will
fracture if shocked. Damaged by hydrofluoric & hydrochloric acids. Soak
in ammonia & brush, Water-Pik accent stones.. |
only after consulting with jewler to ok |
NO |
661 |
Traditional Cloth, Moonglow™ 20465 (soft stone) |
YES |
Tiger Eye |
NO |
silica - quartz and quartzlike |
Agates are structurally identical
to jasper , flint, chert,
bloodstone , and tiger-eye. |
Ultra 2000 with 661 |
NO |
661 |
Traditional Cloth, Moonglow™ 20464 |
YES |
Tinted Stones |
POSSIBLE |
laminated, painted, or surface
enhanced stone |
The surface has the primary color. |
NO |
NO |
NO |
NO |
YES |
Titanium
Jewelry |
METAL |
Micro-thin layers of a mineral (titaniam oxides) on a METAL substrate |
Iridescent colors are the main
feature. |
NO |
NO |
Don't immerse. Use 661
on a damp, soft cloth. |
NO |
YES |
Topaz |
YES |
do not confuse with citrine.
Comes in many colors. |
Fractures if shocked. |
YES, with care |
onoly if jeweler recommends |
661 |
Traditional Cloth, Moonglow™ 20465 (soft stone) |
YES |
Turquoise |
YES |
copper containing mineral, robin's egg
blue usually, often with streaks and stripes and specks. |
Do not boil. Attacked by acids.
Cosmetics or perspiration may discolor stone. Many are dyed or
"stabilized" with resins. |
NO |
NO |
check with your jeweler. If it
contains waxes, or has been coated, use caution. |
Traditional Cloth, Moonglow™ 20465 (soft stone) |
YES |
WOOD |
WOOD |
lacquered, coated, or kiln dried
WOODed item |
many WOODs (teak, ebony, and so forth)
make valuable ornaments. Water in any form can ward, distort, or
damage. |
NO |
NO |
NO |
Traditional Cloth, Moonglow™ 20465 (soft stone) |
YES |
Zirconia, cubic ziconia |
YES |
hardest stone, carbon |
diamond |
YES |
YES |
651 |
Traditional Cloth, Moonglow™ 20464 |
YES |
