In today’s gemstone market, many stones have been enhanced through different kind of methods and those processes can involve simple heating to high-tech irradiation. Some enhanced stones are less durable than the others to the point that the appearance of the stone may change with time. Thus, these enhanced stones need more care than the other gemstones.

Enhanced stones have different characteristics and the way they were treated or enhanced. It is what makes them differ from each other and that includes the special care and cleaning. Some enhance stones should never be put in the Ultrasonic Cleaner. Others should never be heated with a jeweler’s torch or a steam cleaner and should only be cleaned by hand.

Below are the most popular gemstones that when enhanced, need special care.

Alexandrite

Do not expose to intense heat. Gently clean it with warm soapy water and a Soft Bristle Brush or cloth.

Amethyst

Do not expose to intense heat. Gently clean it with warm soapy water and a Soft Bristle brush or cloth.

Aquamarine

Never use an ultrasonic cleaner. Gently clean it with warm soapy water and a soft Bristle Brush or cloth.

Citrine

Do not expose to intense heat. Gently clean it with warm soapy water and a soft bristle brush or cloth.

Cubic Zirconia

Gently clean it with warm soapy water and a soft bristle brush or cloth.

Colorless Diamond

Gently clean it with warm soapy water and a soft bristle brush or cloth.

Colored Diamond

Gently clean it with warm soapy water and a soft bristle brush or cloth.

Emerald

Never use an ultrasonic cleaner. Avoid rapid switch of temperature. Do not expose in heat and avoid contact with cosmetics, hair spray, perfume and other household chemicals. Gently clean it with warm soapy water and a soft bristle brush or cloth.

Garnet

Gently clean it with warm soapy water and a soft bristle brush or cloth.

Green Quartz

Do not expose to intense heat. Gently clean it with warm soapy water and a soft bristle brush or cloth.

Jade

Gently wipe it with a soft cloth after wearing using a gem cleaner. Never use any chemical cleaners. Never use an ultrasonic cleaner. Do not use while swimming and hot tubs as the chlorine in pools can damage it.

Lab-Created Gemstones

Avoid contact with strong detergents. Never expose to heat, pressure and ultrasonic cleaner. Avoid re-polishing or re-cutting of the stone. Clean with warm soapy water and a soft brush or cloth.

Morganite

Gently clean it with warm soapy water and a soft bristle brush or cloth.

Onyx

Extreme light and heat pressure can make the stone fade. Gently clean it with warm soapy water and a soft bristle brush or cloth.

Opal

Never use an ultrasonic cleaner. Do not expose to heat and avoid contact with cosmetics, hair spray, perfume and other household chemicals. Clean with a damp cloth or soft bristle brush.

Peridot

Never use an ultrasonic cleaner. Avoid rapid switch of temperature and contact with harsh chemicals.

Quartz

Avoid abrasives, harsh chemicals and ultrasonic cleaning. Gently clean it with warm soapy water and a soft bristle brush or cloth.

Rhodolite Garnet

Gently clean it with warm soapy water and a soft bristle brush or cloth.

Rubies

Avoid strong detergents. Never expose to heat, pressure and ultrasonic cleaner.. Avoid re-polishing or re-cutting of the stone. Gently clean it with warm soapy water and a soft bristle brush or cloth.

Sapphire

Avoid using strong detergents. Never expose to heat, pressure and ultrasonic cleaner. Avoid re-polishing or re-cutting of the stone. Gently clean it with warm soapy water and a soft bristle brush or cloth.

Tanzanite

Never use an ultrasonic cleaner. Avoid rapid switch of temperature. Clean with a damp cloth or soft bristle brush.

Topaz

Gently clean it with warm soapy water and a soft bristle brush or cloth.

Zircon

Avoid abrasives, rough handling and exposure to excessive light. Gently clean it with warm soapy water and a soft bristle brush or cloth.