| Material |
Variety / Type |
Commercial Name |
Hardness |
Country of Origin |
Possible Modification & frequency of use |
Stability |
Care Advice |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Andalusite |
|
Andalusite |
7.5 |
Sri Lanka, Brazil, Russia, Canada, Australia, USA |
None |
N/A |
Normal care - With all gemstones and organic substances avoid rough handling and when not in wear, keep items of jewelry separated to avoid scratches. Clean with warm soapy water and gentle brushing. Ultrasonic cleaners should only be used with caution. |
| Apatite |
|
Apatite |
5 |
Madagascar, Sri Lanka, Mynmar |
None |
N/A |
Normal care - With all gemstones and organic substances avoid rough handling and when not in wear, keep items of jewelry separated to avoid scratches. Clean with warm soapy water and gentle brushing. Ultrasonic cleaners should only be used with caution. Some stones are prone to scratching due to low hardness. Wear with care. Some stones are susceptible to damage from ultrasonic cleaning. Do not expose them to ultrasonic cleaning. |
| Beryl |
Emerald (Green colour due to chromium +/- vanadium) |
Emerald |
7.5 |
India, Africa |
None |
N/A |
Normal care - With all gemstones and organic substances avoid rough handling and when not in wear, keep items of jewelry separated to avoid scratches. Clean with warm soapy water and gentle brushing. Ultrasonic cleaners should only be used with caution. If there are fissures or fractures. Some stones cleave or fracture easily or are prone to the effect of brittleness e.g. rubbed facet edges. Wear them with care. Some stones are susceptible to damage from ultrasonic cleaning. Do not expose them to ultrasonic cleaning. |
| Beryl |
Emerald (Green colour due to chromium +/- vanadium) |
Columbian Emerald |
7.5 |
Columbia |
Colorless oils wax and resins in fissures (usually) |
Unstable |
Normal care - With all gemstones and organic substances avoid rough handling and when not in wear, keep items of jewelry separated to avoid scratches. Clean with warm soapy water and gentle brushing. Ultrasonic cleaners should only be used with caution. Some stones cleave or fracture easily or are prone to the effects of brittleness e.g. rubbed facet edges. Wear them with care. Some stones are susceptible to damage from ultrasonic cleaning. Do not expose them to ultrasonic cleaning. Modifications to stones with dye, oil, resin, wax or plastic are not permanent. Keep away from all solvents (including various dish-washing liquids), chemicals and heat. Fillers in voids/cavities, fissures, and/or open fractures, such as glass, plastic or hardened resin, can scratch more easily than the host stone or be more vulnerable to damage from heat or some acids (e.g. hydrofluoric). Keep away from all chemicals, heat or abrasives. |
|
Emerald (Green colour due to chromium +/- vanadium) |
Zambian Emerald |
7.5 |
Zambia |
Dyed with the use of colored oils (occasionally) |
Unstable |
Normal care - With all gemstones and organic substances avoid rough handling and when not in wear, keep items of jewelry separated to avoid scratches. Clean with warm soapy water and gentle brushing. Ultrasonic cleaners should only be used with caution. Some stones cleave or fracture easily or are prone to the effects of brittleness e.g. rubbed facet edges. Wear them with care. Some stones are susceptible to damage from ultrasonic cleaning. Do not expose them to ultrasonic cleaning. Modifications to stones with dye, oil, resin, wax or plastic are not permanent. Keep away from all solvents (including various dish-washing liquids), chemicals and heat. |
|
Emerald (Green colour due to chromium +/- vanadium) |
Emerald |
7.5 |
Columbia, Brazil |
Open fractures or cavities filled with hardened resins (commonly) |
Unstable |
Normal care - With all gemstones and organic substances avoid rough handling and when not in wear, keep items of jewelry separated to avoid scratches. Clean with warm soapy water and gentle brushing. Ultrasonic cleaners should only be used with caution. Some stones cleave or fracture easily or are prone to the effects of brittleness e.g. rubbed facet edges. Wear them with care. Some stones are susceptible to damage from ultrasonic cleaning. Do not expose them to ultrasonic cleaning. Modifications to stones with dye, oil, resin, wax or plastic are not permanent. Keep away from all solvents (including various dish-washing liquids), chemicals and heat. |
|
Aquamarine |
Aquamarine |
7.5 |
Brazil, Africa |
None (Rarely) |
N/A |
Normal care - With all gemstones and organic substances avoid rough handling and when not in wear, keep items of jewelry separated to avoid scratches. Clean with warm soapy water and gentle brushing. Ultrasonic cleaners should only be used with caution. |
|
Aquamarine |
Aquamarine |
7.5 |
Russia, Africa |
Heated (usually) |
Stable |
Normal care - With all gemstones and organic substances avoid rough handling and when not in wear, keep items of jewelry separated to avoid scratches. Clean with warm soapy water and gentle brushing. Ultrasonic cleaners should only be used with caution. |
|
Goshenite |
Goshenite, or Colorless Beryl |
7.5 |
Brazil, Canada, USSR |
None |
N/A |
Normal care - With all gemstones and organic substances avoid rough handling and when not in wear, keep items of jewelry separated to avoid scratches. Clean with warm soapy water and gentle brushing. Ultrasonic cleaners should only be used with caution. |
|
Heliodor |
Heliodor, or Yellow Beryl, or Golden Beryl |
7.5 |
Brazil, Russia, Madagascar, Ukraine, Namibia |
None |
N/A |
Normal care - With all gemstones and organic substances avoid rough handling and when not in wear, keep items of jewelry separated to avoid scratches. Clean with warm soapy water and gentle brushing. Ultrasonic cleaners should only be used with caution. |
|
Heliodor |
Heliodor, or Yellow Beryl, or Golden Beryl |
7.5 |
Brazil, Russia, Madagascar, Ukraine, Namibia |
Irradiated (usually) |
Variable |
Normal care - With all gemstones and organic substances avoid rough handling and when not in wear, keep items of jewelry separated to avoid scratches. Clean with warm soapy water and gentle brushing. Ultrasonic cleaners should only be used with caution. Some stones fade or revert to original colour when exposed to strong light. Do not wear or leave them for extended periods under these conditions. |
|
Morganite |
Morganite, or Pink Beryl |
7.5 |
Brazil, Madagascar |
None |
N/A |
Normal care - With all gemstones and organic substances avoid rough handling and when not in wear, keep items of jewelry separated to avoid scratches. Clean with warm soapy water and gentle brushing. Ultrasonic cleaners should only be used with caution. |
|
Morganite |
Morganite, or Pink Beryl |
7.5 |
Brazil, Madagascar |
Heated (commonly) |
Stable |
Normal care - With all gemstones and organic substances avoid rough handling and when not in wear, keep items of jewelry separated to avoid scratches. Clean with warm soapy water and gentle brushing. Ultrasonic cleaners should only be used with caution. |
|
(other colours) |
Beryl with colour prefixes e.g., Green Beryl, Red Beryl etc. |
|
Brazil, Madagascar, USA (Red Beryl) |
None |
N/A |
Normal care - With all gemstones and organic substances avoid rough handling and when not in wear, keep items of jewelry separated to avoid scratches. Clean with warm soapy water and gentle brushing. Ultrasonic cleaners should only be used with caution. |
| Chrysoberyl |
|
Chrysoberyl |
8.5 |
India, Brazil |
None |
N/A |
Normal care - With all gemstones and organic substances avoid rough handling and when not in wear, keep items of jewelry separated to avoid scratches. Clean with warm soapy water and gentle brushing. Ultrasonic cleaners should only be used with caution. |
|
Chrysoberyl Cat's-eye, Cymophane |
Chrysoberyl Cat's-eye, or Cat's-eye |
8.5 |
Sri Lanka, Brazil, China |
None |
N/A |
Normal care - With all gemstones and organic substances avoid rough handling and when not in wear, keep items of jewelry separated to avoid scratches. Clean with warm soapy water and gentle brushing. Ultrasonic cleaners should only be used with caution. |
|
Alexandrite (definite colour change due to chromium) |
Alexandrite |
8.5 |
Myanmar, Brazil, Sri Lanka, India |
None |
N/A |
Normal care - With all gemstones and organic substances avoid rough handling and when not in wear, keep items of jewelry separated to avoid scratches. Clean with warm soapy water and gentle brushing. Ultrasonic cleaners should only be used with caution. |
|
Alexandrite (definite colour change due to chromium) |
Alexandrite |
|
Myanmar, Brazil, Sri Lanka, India |
Colorless oils wax and resins in fissures (rarely) |
Unstable |
Normal care - With all gemstones and organic substances avoid rough handling and when not in wear, keep items of jewelry separated to avoid scratches. Clean with warm soapy water and gentle brushing. Ultrasonic cleaners should only be used with caution. Some stones cleave or fracture easily or are prone to the effects of brittleness e.g. rubbed facet edges. Wear them with care. Some stones are susceptible to damage from ultrasonic cleaning. Do not expose them to ultrasonic cleaning. Modifications to stones with dye, oil, resin, wax or plastic are not permanent. Keep away from all solvents (including various dish-washing liquids), chemicals and heat. |
| Corundum |
Ruby |
Ruby |
9 |
Myanmar, Thailand, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Vietnam |
None |
N/A |
Normal care - With all gemstones and organic substances avoid rough handling and when not in wear, keep items of jewelry separated to avoid scratches. Clean with warm soapy water and gentle brushing. Ultrasonic cleaners should only be used with caution. |
|
Ruby |
Ruby |
9 |
Myanmar, India, Africa, Thailand |
Heated (usually) |
Stable |
Normal care - With all gemstones and organic substances avoid rough handling and when not in wear, keep items of jewelry separated to avoid scratches. Clean with warm soapy water and gentle brushing. Ultrasonic cleaners should only be used with caution. |
|
Ruby |
Ruby |
9 |
Myanmar, India, Africa, Thailand |
The healing of fissures (commonly) |
Stable |
Normal care - With all gemstones and organic substances avoid rough handling and when not in wear, keep items of jewelry separated to avoid scratches. Clean with warm soapy water and gentle brushing. Ultrasonic cleaners should only be used with caution. |
|
Ruby |
Ruby |
9 |
Myanmar, India, Africa, Thailand |
Glass filled open fractures and cavities (occasionally) |
Stable |
Fillers in voids/cavities, fissures, and/or open fractures, such as glass, plastic or hardened resin, can scratch more easily than the host stone or be more vulnerable to damage from heat or some acids (e.g. hydrofluoric). Keep away from all chemicals, heat or abrasives. Some stones are particularly susceptible to attack by acids. Keep them away from acids. Normal care - With all gemstones and organic substances avoid rough handling and when not in wear, keep items of jewelry separated to avoid scratches. Clean with warm soapy water and gentle brushing. Ultrasonic cleaners should only be used with caution. |
|
Ruby |
Ruby |
9 |
Myanmar, India, Africa, Thailand |
Lead glass filled open fractures and cavities (occasionally) |
Unstable |
Fillers in voids/cavities, fissures, and/or open fractures, such as glass, plastic or hardened resin, can scratch more easily than the host stone or be more vulnerable to damage from heat or some acids (e.g. hydrofluoric). Keep away from all chemicals, heat or abrasives. Some stones are particularly susceptible to attack by acids. Keep them away from acids. Normal care - With all gemstones and organic substances avoid rough handling and when not in wear, keep items of jewelry separated to avoid scratches. Clean with warm soapy water and gentle brushing. Ultrasonic cleaners should only be used with caution. |
|
Ruby |
Ruby |
9 |
Myanmar, India, Africa, Thailand |
Dyed (Occasionally) |
Unstable |
Normal care - With all gemstones and organic substances avoid rough handling and when not in wear, keep items of jewelry separated to avoid scratches. Clean with warm soapy water and gentle brushing. Ultrasonic cleaners should only be used with caution. Some stones are susceptible to damage from ultrasonic cleaning. Do not expose them to ultrasonic cleaning. Modifications to stones with dye, oil, resin, wax or plastic are not permanent. Keep away from all solvents (including various dish-washing liquids), chemicals and heat. |
|
Ruby |
Ruby |
9 |
Myanmar, India, Africa, Thailand |
Introduction/diffusion of certain element(s) during the heating process (rarely) |
Stable |
Normal care - With all gemstones and organic substances avoid rough handling and when not in wear, keep items of jewelry separated to avoid scratches. Clean with warm soapy water and gentle brushing. Ultrasonic cleaners should only be used with caution. Stones with superficial colour (or phenomena) surface layers are not suitable for re-cutting or re-polishing. (Shallow) |
|
Ruby |
Ruby |
9 |
Myanmar, India, Africa, Thailand |
Colourless oil or unstable resin in fissures (occasionally) |
Unstable |
Normal care - With all gemstones and organic substances avoid rough handling and when not in wear, keep items of jewelry separated to avoid scratches. Clean with warm soapy water and gentle brushing. Ultrasonic cleaners should only be used with caution. Some stones are prone to scratching due to low hardness. Wear with care. Some stones are susceptible to damage from ultrasonic cleaning. Do not expose them to ultrasonic cleaning. Modifications to stones with dye, oil, resin, wax or plastic are not permanent. Keep away from all solvents (including various dish-washing liquids), chemicals and heat. |
|
Ruby |
Ruby |
9 |
Myanmar, India, Africa, Thailand |
Coloured oil in unstable fissures (rarely) |
Unstable |
Normal care - With all gemstones and organic substances avoid rough handling and when not in wear, keep items of jewelry separated to avoid scratches. Clean with warm soapy water and gentle brushing. Ultrasonic cleaners should only be used with caution. Some stones cleave or fracture easily or are prone to the effects of brittleness e.g. rubbed facet edges. Wear them with care. Some stones are susceptible to damage from ultrasonic cleaning. Do not expose them to ultrasonic cleaning. Modifications to stones with dye, oil, resin, wax or plastic are not permanent. Keep away from all solvents (including various dish-washing liquids), chemicals and heat. |
|
Star Ruby |
Star Ruby |
9 |
Myanmar, India, Africa, Thailand |
None |
N/A |
Normal care - With all gemstones and organic substances avoid rough handling and when not in wear, keep items of jewelry separated to avoid scratches. Clean with warm soapy water and gentle brushing. Ultrasonic cleaners should only be used with caution. |
|
Star Ruby |
Star Ruby |
9 |
Myanmar, India, Africa, Thailand |
Heated |
Stable |
Normal care - With all gemstones and organic substances avoid rough handling and when not in wear, keep items of jewelry separated to avoid scratches. Clean with warm soapy water and gentle brushing. Ultrasonic cleaners should only be used with caution. |
|
Star Ruby |
Star Ruby |
9 |
Myanmar, India, Africa, Thailand |
Dyed (rarely) |
Unstable |
Normal care - With all gemstones and organic substances avoid rough handling and when not in wear, keep items of jewelry separated to avoid scratches. Clean with warm soapy water and gentle brushing. Ultrasonic cleaners should only be used with caution. Some stones are prone to scratching due to low hardness. Wear with care. Some stones are susceptible to damage from ultrasonic cleaning. Do not expose them to ultrasonic cleaning. Modifications to stones with dye, oil, resin, wax or plastic are not permanent. Keep away from all solvents (including various dish-washing liquids), chemicals and heat. |
|
Star Ruby |
Star Ruby |
9 |
Myanmar, India, Africa, Thailand |
Colourless oil in fissures (occasionally) |
Unstable |
Normal care - With all gemstones and organic substances avoid rough handling and when not in wear, keep items of jewelry separated to avoid scratches. Clean with warm soapy water and gentle brushing. Ultrasonic cleaners should only be used with caution. Some stones cleave or fracture easily or are prone to the effects of brittleness e.g. rubbed facet edges. Wear them with care. Some stones are susceptible to damage from ultrasonic cleaning. Do not expose them to ultrasonic cleaning. Modifications to stones with dye, oil, resin, wax or plastic are not permanent. Keep away from all solvents (including various dish-washing liquids), chemicals and heat. |
|
Star Ruby (with asterism) |
Star Ruby |
9 |
Myanmar, India, Africa, Thailand |
Introduction/diffusion of certain element(s) during the heating process (rarely) |
Stable |
Normal care - With all gemstones and organic substances avoid rough handling and when not in wear, keep items of jewelry separated to avoid scratches. Clean with warm soapy water and gentle brushing. Ultrasonic cleaners should only be used with caution. Stones with superficial colour (or phenomena) surface layers are not suitable for re-cutting or re-polishing. (Shallow) |
|
Sapphire (blue) |
Sapphire |
9 |
Sri Lanka, India, Myanmar, Australia, Nigeria |
None |
N/A |
Normal care - With all gemstones and organic substances avoid rough handling and when not in wear, keep items of jewelry separated to avoid scratches. Clean with warm soapy water and gentle brushing. Ultrasonic cleaners should only be used with caution. |
|
Sapphire (blue) |
Sapphire |
9 |
Sri Lanka, India, Myanmar, Australia, Nigeria |
Heated (usually) |
N/A |
Normal care - With all gemstones and organic substances avoid rough handling and when not in wear, keep items of jewelry separated to avoid scratches. Clean with warm soapy water and gentle brushing. Ultrasonic cleaners should only be used with caution. |
|
Sapphire (blue) |
Sapphire |
9 |
Sri Lanka, India, Myanmar, Australia, Nigeria |
Glass filled open fractures and cavities (rarely) |
Stable |
Normal care - With all gemstones and organic substances avoid rough handling and when not in wear, keep items of jewelry separated to avoid scratches. Clean with warm soapy water and gentle brushing. Ultrasonic cleaners should only be used with caution. Fillers in voids/cavities, fissures, and/or open fractures, such as glass, plastic or hardened resin, can scratch more easily than the host stone or be more vulnerable to damage from heat or some acids (e.g. hydrofluoric). Keep away from all chemicals, heat or abrasives. |
|
Sapphire (blue) |
Sapphire |
9 |
Sri Lanka, India, Myanmar, Australia, Nigeria |
Introduction/diffusion of certain element(s) during the heating process (rarely) |
Stable |
Normal care - With all gemstones and organic substances avoid rough handling and when not in wear, keep items of jewelry separated to avoid scratches. Clean with warm soapy water and gentle brushing. Ultrasonic cleaners should only be used with caution. Stones with superficial colour (or phenomena) surface layers are not suitable for re-cutting or re-polishing. (Shallow) |
|
Sapphire (blue) |
Sapphire |
9 |
Sri Lanka, India, Myanmar, Australia, Nigeria |
Colourless oil or resin in fissures (occasionally) |
Unstable |
Normal care - With all gemstones and organic substances avoid rough handling and when not in wear, keep items of jewelry separated to avoid scratches. Clean with warm soapy water and gentle brushing. Ultrasonic cleaners should only be used with caution. Some stones are prone to scratching due to low hardness. Wear with care. Some stones are susceptible to damage from ultrasonic cleaning. Do not expose them to ultrasonic cleaning. Modifications to stones with dye, oil, resin, wax or plastic are not permanent. Keep away from all solvents (including various dish-washing liquids), chemicals and heat. |
|
Star Sapphire (blue) |
Star Sapphire |
9 |
Sri Lanka, India, Myanmar, Australia, Nigeria |
None |
N/A |
Normal care - With all gemstones and organic substances avoid rough handling and when not in wear, keep items of jewelry separated to avoid scratches. Clean with warm soapy water and gentle brushing. Ultrasonic cleaners should only be used with caution. |
|
Star Sapphire (blue) |
Star Sapphire |
9 |
Sri Lanka, India, Myanmar, Australia, Nigeria |
Introduction/diffusion of certain element(s) during the heating process (rarely) |
Stable |
Normal care - With all gemstones and organic substances avoid rough handling and when not in wear, keep items of jewelry separated to avoid scratches. Clean with warm soapy water and gentle brushing. Ultrasonic cleaners should only be used with caution. Stones with superficial colour (or phenomena) surface layers are not suitable for re-cutting or re-polishing. (Shallow) |
|
Star Sapphire (other colours) |
Star Sapphire with colour prefix |
9 |
Sri Lanka, India, Myanmar, Australia, Nigeria |
None |
N/A |
Normal care - With all gemstones and organic substances avoid rough handling and when not in wear, keep items of jewelry separated to avoid scratches. Clean with warm soapy water and gentle brushing. Ultrasonic cleaners should only be used with caution. |
|
Star Sapphire (other colours) |
Star Sapphire with colour prefix |
9 |
Sri Lanka, India, Myanmar, Australia, Nigeria |
Heater (occasionally) |
Stable |
Normal care - With all gemstones and organic substances avoid rough handling and when not in wear, keep items of jewelry separated to avoid scratches. Clean with warm soapy water and gentle brushing. Ultrasonic cleaners should only be used with caution. |
|
Star Sapphire (other colours) |
Star Sapphire with colour prefix |
9 |
Sri Lanka, India, Myanmar, Australia, Nigeria |
Introduction/diffusion of certain element(s) during the heating process (rarely) |
Stable |
Normal care - With all gemstones and organic substances avoid rough handling and when not in wear, keep items of jewelry separated to avoid scratches. Clean with warm soapy water and gentle brushing. Ultrasonic cleaners should only be used with caution. Stones with superficial colour (or phenomena) surface layers are not suitable for re-cutting or re-polishing. (Shallow) |
|
Padparadscha (subtle mixture of pink and orange) |
Padparadscha, or Pink Orange Sapphire |
9 |
Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Australia, Nigeria |
None |
N/A |
Normal care - With all gemstones and organic substances avoid rough handling and when not in wear, keep items of jewelry separated to avoid scratches. Clean with warm soapy water and gentle brushing. Ultrasonic cleaners should only be used with caution. |
|
Padparadscha (subtle mixture of pink and orange) |
Padparadscha, or Pink Orange Sapphire |
9 |
Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Australia, Nigeria |
Heated |
Stable |
Normal care - With all gemstones and organic substances avoid rough handling and when not in wear, keep items of jewelry separated to avoid scratches. Clean with warm soapy water and gentle brushing. Ultrasonic cleaners should only be used with caution. |
|
Pink-Orange |
Pink-Orange Sapphire |
9 |
Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Australia, Nigeria |
Introduction/diffusion of certain element(s) during the heating process (commonly) |
Stable |
Normal care - With all gemstones and organic substances avoid rough handling and when not in wear, keep items of jewelry separated to avoid scratches. Clean with warm soapy water and gentle brushing. Ultrasonic cleaners should only be used with caution. Stones with superficial colour (or phenomena) surface layers are not suitable for re-cutting or re-polishing. (Shallow) |
|
Orange |
Orange Sapphire |
9 |
Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Australia, Nigeria |
Introduction/diffusion of certain element(s) during the heating process (usually) |
Stable |
Normal care - With all gemstones and organic substances avoid rough handling and when not in wear, keep items of jewelry separated to avoid scratches. Clean with warm soapy water and gentle brushing. Ultrasonic cleaners should only be used with caution. Stones with superficial colour (or phenomena) surface layers are not suitable for re-cutting or re-polishing. (Shallow) |
|
Other Colours |
Sapphire with colour prefix, or Corundum with colour prefix |
9 |
Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Australia, Nigeria |
None |
stable (Some yellow are unstable) |
Normal care - With all gemstones and organic substances avoid rough handling and when not in wear, keep items of jewelry separated to avoid scratches. Clean with warm soapy water and gentle brushing. Ultrasonic cleaners should only be used with caution. |
|
Other Colours |
Sapphire with colour prefix, or Corundum with colour prefix |
9 |
Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Australia, Nigeria |
Heated (occasionally) |
stable |
Normal care - With all gemstones and organic substances avoid rough handling and when not in wear, keep items of jewelry separated to avoid scratches. Clean with warm soapy water and gentle brushing. Ultrasonic cleaners should only be used with caution. |
|
Other Colours |
Sapphire with colour prefix, or Corundum with colour prefix |
9 |
Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Australia, Nigeria |
Introduction/diffusion of certain element(s) during the heating process (rarely) |
stable |
Normal care - With all gemstones and organic substances avoid rough handling and when not in wear, keep items of jewelry separated to avoid scratches. Clean with warm soapy water and gentle brushing. Ultrasonic cleaners should only be used with caution. Stones with superficial colour (or phenomena) surface layers are not suitable for re-cutting or re-polishing. (Shallow) |
|
Other Colours |
Sapphire with colour prefix, or Corundum with colour prefix |
9 |
Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Australia, Nigeria |
Irradiation to produce yellow colour (rarely) |
Unstable |
Normal care - With all gemstones and organic substances avoid rough handling and when not in wear, keep items of jewelry separated to avoid scratches. Clean with warm soapy water and gentle brushing. Ultrasonic cleaners should only be used with caution. Some stones fade rapidly unless kept in the dark. |
| Danburite |
|
Danburite |
7 |
Myanmar, USA, Mexico,Switzerland, Italy, Japan |
None |
N/A |
Normal care - With all gemstones and organic substances avoid rough handling and when not in wear, keep items of jewelry separated to avoid scratches. Clean with warm soapy water and gentle brushing. Ultrasonic cleaners should only be used with caution. Some stones are susceptible to damage from ultrasonic cleaning. Do not expose them to ultrasonic cleaning. |
| Diamond |
|
Diamond |
10 |
South Africa, Australia, Russia, Brazil, USA, Sierra Leone, Zaire, Bostwana, Namibia, Canada |
--- |
--- |
--- |
| Diopside |
|
Diopside |
5.5 |
Myanmar, Siberia (Russia), Pakistan, Austria, USA, Madagascar, Brazil, Canada, Sri Lanka |
None |
N/A |
Normal care - With all gemstones and organic substances avoid rough handling and when not in wear, keep items of jewelry separated to avoid scratches. Clean with warm soapy water and gentle brushing. Ultrasonic cleaners should only be used with caution. Some stones cleave or fracture easily or are prone to the effects of brittleness e.g. rubbed facet edges. Wear them with care. Some stones are susceptible to damage from ultrasonic cleaning. Do not expose them to ultrasonic cleaning. |
|
Chrome Diopside (green color due to chromium) |
Chrome Diopside |
5.5 |
Myanmar, Siberia (Russia), Pakistan, Austria, USA, Madagascar, Brazil, Canada, Sri Lanka |
None |
N/A |
Normal care - With all gemstones and organic substances avoid rough handling and when not in wear, keep items of jewelry separated to avoid scratches. Clean with warm soapy water and gentle brushing. Ultrasonic cleaners should only be used with caution. Some stones are prone to scratching due to low hardness. Wear with care. Some stones are susceptible to damage from ultrasonic cleaning. Do not expose them to ultrasonic cleaning. |
|
Violane (purple) |
Violan, or Violane |
5.5 |
Myanmar, Siberia (Russia), Pakistan, Austria, USA, Madagascar, Brazil, Canada, Sri Lanka |
None |
N/A |
Normal care - With all gemstones and organic substances avoid rough handling and when not in wear, keep items of jewelry separated to avoid scratches. Clean with warm soapy water and gentle brushing. Ultrasonic cleaners should only be used with caution. Some stones are prone to scratching due to low hardness. Wear with care. Some stones are susceptible to damage from ultrasonic cleaning. Do not expose them to ultrasonic cleaning. |
|
Star Diopside |
Star Diopside |
5.5 |
Myanmar, Siberia (Russia), Pakistan, Austria, USA, Madagascar, Brazil, Canada, Sri Lanka |
None |
N/A |
Normal care - With all gemstones and organic substances avoid rough handling and when not in wear, keep items of jewelry separated to avoid scratches. Clean with warm soapy water and gentle brushing. Ultrasonic cleaners should only be used with caution. Some stones are prone to scratching due to low hardness. Wear with care. Some stones are susceptible to damage from ultrasonic cleaning. Do not expose them to ultrasonic cleaning. |
| Labradorite |
|
Labradorite |
6 |
Labrador (Canada), Finland, Norway, former USSR |
None |
N/A |
Normal care - With all gemstones and organic substances avoid rough handling and when not in wear, keep items of jewelry separated to avoid scratches. Clean with warm soapy water and gentle brushing. Ultrasonic cleaners should only be used with caution. Some stones cleave or fracture easily or are prone to the effects of brittleness e.g. rubbed facet edges. Wear them with care. Some stones are susceptible to damage from ultrasonic cleaning. Do not expose them to ultrasonic cleaning. |
|
Labradorite |
Labradorite |
6 |
Labrador (Canada), Finland, Norway, former USSR |
Surface colourless waxing |
Unstable |
Normal care - With all gemstones and organic substances avoid rough handling and when not in wear, keep items of jewelry separated to avoid scratches. Clean with warm soapy water and gentle brushing. Ultrasonic cleaners should only be used with caution. Some stones cleave or fracture easily or are prone to the effects of brittleness e.g. rubbed facet edges. Wear them with care. Some stones are susceptible to damage from ultrasonic cleaning. Do not expose them to ultrasonic cleaning. Modifications to stones with dye, oil, resin, wax or plastic are not permanent. Keep away from all solvents (including various dish-washing liquids), chemicals and heat. |
|
Labradorite with labradorescence |
Labradorite, or Spectrolite |
6 |
Labrador (Canada), Finland, Norway, former USSR |
None |
N/A |
Normal care - With all gemstones and organic substances avoid rough handling and when not in wear, keep items of jewelry separated to avoid scratches. Clean with warm soapy water and gentle brushing. Ultrasonic cleaners should only be used with caution. Some stones cleave or fracture easily or are prone to the effects of brittleness e.g. rubbed facet edges. Wear them with care. Some stones are susceptible to damage from ultrasonic cleaning. Do not expose them to ultrasonic cleaning. |
|
Labradorite with labradorescence |
Labradorite, or Spectrolite |
6 |
Labrador (Canada), Finland, Norway, former USSR |
Surface colourless waxing |
Unstable |
Normal care - With all gemstones and organic substances avoid rough handling and when not in wear, keep items of jewelry separated to avoid scratches. Clean with warm soapy water and gentle brushing. Ultrasonic cleaners should only be used with caution. Some stones are prone to scratching due to low hardness. Wear with care. Some stones are susceptible to damage from ultrasonic cleaning. Do not expose them to ultrasonic cleaning. Modifications to stones with dye, oil, resin, wax or plastic are not permanent. Keep away from all solvents (including various dish-washing liquids), chemicals and heat. |
|
Labradorite with aventurescence |
Labradorite Sunstone |
6 |
Labrador (Canada), Finland, Norway, former USSR |
None |
N/A |
Normal care - With all gemstones and organic substances avoid rough handling and when not in wear, keep items of jewelry separated to avoid scratches. Clean with warm soapy water and gentle brushing. Ultrasonic cleaners should only be used with caution. Some stones are prone to scratching due to low hardness. Wear with care. Some stones are susceptible to damage from ultrasonic cleaning. Do not expose them to ultrasonic cleaning. |
| Garnet (group) |
| Almandine-Pyrope |
Rhodolite |
Rhodolite |
6.5 |
South Africa, Brazil, Argentina Myanmar, Tanzania |
None |
N/A |
Normal care - With all gemstones and organic substances avoid rough handling and when not in wear, keep items of jewelry separated to avoid scratches. Clean with warm soapy water and gentle brushing. Ultrasonic cleaners should only be used with caution. Some stones are prone to damage due to thermal shock. Do not expose them to extreme temperature changes. |
| Grossular |
Tsavorite (green colour due to vanadium and/or chromium) |
Tsavorite, or Tsavolite, or Chrome Grossular |
7 |
Kenya |
None |
N/A |
Normal care - With all gemstones and organic substances avoid rough handling and when not in wear, keep items of jewelry separated to avoid scratches. Clean with warm soapy water and gentle brushing. Ultrasonic cleaners should only be used with caution. Some stones are prone to damage due to thermal shock. Do not expose them to extreme temperature changes. |
|
Hessonite |
Hessonite |
7.25 |
Madagascar, Brazil, Canada, Russia and USA |
None |
N/A |
Normal care - With all gemstones and organic substances avoid rough handling and when not in wear, keep items of jewelry separated to avoid scratches. Clean with warm soapy water and gentle brushing. Ultrasonic cleaners should only be used with caution. Some stones are prone to damage due to thermal shock. Do not expose them to extreme temperature changes. |
| Pyrope |
Red Garnet |
Pyrope |
7.25 |
South Africa, Argentina, Brazil, Australia, Myanmar, Switzerland |
None |
N/A |
Normal care - With all gemstones and organic substances avoid rough handling and when not in wear, keep items of jewelry separated to avoid scratches. Clean with warm soapy water and gentle brushing. Ultrasonic cleaners should only be used with caution. Some stones are prone to damage due to thermal shock. Do not expose them to extreme temperature changes. |
| Pyrope-Spessartine |
|
Pyrope-Spessartine, or Malaya Garnet or Umbalite |
7 |
Sri Lanka, Madagascar, Brazil, Sweden, Australia, Myanmar and USA |
None |
N/A |
Normal care - With all gemstones and organic substances avoid rough handling and when not in wear, keep items of jewelry separated to avoid scratches. Clean with warm soapy water and gentle brushing. Ultrasonic cleaners should only be used with caution. Some stones are prone to damage due to thermal shock. Do not expose them to extreme temperature changes. |
| Spessartine |
|
Spessartine, Spessartite or Mandarin Garnet |
7 |
Sri Lanka, Madagascar, Brazil, Sweden, Australia, Myanmar and USA |
None |
N/A |
Normal care - With all gemstones and organic substances avoid rough handling and when not in wear, keep items of jewelry separated to avoid scratches. Clean with warm soapy water and gentle brushing. Ultrasonic cleaners should only be used with caution. Some stones are prone to damage due to thermal shock. Do not expose them to extreme temperature changes. |
| Uvarovite |
|
Uvarovite |
7.5 |
Rusia, Finland, Turkey and Italy |
None |
N/A |
Normal care - With all gemstones and organic substances avoid rough handling and when not in wear, keep items of jewelry separated to avoid scratches. Clean with warm soapy water and gentle brushing. Ultrasonic cleaners should only be used with caution. Some stones are prone to damage due to thermal shock. Do not expose them to extreme temperature changes. |
| Iolite |
|
See Cordierite |
--- |
|
--- |
--- |
--- |
| Jade |
|
Jadeite, Jadeite-jade, or A-Jade |
7 |
Myanmar, guatemala, Japan and USA |
None |
N/A |
Normal care - With all gemstones and organic substances avoid rough handling and when not in wear, keep items of jewelry separated to avoid scratches. Clean with warm soapy water and gentle brushing. Ultrasonic cleaners should only be used with caution. |
|
|
Jadeite, Jadeite-jade, or B-Jade |
7 |
Myanmar, guatemala, Japan and USA |
Colourless polymer impregnated (commonly) |
Unstable |
Normal care - With all gemstones and organic substances avoid rough handling and when not in wear, keep items of jewelry separated to avoid scratches. Clean with warm soapy water and gentle brushing. Ultrasonic cleaners should only be used with caution. Some stones are susceptible to damage from ultrasonic cleaning. Do not expose them to ultrasonic cleaning. Modifications to stones with dye, oil, resin, wax or plastic are not permanent. Keep away from all solvents (including various dish-washing liquids), chemicals and heat. |
|
|
Jadeite, Jadeite-jade, or C-Jade |
7 |
Myanmar, guatemala, Japan and USA |
Polymer colour impregnation following acid treatment (commonly) |
Variable |
Normal care - With all gemstones and organic substances avoid rough handling and when not in wear, keep items of jewelry separated to avoid scratches. Clean with warm soapy water and gentle brushing. Ultrasonic cleaners should only be used with caution. Some stones are susceptible to damage from ultrasonic cleaning. Do not expose them to ultrasonic cleaning. Modifications to stones with dye, oil, resin, wax or plastic are not permanent. Keep away from all solvents (including various dish-washing liquids), chemicals and heat. |
|
|
Jadeite, Jadeite-jade, or C-Jade |
7 |
Myanmar, guatemala, Japan and USA |
Dyed (commonly) |
Unstable |
Normal care - With all gemstones and organic substances avoid rough handling and when not in wear, keep items of jewelry separated to avoid scratches. Clean with warm soapy water and gentle brushing. Ultrasonic cleaners should only be used with caution. Some stones are susceptible to damage from ultrasonic cleaning. Do not expose them to ultrasonic cleaning. Modifications to stones with dye, oil, resin, wax or plastic are not permanent. Keep away from all solvents (including various dish-washing liquids), chemicals and heat. |
| Kyanite |
|
Kyanite, or Disthene |
5 or 7 |
Myanmar, Brazil and Kenya |
None |
N/A |
Normal care - With all gemstones and organic substances avoid rough handling and when not in wear, keep items of jewelry separated to avoid scratches. Clean with warm soapy water and gentle brushing. Ultrasonic cleaners should only be used with caution. Some stones are prone to scratching due to low hardness. Wear then with care. Some stones cleave or fracture easily or are prone to the effects of brittleness e.g. rubbed facet edges. Wear them with care. Some stones are susceptible to damage from ultrasonic cleaning. Do not expose them to ultrasonic cleaning. |
| Lapis Lazuli |
Lapis Lazuli |
Lapis Lazuli or Lapis |
5.5 |
Afghanistan, Argentina, USSR and Chile |
None |
N/A |
Normal care - With all gemstones and organic substances avoid rough handling and when not in wear, keep items of jewelry separated to avoid scratches. Clean with warm soapy water and gentle brushing. Ultrasonic cleaners should only be used with caution. Some stones are particularly susceptible to attack by acids. Keep them away from acids. Some stones are susceptible to damage from ultrasonic cleaning. Do not expose them to ultrasonic cleaning. |
|
Lapis Lazuli |
Lapis Lazuli or Lapis |
5.5 |
Afghanistan, Argentina, USSR and Chile |
Surface colourless waxing (commonly) |
Unstable |
Normal care - With all gemstones and organic substances avoid rough handling and when not in wear, keep items of jewelry separated to avoid scratches. Clean with warm soapy water and gentle brushing. Ultrasonic cleaners should only be used with caution. Some stones are particularly susceptible to attack by acids. Keep them away from acids. Some stones are susceptible to damage from ultrasonic cleaning. Do not expose them to ultrasonic cleaning. Modifications to stones with dye, oil, resin, wax or plastic are not permanent. Keep away from all solvents (including various dish-washing liquids), chemicals and heat. |
|
Lapis Lazuli |
Lapis Lazuli or Lapis |
5.5 |
Afghanistan, Argentina, USSR and Chile |
Dyed (commonly) |
Variable |
Normal care - With all gemstones and organic substances avoid rough handling and when not in wear, keep items of jewelry separated to avoid scratches. Clean with warm soapy water and gentle brushing. Ultrasonic cleaners should only be used with caution. Some stones are particularly susceptible to attack by acids. Keep them away from acids. Some stones are susceptible to damage from ultrasonic cleaning. Do not expose them to ultrasonic cleaning. Modifications to stones with dye, oil, resin, wax or plastic are not permanent. Keep away from all solvents (including various dish-washing liquids), chemicals and heat. |
| Olivine |
Peridot |
Peridot |
6.5 |
China, Brazil, Myanmar, Norway, Australia and South Africa |
None |
N/A |
Normal care - With all gemstones and organic substances avoid rough handling and when not in wear, keep items of jewelry separated to avoid scratches. Clean with warm soapy water and gentle brushing. Ultrasonic cleaners should only be used with caution. Some stones are prone to damage due to thermal shock. Do not expose them to extreme temperature changes. Some stones are particularly susceptible to attack by acids. Keep them away from acids. |
|
Peridot |
Peridot |
6.5 |
China, Brazil, Myanmar, Norway, Australia and South Africa |
Colourless oil, wax or resins in fissures (rarely) |
Unstable |
Normal care - With all gemstones and organic substances avoid rough handling and when not in wear, keep items of jewelry separated to avoid scratches. Clean with warm soapy water and gentle brushing. Ultrasonic cleaners should only be used with caution. Some stones are prone to damage due to thermal shock. Do not expose them to extreme temperature changes. Some stones are particularly susceptible to attack by acids. Keep them away from acids. Modifications to stones with dye, oil, resin, wax or plastic are not permanent. Keep away from all solvents (including various dish-washing liquids), chemicals and heat. |
|
Peridot |
Peridot |
6.5 |
China, Brazil, Myanmar, Norway, Australia and South Africa |
Filled open fractures with colourless hardened resin (rarely) |
Unstable |
Normal care - With all gemstones and organic substances avoid rough handling and when not in wear, keep items of jewelry separated to avoid scratches. Clean with warm soapy water and gentle brushing. Ultrasonic cleaners should only be used with caution. Some stones are prone to damage due to thermal shock. Do not expose them to extreme temperature changes. Some stones are particularly susceptible to attack by acids. Keep them away from acids. Modifications to stones with dye, oil, resin, wax or plastic are not permanent. Keep away from all solvents (including various dish-washing liquids), chemicals and heat. |
| Opal |
(Play-of-colour) - may on the basis of body tone/transparency, or colour be described as: |
|
--- |
|
--- |
--- |
--- |
|
Black to very dark |
Black Opal |
6 |
Australia, Brazil, Mexico, Czechoslovakia an Southern Africa |
None |
N/A |
Normal care - With all gemstones and organic substances avoid rough handling and when not in wear, keep items of jewelry separated to avoid scratches. Clean with warm soapy water and gentle brushing. Ultrasonic cleaners should only be used with caution. Some stones cleave or fracture easily or are prone to the effects of brittleness e.g. rubbed facet edges. Wear them with care. Some stones are porous. Do not allow contact with coloured fluids. Some stones are prone to crack due to loss of structural water. Keep away from heat and drying environment. Some stones are prone to damage due to thermal shock. Do not expose them to extreme temperature changes. Some stones are susceptible to damage from ultrasonic cleaning. Do not expose them to ultrasonic cleaning. |
|
Black to very dark |
Black Opal |
6 |
Australia, Brazil, Mexico, Czechoslovakia an Southern Africa |
Impregnated with plastic or resin (rarely) |
Unstable |
Normal care - With all gemstones and organic substances avoid rough handling and when not in wear, keep items of jewelry separated to avoid scratches. Clean with warm soapy water and gentle brushing. Ultrasonic cleaners should only be used with caution. Some stones cleave or fracture easily or are prone to the effects of brittleness e.g. rubbed facet edges. Wear them with care. Some stones are porous. Do not allow contact with coloured fluids. Some stones are prone to crack due to loss of structural water. Keep away from heat and drying environment. Some stones are prone to damage due to thermal shock. Do not expose them to extreme temperature changes. Some stones are susceptible to damage from ultrasonic cleaning. Do not expose them to ultrasonic cleaning. Modifications to stones with dye, oil, resin, wax or plastic are not permanent. Keep away from all solvents (including various dish-washing liquids), chemicals and heat. |
|
Black to very dark (transparent to near transparent) |
Black Crystal Opal |
6 |
Australia, Brazil, Mexico, Czechoslovakia an Southern Africa |
None |
N/A |
Normal care - With all gemstones and organic substances avoid rough handling and when not in wear, keep items of jewelry separated to avoid scratches. Clean with warm soapy water and gentle brushing. Ultrasonic cleaners should only be used with caution. Some stones cleave or fracture easily or are prone to the effects of brittleness e.g. rubbed facet edges. Wear them with care. Some stones are porous. Do not allow contact with coloured fluids. Some stones are prone to crack due to loss of structural water. Keep away from heat and drying environment. Some stones are prone to damage due to thermal shock. Do not expose them to extreme temperature changes. Some stones are susceptible to damage from ultrasonic cleaning. Do not expose them to ultrasonic cleaning. |
|
Black to very dark (transparent to near transparent) |
Black Crystal Opal |
6 |
Australia, Brazil, Mexico, Czechoslovakia an Southern Africa |
Impregnated with plastic or resin (rarely) |
Unstable |
Normal care - With all gemstones and organic substances avoid rough handling and when not in wear, keep items of jewelry separated to avoid scratches. Clean with warm soapy water and gentle brushing. Ultrasonic cleaners should only be used with caution. Some stones cleave or fracture easily or are prone to the effects of brittleness e.g. rubbed facet edges. Wear them with care. Some stones are porous. Do not allow contact with coloured fluids. Some stones are prone to crack due to loss of structural water. Keep away from heat and drying environment. Some stones are prone to damage due to thermal shock. Do not expose them to extreme temperature changes. Some stones are susceptible to damage from ultrasonic cleaning. Do not expose them to ultrasonic cleaning. Modifications to stones with dye, oil, resin, wax or plastic are not permanent. Keep away from all solvents (including various dish-washing liquids), chemicals and heat. |
|
White |
White Opal |
6 |
Australia, Brazil, Mexico, Czechoslovakia an Southern Africa |
None |
N/A |
Normal care - With all gemstones and organic substances avoid rough handling and when not in wear, keep items of jewelry separated to avoid scratches. Clean with warm soapy water and gentle brushing. Ultrasonic cleaners should only be used with caution. Some stones cleave or fracture easily or are prone to the effects of brittleness e.g. rubbed facet edges. Wear them with care. Some stones are porous. Do not allow contact with coloured fluids. Some stones are prone to crack due to loss of structural water. Keep away from heat and drying environment. Some stones are prone to damage due to thermal shock. Do not expose them to extreme temperature changes. Some stones are susceptible to damage from ultrasonic cleaning. Do not expose them to ultrasonic cleaning. |
|
White |
White Opal |
6 |
Australia, Brazil, Mexico, Czechoslovakia an Southern Africa |
Impregnated with plastic or resin (rarely) |
Unstable |
Normal care - With all gemstones and organic substances avoid rough handling and when not in wear, keep items of jewelry separated to avoid scratches. Clean with warm soapy water and gentle brushing. Ultrasonic cleaners should only be used with caution. Some stones cleave or fracture easily or are prone to the effects of brittleness e.g. rubbed facet edges. Wear them with care. Some stones are porous. Do not allow contact with coloured fluids. Some stones are prone to crack due to loss of structural water. Keep away from heat and drying environment. Some stones are prone to damage due to thermal shock. Do not expose them to extreme temperature changes. Some stones are susceptible to damage from ultrasonic cleaning. Do not expose them to ultrasonic cleaning. Modifications to stones with dye, oil, resin, wax or plastic are not permanent. Keep away from all solvents (including various dish-washing liquids), chemicals and heat. |
|
White (transparent to near-transparent) |
Opal, or Water Opal |
6 |
Australia, Brazil, Mexico, Czechoslovakia an Southern Africa |
None |
N/A |
Normal care - With all gemstones and organic substances avoid rough handling and when not in wear, keep items of jewelry separated to avoid scratches. Clean with warm soapy water and gentle brushing. Ultrasonic cleaners should only be used with caution. Some stones cleave or fracture easily or are prone to the effects of brittleness e.g. rubbed facet edges. Wear them with care. Some stones are porous. Do not allow contact with coloured fluids. Some stones are prone to crack due to loss of structural water. Keep away from heat and drying environment. Some stones are prone to damage due to thermal shock. Do not expose them to extreme temperature changes. Some stones are susceptible to damage from ultrasonic cleaning. Do not expose them to ultrasonic cleaning. |
|
White (transparent to near-transparent) |
Opal, or Water Opal |
6 |
Australia, Brazil, Mexico, Czechoslovakia an Southern Africa |
Impregnated with plastic or resin (rarely) |
Unstable |
Normal care - With all gemstones and organic substances avoid rough handling and when not in wear, keep items of jewelry separated to avoid scratches. Clean with warm soapy water and gentle brushing. Ultrasonic cleaners should only be used with caution. Some stones cleave or fracture easily or are prone to the effects of brittleness e.g. rubbed facet edges. Wear them with care. Some stones are porous. Do not allow contact with coloured fluids. Some stones are prone to crack due to loss of structural water. Keep away from heat and drying environment. Some stones are prone to damage due to thermal shock. Do not expose them to extreme temperature changes. Some stones are susceptible to damage from ultrasonic cleaning. Do not expose them to ultrasonic cleaning. Modifications to stones with dye, oil, resin, wax or plastic are not permanent. Keep away from all solvents (including various dish-washing liquids), chemicals and heat. |
|
Oolitic Opal |
Oolitic Opal |
6 |
Australia, Brazil, Mexico, Czechoslovakia an Southern Africa |
None |
N/A |
Normal care - With all gemstones and organic substances avoid rough handling and when not in wear, keep items of jewelry separated to avoid scratches. Clean with warm soapy water and gentle brushing. Ultrasonic cleaners should only be used with caution. Some stones cleave or fracture easily or are prone to the effects of brittleness e.g. rubbed facet edges. Wear them with care. Some stones are porous. Do not allow contact with coloured fluids. Some stones are prone to crack due to loss of structural water. Keep away from heat and drying environment. Some stones are prone to damage due to thermal shock. Do not expose them to extreme temperature changes. Some stones are susceptible to damage from ultrasonic cleaning. Do not expose them to ultrasonic cleaning. |
|
Oolitic Opal |
Oolitic Opal |
6 |
Australia, Brazil, Mexico, Czechoslovakia an Southern Africa |
Impregnated with plastic or resin (rarely) |
Unstable |
Normal care - With all gemstones and organic substances avoid rough handling and when not in wear, keep items of jewelry separated to avoid scratches. Clean with warm soapy water and gentle brushing. Ultrasonic cleaners should only be used with caution. Some stones cleave or fracture easily or are prone to the effects of brittleness e.g. rubbed facet edges. Wear them with care. Some stones are porous. Do not allow contact with coloured fluids. Some stones are prone to crack due to loss of structural water. Keep away from heat and drying environment. Some stones are prone to damage due to thermal shock. Do not expose them to extreme temperature changes. Modifications to stones with dye, oil, resin, wax or plastic are not permanent. Keep away from all solvents (including various dish-washing liquids), chemicals and heat. |
|
Orange to Red (transparent to translucent) |
Fire Opal |
6 |
Australia, Brazil, Mexico, Czechoslovakia an Southern Africa |
None |
N/A |
Normal care - With all gemstones and organic substances avoid rough handling and when not in wear, keep items of jewelry separated to avoid scratches. Clean with warm soapy water and gentle brushing. Ultrasonic cleaners should only be used with caution. Some stones cleave or fracture easily or are prone to the effects of brittleness e.g. rubbed facet edges. Wear them with care. Some stones are porous. Do not allow contact with coloured fluids. Some stones are prone to crack due to loss of structural water. Keep away from heat and drying environment. Some stones are prone to damage due to thermal shock. Do not expose them to extreme temperature changes. Some stones are susceptible to damage from ultrasonic cleaning. Do not expose them to ultrasonic cleaning. |
|
(Attached to ironstone) |
Boulder Opal |
6 |
Australia, Brazil, Mexico, Czechoslovakia an Southern Africa |
None |
N/A |
Normal care - With all gemstones and organic substances avoid rough handling and when not in wear, keep items of jewelry separated to avoid scratches. Clean with warm soapy water and gentle brushing. Ultrasonic cleaners should only be used with caution. Some stones cleave or fracture easily or are prone to the effects of brittleness e.g. rubbed facet edges. Wear them with care. Some stones are porous. Do not allow contact with coloured fluids. Some stones are prone to crack due to loss of structural water. Keep away from heat and drying environment. Some stones are prone to damage due to thermal shock. Do not expose them to extreme temperature changes. Some stones are susceptible to damage from ultrasonic cleaning. Do not expose them to ultrasonic cleaning. |
|
(Attached to ironstone) |
Boulder Opal |
6 |
Australia, Brazil, Mexico, Czechoslovakia an Southern Africa |
Infusion of unhardened colourless substances into voids (occasionally) |
Unstable |
Normal care - With all gemstones and organic substances avoid rough handling and when not in wear, keep items of jewelry separated to avoid scratches. Clean with warm soapy water and gentle brushing. Ultrasonic cleaners should only be used with caution. Some stones cleave or fracture easily or are prone to the effects of brittleness e.g. rubbed facet edges. Wear them with care. Some stones are porous. Do not allow contact with coloured fluids. Some stones are prone to crack due to loss of structural water. Keep away from heat and drying environment. Some stones are prone to damage due to thermal shock. Do not expose them to extreme temperature changes. Modifications to stones with dye, oil, resin, wax or plastic are not permanent. Keep away from all solvents (including various dish-washing liquids), chemicals and heat. |
|
(in Matrix) |
Matrix Opal |
6 |
Australia, Brazil, Mexico, Czechoslovakia an Southern Africa |
None |
N/A |
Normal care - With all gemstones and organic substances avoid rough handling and when not in wear, keep items of jewelry separated to avoid scratches. Clean with warm soapy water and gentle brushing. Ultrasonic cleaners should only be used with caution. Some stones cleave or fracture easily or are prone to the effects of brittleness e.g. rubbed facet edges. Wear them with care. Some stones are porous. Do not allow contact with coloured fluids. Some stones are prone to crack due to loss of structural water. Keep away from heat and drying environment. Some stones are prone to damage due to thermal shock. Do not expose them to extreme temperature changes. Some stones are susceptible to damage from ultrasonic cleaning. Do not expose them to ultrasonic cleaning. |
|
(in Matrix) |
Matrix Opal |
6 |
Australia, Brazil, Mexico, Czechoslovakia an Southern Africa |
Sugar / acid treatment (commonly) |
Stable |
Normal care - With all gemstones and organic substances avoid rough handling and when not in wear, keep items of jewelry separated to avoid scratches. Clean with warm soapy water and gentle brushing. Ultrasonic cleaners should only be used with caution. Some stones cleave or fracture easily or are prone to the effects of brittleness e.g. rubbed facet edges. Wear them with care. Some stones are porous. Do not allow contact with coloured fluids. Some stones are prone to crack due to loss of structural water. Keep away from heat and drying environment. Some stones are prone to damage due to thermal shock. Do not expose them to extreme temperature changes. Modifications to stones with dye, oil, resin, wax or plastic are not permanent. Keep away from all solvents (including various dish-washing liquids), chemicals and heat. |
|
White, porcelain-like |
Cacholong Opal |
6 |
Australia, Brazil, Mexico, Czechoslovakia an Southern Africa |
Impregnated with plastic or resin (rarely) |
Unstable |
Normal care - With all gemstones and organic substances avoid rough handling and when not in wear, keep items of jewelry separated to avoid scratches. Clean with warm soapy water and gentle brushing. Ultrasonic cleaners should only be used with caution. Some stones cleave or fracture easily or are prone to the effects of brittleness e.g. rubbed facet edges. Wear them with care. Some stones are porous. Do not allow contact with coloured fluids. Some stones are prone to crack due to loss of structural water. Keep away from heat and drying environment. Some stones are prone to damage due to thermal shock. Do not expose them to extreme temperature changes. Modifications to stones with dye, oil, resin, wax or plastic are not permanent. Keep away from all solvents (including various dish-washing liquids), chemicals and heat. |
|
Orange to Red |
Fire Opal |
6 |
Australia, Brazil, Mexico, Czechoslovakia an Southern Africa |
None |
N/A |
Normal care - With all gemstones and organic substances avoid rough handling and when not in wear, keep items of jewelry separated to avoid scratches. Clean with warm soapy water and gentle brushing. Ultrasonic cleaners should only be used with caution. Some stones cleave or fracture easily or are prone to the effects of brittleness e.g. rubbed facet edges. Wear them with care. Some stones are porous. Do not allow contact with coloured fluids. Some stones are prone to crack due to loss of structural water. Keep away from heat and drying environment. Some stones are prone to damage due to thermal shock. Do not expose them to extreme temperature changes. Some stones are susceptible to damage from ultrasonic cleaning. Do not expose them to ultrasonic cleaning. |
| Quartz (macro-crystalline) |
|
|
--- |
--- |
--- |
--- |
--- |
|
Amethyst |
Amethyst |
7 |
Brazil, Sri Lanka, India, Uruguay, Madagascar, Germany, Australia, Namibia, Zambia |
None |
Stable (Some stones are unstable) |
Normal care - With all gemstones and organic substances avoid rough handling and when not in wear, keep items of jewelry separated to avoid scratches. Clean with warm soapy water and gentle brushing. Ultrasonic cleaners should only be used with caution. Some stones fade or revert to original colour when exposed to strong light. Do not wear or leave them for extended periods under these conditions. |
|
Amethyst |
Amethyst |
7 |
Brazil, Sri Lanka, India, Uruguay, Madagascar, Germany, Australia, Namibia, Zambia |
Heated (occasionally) |
Stable |
Normal care - With all gemstones and organic substances avoid rough handling and when not in wear, keep items of jewelry separated to avoid scratches. Clean with warm soapy water and gentle brushing. Ultrasonic cleaners should only be used with caution. |
|
Amethyst-Citrine bicolor |
Ametrine |
7 |
Brazil, Sri Lanka, India, Uruguay, Madagascar, Germany, Australia, Namibia, Zambia |
None |
N/A |
Normal care - With all gemstones and organic substances avoid rough handling and when not in wear, keep items of jewelry separated to avoid scratches. Clean with warm soapy water and gentle brushing. Ultrasonic cleaners should only be used with caution. |
|
Amethyst-Citrine bicolor |
Ametrine |
7 |
Brazil, Sri Lanka, India, Uruguay, Madagascar, Germany, Australia, Namibia, Zambia |
Heated Citrine (rarely) |
Stable |
Normal care - With all gemstones and organic substances avoid rough handling and when not in wear, keep items of jewelry separated to avoid scratches. Clean with warm soapy water and gentle brushing. Ultrasonic cleaners should only be used with caution. |
|
Smoky Quartz |
Smoky Quartz, or Cairngorm, or Brown Quartz |
7 |
Brazil, Madagascar, USA, Australia, Spain |
None |
N/A |
Normal care - With all gemstones and organic substances avoid rough handling and when not in wear, keep items of jewelry separated to avoid scratches. Clean with warm soapy water and gentle brushing. Ultrasonic cleaners should only be used with caution. |
|
Smoky Quartz |
Smoky Quartz, or Cairngorm, or Brown Quartz |
7 |
Brazil, Madagascar, USA, Australia, Spain |
Irradiated (occasionally) |
Stable |
Normal care - With all gemstones and organic substances avoid rough handling and when not in wear, keep items of jewelry separated to avoid scratches. Clean with warm soapy water and gentle brushing. Ultrasonic cleaners should only be used with caution. |
|
Citrine |
Citrine, or Yellow Quartz |
7 |
Brazil, Spain, Madagascar, USSR |
None |
N/A |
Normal care - With all gemstones and organic substances avoid rough handling and when not in wear, keep items of jewelry separated to avoid scratches. Clean with warm soapy water and gentle brushing. Ultrasonic cleaners should only be used with caution. |
|
Citrine |
Citrine, or Yellow Quartz |
7 |
Brazil, Spain, Madagascar, USSR |
Heated (usually) |
Stable |
Normal care - With all gemstones and organic substances avoid rough handling and when not in wear, keep items of jewelry separated to avoid scratches. Clean with warm soapy water and gentle brushing. Ultrasonic cleaners should only be used with caution. |
|
Prasiolite |
Prasiolite, or Green Quartz |
7 |
Brazil, Sri Lanka, India, Uruguay, Madagascar, Germany, Australia, Namibia, Zambia |
None |
N/A |
Normal care - With all gemstones and organic substances avoid rough handling and when not in wear, keep items of jewelry separated to avoid scratches. Clean with warm soapy water and gentle brushing. Ultrasonic cleaners should only be used with caution. |
|
Prasiolite |
Prasiolite, or Green Quartz |
7 |
Brazil, Sri Lanka, India, Uruguay, Madagascar, Germany, Australia, Namibia, Zambia |
Heated (usually) |
Stable |
Normal care - With all gemstones and organic substances avoid rough handling and when not in wear, keep items of jewelry separated to avoid scratches. Clean with warm soapy water and gentle brushing. Ultrasonic cleaners should only be used with caution. |
|
Rock Crystal |
Rock Crystal |
7 |
Brazil, Sri Lanka, India, Uruguay, Madagascar, Germany, Australia, Namibia, Zambia |
None |
N/A |
Normal care - With all gemstones and organic substances avoid rough handling and when not in wear, keep items of jewelry separated to avoid scratches. Clean with warm soapy water and gentle brushing. Ultrasonic cleaners should only be used with caution. |
|
Rose Quartz |
Rose Quartz |
7 |
Madagascar, Brazil, USA, USSR and Spain |
None |
N/A |
Normal care - With all gemstones and organic substances avoid rough handling and when not in wear, keep items of jewelry separated to avoid scratches. Clean with warm soapy water and gentle brushing. Ultrasonic cleaners should only be used with caution. |
|
Aventurine Quartz |
Aventurine Quartz |
7 |
Brazil, India, Russia |
None |
N/A |
Normal care - With all gemstones and organic substances avoid rough handling and when not in wear, keep items of jewelry separated to avoid scratches. Clean with warm soapy water and gentle brushing. Ultrasonic cleaners should only be used with caution. |
| Chalcedony or Agate |
|
|
--- |
|
--- |
--- |
--- |
|
Chrysoprase (green colour due to inclusions of nickeliferous clay) |
Chrysoprase |
7 |
Czechoslovakia, Australia, Brazil, Austria |
None |
N/A |
Normal care - With all gemstones and organic substances avoid rough handling and when not in wear, keep items of jewelry separated to avoid scratches. Clean with warm soapy water and gentle brushing. Ultrasonic cleaners should only be used with caution. |
|
Chrome Chalcedony (green colour due to chromium) |
Chrome Chalcedony, or Mtorolite |
7 |
Czechoslovakia, Australia, Brazil, Austria |
None |
N/A |
Normal care - With all gemstones and organic substances avoid rough handling and when not in wear, keep items of jewelry separated to avoid scratches. Clean with warm soapy water and gentle brushing. Ultrasonic cleaners should only be used with caution. |
|
Chrysocolla Chalcedony (blue to blue-green colour due to inclusions of chrysocolla) |
Chrysocolla Chalcedony |
7 |
Czechoslovakia, Australia, Brazil, Austria |
None |
N/A |
Normal care - With all gemstones and organic substances avoid rough handling and when not in wear, keep items of jewelry separated to avoid scratches. Clean with warm soapy water and gentle brushing. Ultrasonic cleaners should only be used with caution. |
|
Cornelian |
Cornelian, or Carnelian |
7 |
India |
None |
N/A |
Normal care - With all gemstones and organic substances avoid rough handling and when not in wear, keep items of jewelry separated to avoid scratches. Clean with warm soapy water and gentle brushing. Ultrasonic cleaners should only be used with caution. |
|
Cornelian |
Cornelian, or Carnelian |
7 |
India |
Heated (usually) |
Stable |
Normal care - With all gemstones and organic substances avoid rough handling and when not in wear, keep items of jewelry separated to avoid scratches. Clean with warm soapy water and gentle brushing. Ultrasonic cleaners should only be used with caution. |
|
Cornelian |
Cornelian, or Carnelian |
7 |
India |
Dyed (unusual) |
Variable |
Normal care - With all gemstones and organic substances avoid rough handling and when not in wear, keep items of jewelry separated to avoid scratches. Clean with warm soapy water and gentle brushing. Ultrasonic cleaners should only be used with caution. Some stones fade or revert to original colour when exposed to strong light. Do not wear or leave them for extended periods under these conditions. |
|
Sard |
Sard |
7 |
Worldwide |
None |
N/A |
Normal care - With all gemstones and organic substances avoid rough handling and when not in wear, keep items of jewelry separated to avoid scratches. Clean with warm soapy water and gentle brushing. Ultrasonic cleaners should only be used with caution. |
|
(other uniform colours) |
Agate with colour prefix, or Chalcedony with colour prefix |
7 |
Uruguay, Brazil, India, China, USA, Mexico, Madagascar, USA |
None |
N/A |
Normal care - With all gemstones and organic substances avoid rough handling and when not in wear, keep items of jewelry separated to avoid scratches. Clean with warm soapy water and gentle brushing. Ultrasonic cleaners should only be used with caution. |
|
(other uniform colours) |
Agate with colour prefix, or Chalcedony with colour prefix |
7 |
Uruguay, Brazil, India, China, USA, Mexico, Madagascar, USA |
Dyed Black (always) |
Stable |
Normal care - With all gemstones and organic substances avoid rough handling and when not in wear, keep items of jewelry separated to avoid scratches. Clean with warm soapy water and gentle brushing. Ultrasonic cleaners should only be used with caution. |
|
|
Agate with colour prefix, or Chalcedony with colour prefix |
7 |
Uruguay, Brazil, India, China, USA, Mexico, Madagascar, USA |
Dyed Blue (always) |
Variable |
Normal care - With all gemstones and organic substances avoid rough handling and when not in wear, keep items of jewelry separated to avoid scratches. Clean with warm soapy water and gentle brushing. Ultrasonic cleaners should only be used with caution. Some stones fade or revert to original colour when exposed to strong light. Do not wear or leave them for extended periods under these conditions. |
|
|
Agate with colour prefix, or Chalcedony with colour prefix |
7 |
Uruguay, Brazil, India, China, USA, Mexico, Madagascar, USA |
Dyed Green (always) |
Variable |
Normal care - With all gemstones and organic substances avoid rough handling and when not in wear, keep items of jewelry separated to avoid scratches. Clean with warm soapy water and gentle brushing. Ultrasonic cleaners should only be used with caution. Some stones fade or revert to original colour when exposed to strong light. Do not wear or leave them for extended periods under these conditions. |
|
(other uniform colours) |
Agate with colour prefix, or Chalcedony with colour prefix |
7 |
Uruguay, Brazil, India, China, USA, Mexico, Madagascar, USA |
Dyed (commonly) |
Unstable |
Normal care - With all gemstones and organic substances avoid rough handling and when not in wear, keep items of jewelry separated to avoid scratches. Clean with warm soapy water and gentle brushing. Ultrasonic cleaners should only be used with caution. Some stones fade or revert to original colour when exposed to strong light. Do not wear or leave them for extended periods under these conditions. |
|
Banded Agate |
Banded Agate |
7 |
Uruguay, Brazil, India, China, USA, Mexico, Madagascar, USA |
None |
N/A |
Normal care - With all gemstones and organic substances avoid rough handling and when not in wear, keep items of jewelry separated to avoid scratches. Clean with warm soapy water and gentle brushing. Ultrasonic cleaners should only be used with caution. |
|
Banded Agate |
Banded Agate |
7 |
Uruguay, Brazil, India, China, USA, Mexico, Madagascar, USA |
Dyed (usually) |
Fairly Stable |
Normal care - With all gemstones and organic substances avoid rough handling and when not in wear, keep items of jewelry separated to avoid scratches. Clean with warm soapy water and gentle brushing. Ultrasonic cleaners should only be used with caution. Some stones fade or revert to original colour when exposed to strong light. Do not wear or leave them for extended periods under these conditions. Modifications to stones with dye, oil, resin, wax or plastic are not permanent. Keep away from all solvents (including various dish-washing liquids), chemicals and heat. |
|
Fire Agate |
Fire Agate |
7 |
Uruguay, Brazil, India, China, USA, Mexico, Madagascar, USA |
None |
N/A |
Normal care - With all gemstones and organic substances avoid rough handling and when not in wear, keep items of jewelry separated to avoid scratches. Clean with warm soapy water and gentle brushing. Ultrasonic cleaners should only be used with caution. |
|
Iris Agate |
Iris Agate |
|
Uruguay, Brazil, India, China, USA, Mexico, Madagascar, USA |
None |
N/A |
Normal care - With all gemstones and organic substances avoid rough handling and when not in wear, keep items of jewelry separated to avoid scratches. Clean with warm soapy water and gentle brushing. Ultrasonic cleaners should only be used with caution. |
|
Moss Agate |
Moss Agate, or Dendritic Agate |
|
Uruguay, Brazil, India, China, USA, Mexico, Madagascar, USA |
None |
N/A |
Normal care - With all gemstones and organic substances avoid rough handling and when not in wear, keep items of jewelry separated to avoid scratches. Clean with warm soapy water and gentle brushing. Ultrasonic cleaners should only be used with caution. |
|
Onyx (straight layers of black and white) |
Onyx |
7 |
Uruguay, Brazil, India, China, USA, Mexico, Madagascar, USA |
Dyed (always) |
Stable |
Normal care - With all gemstones and organic substances avoid rough handling and when not in wear, keep items of jewelry separated to avoid scratches. Clean with warm soapy water and gentle brushing. Ultrasonic cleaners should only be used with caution. |
| Jasper |
|
|
--- |
--- |
--- |
--- |
--- |
|
Heliotrope |
Heliotrope, or Bloodstone |
7 |
India, Venezuela, USA, Russia, France and Germany |
None |
N/A |
Normal care - With all gemstones and organic substances avoid rough handling and when not in wear, keep items of jewelry separated to avoid scratches. Clean with warm soapy water and gentle brushing. Ultrasonic cleaners should only be used with caution. |
|
Multicoloured Jasper |
Multicoloured Jasper |
7 |
India, Venezuela, USA, Russia, France and Germany |
None |
N/A |
Normal care - With all gemstones and organic substances avoid rough handling and when not in wear, keep items of jewelry separated to avoid scratches. Clean with warm soapy water and gentle brushing. Ultrasonic cleaners should only be used with caution. |
|
Orbicular Jasper |
Orbicular Jasper |
7 |
India, Venezuela, USA, Russia, France and Germany |
None |
N/A |
Normal care - With all gemstones and organic substances avoid rough handling and when not in wear, keep items of jewelry separated to avoid scratches. Clean with warm soapy water and gentle brushing. Ultrasonic cleaners should only be used with caution. |
|
Japer, other colours |
Japer with other prefix |
7 |
India, Venezuela, USA, Russia, France and Germany |
None |
N/A |
Normal care - With all gemstones and organic substances avoid rough handling and when not in wear, keep items of jewelry separated to avoid scratches. Clean with warm soapy water and gentle brushing. Ultrasonic cleaners should only be used with caution. |
|
Japer, other colours |
Japer with other prefix |
7 |
India, Venezuela, USA, Russia, France and Germany |
Dyed (commonly) |
Unstable |
Normal care - With all gemstones and organic substances avoid rough handling and when not in wear, keep items of jewelry separated to avoid scratches. Clean with warm soapy water and gentle brushing. Ultrasonic cleaners should only be used with caution. Some stones fade or revert to original colour when exposed to strong light. Do not wear or leave them for extended periods under these conditions. Modifications to stones with dye, oil, resin, wax or plastic are not permanent. Keep away from all solvents (including various dish-washing liquids), chemicals and heat. |
| Scapolite |
|
Scapolite |
6 |
|
None |
N/A |
Normal care - With all gemstones and organic substances avoid rough handling and when not in wear, keep items of jewelry separated to avoid scratches. Clean with warm soapy water and gentle brushing. Ultrasonic cleaners should only be used with caution. |
| Spinel |
|
Red Spinel |
8 |
Myanmar, Sri Lanka, Madagascar, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Brazil |
None |
N/A |
Normal care - With all gemstones and organic substances avoid rough handling and when not in wear, keep items of jewelry separated to avoid scratches. Clean with warm soapy water and gentle brushing. Ultrasonic cleaners should only be used with caution. |
| Spodumene |
Kunzite |
Kunzite |
7 |
Brazil, Madagascar, Myanmar, Mexico |
None |
Unstable |
Normal care - With all gemstones and organic substances avoid rough handling and when not in wear, keep items of jewelry separated to avoid scratches. Clean with warm soapy water and gentle brushing. Ultrasonic cleaners should only be used with caution. Some stones cleave or fracture easily or are prone to the effects of brittleness e.g. rubbed facet edges. Wear them with care. Some stones fade or revert to original colour when exposed to strong light. Do not wear or leave them for extended periods under these conditions. Some stones are susceptible to damage from ultrasonic cleaning. Do not expose them to ultrasonic cleaning. |
|
Kunzite |
Kunzite |
7 |
Brazil, Madagascar, Myanmar, Mexico |
Heated (commonly) |
Unstable |
Normal care - With all gemstones and organic substances avoid rough handling and when not in wear, keep items of jewelry separated to avoid scratches. Clean with warm soapy water and gentle brushing. Ultrasonic cleaners should only be used with caution. Some stones cleave or fracture easily or are prone to the effects of brittleness e.g. rubbed facet edges. Wear them with care. Some stones fade or revert to original colour when exposed to strong light. Do not wear or leave them for extended periods under these conditions. Some stones are susceptible to damage from ultrasonic cleaning. Do not expose them to ultrasonic cleaning. |
|
Hiddenite (green colour due to chromium) |
Hiddenite |
7 |
Brazil, Madagascar, Myanmar, Mexico |
None |
Unstable |
Normal care - With all gemstones and organic substances avoid rough handling and when not in wear, keep items of jewelry separated to avoid scratches. Clean with warm soapy water and gentle brushing. Ultrasonic cleaners should only be used with caution. Some stones cleave or fracture easily or are prone to the effects of brittleness e.g. rubbed facet edges. Wear them with care. Some stones are susceptible to damage from ultrasonic cleaning. Do not expose them to ultrasonic cleaning. |
|
(other colours) |
Spodumene with colour prefix |
7 |
Brazil, Madagascar, Myanmar, Mexico |
Green produced by irradiation (rarely0 |
Unstable |
Normal care - With all gemstones and organic substances avoid rough handling and when not in wear, keep items of jewelry separated to avoid scratches. Clean with warm soapy water and gentle brushing. Ultrasonic cleaners should only be used with caution. Some stones cleave or fracture easily or are prone to the effects of brittleness e.g. rubbed facet edges. Wear them with care. Some stones fade or revert to original colour when exposed to strong light. Do not wear or leave them for extended periods under these conditions. Some stones are susceptible to damage from ultrasonic cleaning. Do not expose them to ultrasonic cleaning. |
| Topaz |
|
White Topaz |
8 |
Brazil, USA, Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Australia, Pakistan, Mexico, Japan, Africa |
None |
N/A |
Normal care - With all gemstones and organic substances avoid rough handling and when not in wear, keep items of jewelry separated to avoid scratches. Clean with warm soapy water and gentle brushing. Ultrasonic cleaners should only be used with caution. Some stones cleave or fracture easily or are prone to the effects of brittleness e.g. rubbed facet edges. Wear them with care. Some stones are susceptible to damage from ultrasonic cleaning. Do not expose them to ultrasonic cleaning. |
|
|
Pink Topaz |
8 |
Russia, Pakistan, Brazil |
Heated to produce pink |
Stable |
Normal care - With all gemstones and organic substances avoid rough handling and when not in wear, keep items of jewelry separated to avoid scratches. Clean with warm soapy water and gentle brushing. Ultrasonic cleaners should only be used with caution. Some stones cleave or fracture easily or are prone to the effects of brittleness e.g. rubbed facet edges. Wear them with care. Some stones are susceptible to damage from ultrasonic cleaning. Do not expose them to ultrasonic cleaning. |
|
|
Sky, Swiss Blue Topaz |
8 |
Brazil, USA, Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Australia, Pakistan, Mexico, Japan, Africa |
Irradiated and heated to produce blue (usually) |
Stable |
Normal care - With all gemstones and organic substances avoid rough handling and when not in wear, keep items of jewelry separated to avoid scratches. Clean with warm soapy water and gentle brushing. Ultrasonic cleaners should only be used with caution. Some stones cleave or fracture easily or are prone to the effects of brittleness e.g. rubbed facet edges. Wear them with care. Some stones are susceptible to damage from ultrasonic cleaning. Do not expose them to ultrasonic cleaning. |
|
|
Imperial Topaz |
8 |
Brazil, USA, Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Australia, Pakistan, Mexico, Japan, Africa |
Irradiated to yellow and orange (occasionally) |
Unstable |
Normal care - With all gemstones and organic substances avoid rough handling and when not in wear, keep items of jewelry separated to avoid scratches. Clean with warm soapy water and gentle brushing. Ultrasonic cleaners should only be used with caution. Some stones cleave or fracture easily or are prone to the effects of brittleness e.g. rubbed facet edges. Wear them with care. Some stones fade or revert to original colour when exposed to strong light. Do not wear or leave them for extended periods under these conditions. Some stones are susceptible to damage from ultrasonic cleaning. Do not expose them to ultrasonic cleaning. |
|
|
London Blue Topaz |
8 |
Brazil, USA, Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Australia, Pakistan, Mexico, Japan, Africa |
Irradiated to produce greenish Blue (usually) |
Unstable |
Normal care - With all gemstones and organic substances avoid rough handling and when not in wear, keep items of jewelry separated to avoid scratches. Clean with warm soapy water and gentle brushing. Ultrasonic cleaners should only be used with caution. Some stones cleave or fracture easily or are prone to the effects of brittleness e.g. rubbed facet edges. Wear them with care. Some stones fade or revert to original colour when exposed to strong light. Do not wear or leave them for extended periods under these conditions. Some stones are susceptible to damage from ultrasonic cleaning. Do not expose them to ultrasonic cleaning. |
|
|
Green Topaz |
8 |
Brazil, USA, Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Australia, Pakistan, Mexico, Japan, Africa |
Diffused to produce green (commonly) |
Stable (without re-cutting or re-polishing) |
Normal care - With all gemstones and organic substances avoid rough handling and when not in wear, keep items of jewelry separated to avoid scratches. Clean with warm soapy water and gentle brushing. Ultrasonic cleaners should only be used with caution. Some stones cleave or fracture easily or are prone to the effects of brittleness e.g. rubbed facet edges. Wear them with care. Some stones are susceptible to damage from ultrasonic cleaning. Do not expose them to ultrasonic cleaning. Stones with superficial colour (or phenomena) surface layers are not suitable for re-cutting or re-polishing. (Shallow) |
|
|
Mystic Topaz, and various colos of Topaz |
8 |
Brazil, USA, Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Australia, Pakistan, Mexico, Japan, Africa |
Coated with very thin layers of metal oxide to provide various colours and to add special effects |
Unstable |
Normal care - With all gemstones and organic substances avoid rough handling and when not in wear, keep items of jewelry separated to avoid scratches. Clean with warm soapy water and gentle brushing. Ultrasonic cleaners should only be used with caution. Some stones cleave or fracture easily or are prone to the effects of brittleness e.g. rubbed facet edges. Wear them with care. Some stones fade or revert to original colour when exposed to strong light. Do not wear or leave them for extended periods under these conditions. Some stones are susceptible to damage from ultrasonic cleaning. Do not expose them to ultrasonic cleaning. |
| Tourmaline Group |
Colourless |
Colourless Tourmaline, or Achroite |
7.5 |
|
None |
N/A |
Normal care - With all gemstones and organic substances avoid rough handling and when not in wear, keep items of jewelry separated to avoid scratches. Clean with warm soapy water and gentle brushing. Ultrasonic cleaners should only be used with caution. |
|
Pink to Red |
Pink Tourmaline, or Red Tourmaline, or Rubellite |
7.5 |
Brazil, Russia, Madagascar, Myanmar, East Africa |
None |
N/A |
Normal care - With all gemstones and organic substances avoid rough handling and when not in wear, keep items of jewelry separated to avoid scratches. Clean with warm soapy water and gentle brushing. Ultrasonic cleaners should only be used with caution. |
|
Pink to Red |
Pink Tourmaline, or Red Tourmaline, or Rubellite |
7.5 |
Brazil, Russia, Madagascar, Myanmar, East Africa |
Heated (occasionally) |
Stable |
Normal care - With all gemstones and organic substances avoid rough handling and when not in wear, keep items of jewelry separated to avoid scratches. Clean with warm soapy water and gentle brushing. Ultrasonic cleaners should only be used with caution. |
|
Pink to Red |
Pink Tourmaline, or Red Tourmaline, or Rubellite |
7.5 |
Brazil, Russia, Madagascar, Myanmar, East Africa |
Irradiated (commonly) |
Stable |
Normal care - With all gemstones and organic substances avoid rough handling and when not in wear, keep items of jewelry separated to avoid scratches. Clean with warm soapy water and gentle brushing. Ultrasonic cleaners should only be used with caution. |
|
Green due to chromium and/or vanadiem |
Chrome Tourmaline |
7.5 |
Brazil, Madagascar |
None |
N/A |
Normal care - With all gemstones and organic substances avoid rough handling and when not in wear, keep items of jewelry separated to avoid scratches. Clean with warm soapy water and gentle brushing. Ultrasonic cleaners should only be used with caution. |
|
Green |
Green Tourmaline, Verdelith or Verdelite |
7.5 |
Brazil, Madagascar |
None |
N/A |
Normal care - With all gemstones and organic substances avoid rough handling and when not in wear, keep items of jewelry separated to avoid scratches. Clean with warm soapy water and gentle brushing. Ultrasonic cleaners should only be used with caution. |
|
Green |
Green Tourmaline, Verdelith or Verdelite |
7.5 |
Brazil, Madagascar |
Heated (commonly) |
Stable |
Normal care - With all gemstones and organic substances avoid rough handling and when not in wear, keep items of jewelry separated to avoid scratches. Clean with warm soapy water and gentle brushing. Ultrasonic cleaners should only be used with caution. |
|
Green |
Green Tourmaline, Verdelith or Verdelite |
7.5 |
Brazil, Madagascar |
Colourless Oils, resins and waxes in fissures (rarely) |
Unstable |
Normal care - With all gemstones and organic substances avoid rough handling and when not in wear, keep items of jewelry separated to avoid scratches. Clean with warm soapy water and gentle brushing. Ultrasonic cleaners should only be used with caution. Some stones are susceptible to damage from ultrasonic cleaning. Do not expose them to ultrasonic cleaning. Modifications to stones with dye, oil, resin, wax or plastic are not permanent. Keep away from all solvents (including various dish-washing liquids), chemicals and heat. |
|
Green |
Green Tourmaline, Verdelith or Verdelite |
7.5 |
Brazil, Madagascar |
Cavities and fractures filled with colourless hardened substances (very rarely) |
Unstable |
Normal care - With all gemstones and organic substances avoid rough handling and when not in wear, keep items of jewelry separated to avoid scratches. Clean with warm soapy water and gentle brushing. Ultrasonic cleaners should only be used with caution. Some stones are susceptible to damage from ultrasonic cleaning. Do not expose them to ultrasonic cleaning. Modifications to stones with dye, oil, resin, wax or plastic are not permanent. Keep away from all solvents (including various dish-washing liquids), chemicals and heat. |
|
Green to Blue due to copper |
Paraiba Tourmaline |
7.5 |
Brazil, Madagascar |
None |
N/A |
Normal care - With all gemstones and organic substances avoid rough handling and when not in wear, keep items of jewelry separated to avoid scratches. Clean with warm soapy water and gentle brushing. Ultrasonic cleaners should only be used with caution. |
|
Green to Blue due to copper |
Paraiba Tourmaline |
7.5 |
Brazil, Madagascar |
Heated (commonly) |
Stable |
Normal care - With all gemstones and organic substances avoid rough handling and when not in wear, keep items of jewelry separated to avoid scratches. Clean with warm soapy water and gentle brushing. Ultrasonic cleaners should only be used with caution. |
|
Green to Blue due to copper |
Paraiba Tourmaline |
7.5 |
Brazil |
Filling of fissures with colourless oils, wax and resins (commonly) |
Unstable |
Normal care - With all gemstones and organic substances avoid rough handling and when not in wear, keep items of jewelry separated to avoid scratches. Clean with warm soapy water and gentle brushing. Ultrasonic cleaners should only be used with caution. Some stones are susceptible to damage from ultrasonic cleaning. Do not expose them to ultrasonic cleaning. Modifications to stones with dye, oil, resin, wax or plastic are not permanent. Keep away from all solvents (including various dish-washing liquids), chemicals and heat. |
|
Green to Blue due to copper |
Paraiba Tourmaline |
7.5 |
Brazil |
Filling of cacities and fractures with colourless hardened substances (commonly) |
Unstable |
Normal care - With all gemstones and organic substances avoid rough handling and when not in wear, keep items of jewelry separated to avoid scratches. Clean with warm soapy water and gentle brushing. Ultrasonic cleaners should only be used with caution. Some stones are susceptible to damage from ultrasonic cleaning. Do not expose them to ultrasonic cleaning. Modifications to stones with dye, oil, resin, wax or plastic are not permanent. Keep away from all solvents (including various dish-washing liquids), chemicals and heat. |
|
Blue |
Blue Tourmaline, or Indicolite |
7.5 |
Siberia (Russia), Madagascar |
None |
N/A |
Normal care - With all gemstones and organic substances avoid rough handling and when not in wear, keep items of jewelry separated to avoid scratches. Clean with warm soapy water and gentle brushing. Ultrasonic cleaners should only be used with caution. |
|
Blue |
Blue Tourmaline, or Indicolite |
7.5 |
Siberia (Russia), Madagascar |
Heated (commonly) |
Stable |
Normal care - With all gemstones and organic substances avoid rough handling and when not in wear, keep items of jewelry separated to avoid scratches. Clean with warm soapy water and gentle brushing. Ultrasonic cleaners should only be used with caution. |
|
Other Colours |
Tourmaline with colour prefix |
7.5 |
|
None |
N/A |
Normal care - With all gemstones and organic substances avoid rough handling and when not in wear, keep items of jewelry separated to avoid scratches. Clean with warm soapy water and gentle brushing. Ultrasonic cleaners should only be used with caution. |
|
Other Colours |
Tourmaline with colour prefix |
7.5 |
|
Heated to produce yellow/orange (rarely) |
Stable |
Normal care - With all gemstones and organic substances avoid rough handling and when not in wear, keep items of jewelry separated to avoid scratches. Clean with warm soapy water and gentle brushing. Ultrasonic cleaners should only be used with caution. |
|
Other Colours |
Tourmaline with colour prefix |
7.5 |
|
Irradiated to improve yellow/orange (rarely) |
Stable |
Normal care - With all gemstones and organic substances avoid rough handling and when not in wear, keep items of jewelry separated to avoid scratches. Clean with warm soapy water and gentle brushing. Ultrasonic cleaners should only be used with caution. |
|
Parti-coloured: |
Parti-coloured, Bi-coloured, or tri-coloured Tourmaline |
7.5 |
|
None |
N/A |
Normal care - With all gemstones and organic substances avoid rough handling and when not in wear, keep items of jewelry separated to avoid scratches. Clean with warm soapy water and gentle brushing. Ultrasonic cleaners should only be used with caution. |
|
(with red core and green rim) |
Watermelon Tourmaline |
7.5 |
South Africa, Brazil, East Africa |
None |
N/A |
Normal care - With all gemstones and organic substances avoid rough handling and when not in wear, keep items of jewelry separated to avoid scratches. Clean with warm soapy water and gentle brushing. Ultrasonic cleaners should only be used with caution. |
| Turquoise |
|
Turquoise |
6 |
Iran, Tibet, Mexico, USA, USSR, Chile, Australia |
None |
N/A |
Normal care - With all gemstones and organic substances avoid rough handling and when not in wear, keep items of jewelry separated to avoid scratches. Clean with warm soapy water and gentle brushing. Ultrasonic cleaners should only be used with caution. Some stones cleave or fracture easily or are prone to the effects of brittleness e.g. rubbed facet edges. Wear them with care. Some stones are porous. Do not allow contact with coloured fluids. Some stones are susceptible to damage from ultrasonic cleaning. Do not expose them to ultrasonic cleaning. |
|
|
Turquoise |
6 |
Iran, Tibet, Mexico, USA, USSR, Chile, Australia |
Impregnated with plastic (commonly) |
Unstable |
Normal care - With all gemstones and organic substances avoid rough handling and when not in wear, keep items of jewelry separated to avoid scratches. Clean with warm soapy water and gentle brushing. Ultrasonic cleaners should only be used with caution. Some stones are susceptible to damage from ultrasonic cleaning. Do not expose them to ultrasonic cleaning. Modifications to stones with dye, oil, resin, wax or plastic are not permanent. Keep away from all solvents (including various dish-washing liquids), chemicals and heat. |
|
|
Turquoise |
6 |
Iran, Tibet, Mexico, USA, USSR, Chile, Australia |
Surface colourless waxing (commonly) |
Unstable |
Normal care - With all gemstones and organic substances avoid rough handling and when not in wear, keep items of jewelry separated to avoid scratches. Clean with warm soapy water and gentle brushing. Ultrasonic cleaners should only be used with caution. Some stones are susceptible to damage from ultrasonic cleaning. Do not expose them to ultrasonic cleaning. Modifications to stones with dye, oil, resin, wax or plastic are not permanent. Keep away from all solvents (including various dish-washing liquids), chemicals and heat. |
|
|
Turquoise |
6 |
Iran, Tibet, Mexico, USA, USSR, Chile, Australia |
Dyed (rarely) |
Unstable |
Normal care - With all gemstones and organic substances avoid rough handling and when not in wear, keep items of jewelry separated to avoid scratches. Clean with warm soapy water and gentle brushing. Ultrasonic cleaners should only be used with caution. Some stones cleave or fracture easily or are prone to the effects of brittleness e.g. rubbed facet edges. Wear them with care. Some stones are porous. Do not allow contact with coloured fluids. Some stones are susceptible to damage from ultrasonic cleaning. Do not expose them to ultrasonic cleaning. Modifications to stones with dye, oil, resin, wax or plastic are not permanent. Keep away from all solvents (including various dish-washing liquids), chemicals and heat. |
|
Turquoise Matrix |
Turquoise Matrix, or Spider's Web Turquoise |
6 |
Iran, Tibet, Mexico, USA, USSR, Chile, Australia |
See Turquoise above |
See Turquoise above |
Normal care - With all gemstones and organic substances avoid rough handling and when not in wear, keep items of jewelry separated to avoid scratches. Clean with warm soapy water and gentle brushing. Ultrasonic cleaners should only be used with caution. Some stones cleave or fracture easily or are prone to the effects of brittleness e.g. rubbed facet edges. Wear them with care. Some stones are porous. Do not allow contact with coloured fluids. Some stones are susceptible to damage from ultrasonic cleaning. Do not expose them to ultrasonic cleaning. Modifications to stones with dye, oil, resin, wax or plastic are not permanent. Keep away from all solvents (including various dish-washing liquids), chemicals and heat. |
| Zircon |
|
Zircon (with colour prefix) |
7.5 |
Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Thailand, Combodia, Vietnam, Australia |
Heated to produce red and colourless (always) |
Unstable |
Normal care - With all gemstones and organic substances avoid rough handling and when not in wear, keep items of jewelry separated to avoid scratches. Clean with warm soapy water and gentle brushing. Ultrasonic cleaners should only be used with caution. Some stones cleave or fracture easily or are prone to the effects of brittleness e.g. rubbed facet edges. Wear them with care. Some stones fade or revert to original colour when exposed to strong light. Do not wear or leave them for extended periods under these conditions. Some stones are susceptible to damage from ultrasonic cleaning. Do not expose them to ultrasonic cleaning. |
|
(Blue) |
Blue Zircon, or Starlite |
7.5 |
Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Thailand, Combodia, Vietnam, Australia |
Heated to produce blue (always) |
Unstable |
Normal care - With all gemstones and organic substances avoid rough handling and when not in wear, keep items of jewelry separated to avoid scratches. Clean with warm soapy water and gentle brushing. Ultrasonic cleaners should only be used with caution. Some stones cleave or fracture easily or are prone to the effects of brittleness e.g. rubbed facet edges. Wear them with care. Some stones fade or revert to original colour when exposed to strong light. Do not wear or leave them for extended periods under these conditions. Some stones are susceptible to damage from ultrasonic cleaning. Do not expose them to ultrasonic cleaning. |
|
(other colours) |
Zircon (with colour prefix) |
7.5 |
Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Thailand, Combodia, Vietnam, Australia |
None |
N/A |
Normal care - With all gemstones and organic substances avoid rough handling and when not in wear, keep items of jewelry separated to avoid scratches. Clean with warm soapy water and gentle brushing. Ultrasonic cleaners should only be used with caution. Some stones cleave or fracture easily or are prone to the effects of brittleness e.g. rubbed facet edges. Wear them with care. Some stones are susceptible to damage from ultrasonic cleaning. Do not expose them to ultrasonic cleaning. |
|
(other colours) |
Zircon (with colour prefix) |
7.5 |
Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Thailand, Combodia, Vietnam, Australia |
Heated to improve yellow (commonly) or green (occasionally) |
Unstable |
Normal care - With all gemstones and organic substances avoid rough handling and when not in wear, keep items of jewelry separated to avoid scratches. Clean with warm soapy water and gentle brushing. Ultrasonic cleaners should only be used with caution. Some stones cleave or fracture easily or are prone to the effects of brittleness e.g. rubbed facet edges. Wear them with care. Some stones fade or revert to original colour when exposed to strong light. Do not wear or leave them for extended periods under these conditions. Some stones are susceptible to damage from ultrasonic cleaning. Do not expose them to ultrasonic cleaning. |
| Zoisite |
Blue to violet |
Tanzanite |
6.5 |
Tanzania |
Heated (almost always) |
Stable |
Normal care - With all gemstones and organic substances avoid rough handling and when not in wear, keep items of jewelry separated to avoid scratches. Clean with warm soapy water and gentle brushing. Ultrasonic cleaners should only be used with caution. Some stones are susceptible to damage from ultrasonic cleaning. Do not expose them to ultrasonic cleaning. |
