Special Gemstone Care
Some gemstones require special care. Refer to the information listed in this guide for any special care and advice about your particular gemstones. With proper care, you can expect a lifetime of beauty and enjoyment from your gemstones.

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A Note about Gemstone Treatments
Gemstones are frequently enhanced to bring out the vibrant colors and clarity of the stone. These enhancements were known to the ancient Egyptians and Greeks and have been an accepted practice for centuries. Common treatments include heating, oil filling, and a colorless wax polish. Most treatments duplicate the results that occur in ideal natural conditions. The majority of treatments are permanent and simply require normal gemstone care. 

As a general guideline you should avoid cleaning jewelry containing gemstones in harsh or abrasive chemicals or brushing them with a hard brush. Certain gemstones require special handling to preserve their dramatic appearance and longevity. For example emeralds have natural inclusions that can worsen with improper care. Caution should be taken with all gemstones to avoid contact with cosmetics and strong household chemicals. 

Consult our treatment and care guide or a store associate for more information about your specific gemstones. You may bring any jewelry item into Fred Meyer or Littman Jewelers for free cleaning and inspection.    

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Agate Black Onyx, Blue, Green

White

Dyed or heated to improve color


Dyed or heated to improve color

Exposure to heat or light over time may cause color to fade.

Normal gemstone care

Alexandrite

None

Normal gemstone care

Amethyst  Pink, Purple & Green

Heated to improve appearance or lighten color.

Normal gemstone care

Aquamarine

Heated to improve color and clarity.

Normal gemstone care

Aventurine

Dyed to enhance color

Normal gemstone care

Citrine

Heated to improve color

Normal gemstone care

Cultured Pearl Akoya, Freshwater, Keshi, South Sea, Tahitian

Bleached and polished to achieve uniform color and shape. Dyed or irradiated to produce various colors. Coated for protection. 

Avoid contact with cosmetics, hair spray, perfume and household chemicals including alcohol and solvents. Clean with a soft cloth. Do not use ultrasonic cleaner or steamer.

Diamond

White

Black Colored

Brown, Champagne, and Yellow

Blue

None

Heated to create color

None


Heated or irradiated

Normal gemstone care

Normal gemstone care

Normal gemstone care


Normal gemstone care

Emerald

Penetrated with oil, wax or clear resin to improve clarity and durability. Dyed with color agents.

Clean with warm soapy water and a soft brush or cloth. Avoid sudden temperature changes, rough handling, steaming and contact with cosmetics, hair spray, and household chemicals including alcohol and solvents. Do not use an ultrasonic cleaner.

Garnet

None

Normal gemstone care

Hematite

None

Normal gemstone care

Iolite

None

Normal gemstone care

Jade

Jadeite, Nephrite

Bleached, dyed and surface polished with a colorless wax. 

Do not use ultrasonic cleaner or steamer. Avoid intense heat and household chemicals.

Lab Created

None

Normal gemstone care

Lapis Lazuli

Dyed to improve color uniformity. Coated with colorless wax and surface polished.

Clean with warm soapy water and a soft brush or cloth.  Do not use ultrasonic cleaner or steamer. Avoid intense heat and household chemicals.

Malachite

Coated with colorless wax to improve surface uniformity. 

Do not use an ultrasonic cleaner.  Avoid household chemicals. 

Opal

Fused together with backing to create a unique design or color combination. 

Do not use ultrasonic cleaner or steamer. Avoid intense heat, cosmetics, and household chemicals. Clean with warm soapy water and a soft brush or cloth. 

Black

Dyed or heated to improve color.

Normal gemstone care.

Peridot

None

Avoid sudden temperature changes and ultrasonic.   

Quartz

Green Prasiolite, Lemon, Lime, Pink, Rose, Silver, Smoky, White

Heated or irradiated to enhance color.

Normal gemstone care

Ruby

Heated to improve color. Fissures and cavities can be filled with foreign material including glass and glass-like substances to improve clarity. Can be diffused or irradiated to improve color.

Clean with warm soapy water and a soft brush or cloth. Avoid strong detergents and household chemicals including alcohol and solvents.  Sensitive to intense heat, pressure and ultrasonic. Avoid re-polishing or re-cutting.

Sapphire

Heated to improve color and clarity. Can be diffused and irradiated to produce a variety of colors.

Clean with warm soapy water and a soft brush or cloth. Avoid strong detergents and ultrasonic. Avoid re-polishing or re-cutting.

Sunstone

Oregon

None

Normal gemstone care

Tanzanite

Heated to improve color

Clean with warm soapy water and a soft brush or cloth. Do not use ultrasonic cleaner or steamer. Avoid sudden temperature changes.

Tiger’s Eye

Heated to improve color

Normal gemstone care. Avoid sudden temperature changes.

Blue, Pink, White    


Mystic

Irradiated and heated to produce color.


Coated to generate iridescence

Clean with warm soapy water and a soft brush or cloth.

Clean with warm soapy water and a soft brush or cloth. Avoid re-polishing or re-cutting.

Tourmaline

Green




Red, Pink

Heated to improve appearance. Surface fissures can be filled with oil or resin. 



Heated and irradiated to improve color. 

Clean with warm soapy water and a soft brush or cloth. Avoid sudden temperature changes. Do not use an ultrasonic cleaner or steamer.

Clean with warm soapy water and a soft brush or cloth. Avoid sudden temperature changes and steaming. 

Tsavorite

None

Normal gemstone care

Turquoise

Permeated with plastic or coated with wax or colorless oil. Dyed to improve color.

Clean with warm soapy water and a soft brush or cloth. Do not use ultrasonic cleaner or steamer. Avoid contact with cosmetics, hair spray, perfume and household chemicals including acids. Avoid intense heat.  

Blue

Heated to improve color and intensity

Avoid ultrasonic cleaning and harsh abrasives.

While we make every attempt to accurately disclosure treatments accepted by Fred Meyer Jewelers, treatments other than those listed above are often used in the industry. Due to the indiscernible nature of these treatments, and the fact that technology and industry practice evolve rapidly, we cannot guarantee that all treatments have been detected.