Gemstones
Each gemstone includes information about hardness, country of origin, colours, and recommended cleaning methods.
Always inspect the condition of a gemstone before cleaning it!
If a gemstone has scratches, cracks, or signs of wear, consult a professional before attempting to clean it.
Most jewellery can be soaked briefly in warm water with a mild detergent (such as dish soap, unless otherwise stated) to loosen dirt. After soaking, gently clean the stone with a soft brush or a lint-free cloth. Dry the jewellery thoroughly with a clean, lint-free cloth.
Hardness
Gemstone hardness is measured using the Mohs Scale, where 1 is the softest mineral (talc) and 10 is the hardest (diamond).
1. Talc | 2. Gypsum |
3. Calcite | 4. Fluorite |
5. Apatite | 6. Orthoclase |
7. Quartz | 8. Topaz |
9. Corundum | 10. Diamond |
Symbols
Soap
Clean with a mild dish soap solution.
Drop
Cleaned with water only.
Brush
Cleaned with a soft brush or artist's brush.
Cloth
Use a clean, lint-free cloth.
UC:
Yes – Safe for ultrasonic cleaning.
No – Do not use an ultrasonic cleaner.
With Caution – May be cleaned ultrasonically only if the gemstone is in good condition and securely set.
Aquamarine
Hardness: 7.5–8
Countries of origin: Brazil, Myanmar, Madagascar
Colours: Light blue
UC: With caution
Alexandrite
Hardness: 8.5
Origin: Russia, Brazil, Sri Lanka
Colours: Red to green (colour-changing)
UC: Yes
Amethyst
Hardness: 7
Origin: Brazil, Russia, Austria
Colours: Shades of violet
UC: With caution
Ametrine
Hardness: 7
Origin: Bolivia / Synthetic
Colours: Purple, yellow
UC: With caution
Beryl
Hardness: 7.5–8
Origin: Russia, Brazil, Finland
Colours: Colourless, yellowish, greenish
UC: No
Fluorite
Hardness: 4
Origin: Afghanistan, Brazil, India
Colours: Blue, green, purple
UC: No
Garnet
Hardness: 6.5–7.5
Origin: Russia, Turkey, Brazil
Colours: Red
UC: With caution
Iolite
Hardness: 7
Origin: India, Madagascar, Canada
Colours: Dark blue, violet
UC: No
Kunzite
Hardness: 6.5–7
Origin: Brazil, Afghanistan, Madagascar
Colours: Clear, pale pink
UC: No
Morganite
Hardness: 7.5–8
Origin: Madagascar, Brazil, Russia
Colours: Pale pink, pale yellow
UC: With caution
Moissanite
Hardness: 9.25
Origin: Meteorites / Synthetic
Colours: Colourless
UC: Yes
Mystic Topaz
Hardness: 8
Origin: Colour-treated topaz
Colours: Iridescent / Multicoloured
UC: Yes
Fire Opal
Hardness: 5.5–6
Origin: Mexico, Ethiopia, Australia
Colours: Orange, reddish-orange
UC: No
Peridot
Hardness: 6.5–7
Origin: Myanmar, China, United States
Colours: Green, yellowish green
UC: No
Ruby
Hardness: 9
Origin: Myanmar, Tanzania, Sri Lanka
Colours: Red
UC: No
Rose Quartz
Hardness: 7
Origin: Brazil, India, Madagascar
Colours: Pale pink
UC: No
Sapphire
Hardness: 9
Origin: Sri Lanka, Australia, Brazil
Colours: Blue, yellow, pink
UC: No
Smoky Quartz
Hardness: 7
Origin: Brazil, Madagascar, Russia
Colours: Brown
UC: No
Citrine
Hardness: 7
Origin: Brazil, Madagascar, Russia
Colours: Yellow, orange
UC: With caution
Emerald
Hardness: 7.5–8
Origin: Brazil, Colombia, Canada
Colours: Green
UC: No
Spinel
Hardness: 8
Origin: Sri Lanka, Tanzania, Madagascar
Colours: Black, blue, shades of red
UC: Yes
Tanzanite
Hardness: 6.5
Origin: Tanzania
Colours: Blue
UC: No
Topaz
Hardness: 8
Origin: Brazil, Canada, Russia
Colours: Blue, colourless, brown
UC: No
Diamond
Hardness: 10
Origin: Russia, Australia, Canada
Colours: Colourless, yellowish
UC: No
Tourmaline
Hardness: 7–7.5
Origin: Brazil, India, Italy
Colours: All colours
UC: No
Zircon
Hardness: 7
Origin: Worldwide
Colours: All colours
UC: No
Cubic Zirconia (CZ)
Hardness: 7
Origin: Synthetic
Colours: All colours
UC: Yes
Ammolite
Hardness: 3.5–4.5
Origin: North America
Colours: Iridescent shades of green and red
UC: No
Sunstone
Hardness: 6–7
Origin: Nordic countries, Australia, India
Colours: Orange
UC: No
Aventurine
Hardness: 7
Origin: Brazil, Austria, Russia
Colours: Green
UC: No
Pearl
Hardness: 2.5–3
Origin: Worldwide
Colours: White
UC: No
Hematite
Hardness: 5
Origin: Canada, United States, Ukraine
Colours: Dark grey
UC: No
Jade
Hardness: 6.5–7
Origin: China, Russia, Australia
Colours: Green
UC: With caution
Jasper
Hardness: 6.5–7
Origin: Romania, Russia, India
Colours: Red
UC: No
Chalcedony
Hardness: 6.5
Origin: Brazil, Germany, Russia
Colours: Light blue
UC: Yes
Carnelian
Hardness: 7
Origin: Brazil, India, Russia
Colours: Orange
UC: With caution
Petrified Wood
Hardness: 6.5–7
Origin: Worldwide
Colours: Brownish grey
UC: No
Moonstone
Hardness: 6–6.5
Origin: Australia, Mexico, Madagascar
Colours: Pale blue
UC: No
Labradorite
Hardness: 6–6.5
Origin: Madagascar, Canada, Russia
Colours: Iridescent blue and green
UC: No
Lapis Lazuli
Hardness: 5–6
Origin: Afghanistan, Chile, Myanmar
Colours: Blue
UC: No
Malachite
Hardness: 3.5–4
Origin: Russia, Australia, Chile
Colours: Green
UC: No
Amber
Hardness: 2–2.5
Origin: Worldwide
Colours: Orange
UC: No
Nephrite
Hardness: 6–6.5
Origin: China, New Zealand
Colours: Green
UC: With caution
Obsidian
Hardness: 5–6
Origin: Chile, United States, Canada
Colours: Black
UC: No
Opal
Hardness: 5–6.5
Origin: Australia, Ethiopia, Brazil
Colours: Multicoloured
UC: No
Pyrite
Hardness: 6–6.5
Origin: Worldwide
Colours: Gold-coloured
UC: With caution
Rutilated Quartz
Hardness: 6–7
Origin: Australia, Brazil, United States
Colours: Translucent with brown rutile inclusions
UC: No
Sodalite
Hardness: 5.5–6
Origin: United States, Russia, Canada
Colours: Blue and white
UC: No
Spectrolite
Hardness: 6–6.5
Origin: Finland
Colours: Iridescent blue, orange and green
UC: No
Tiger's Eye
Hardness: 6–6.5
Origin: Australia, United States, Africa
Colours: Golden brown
UC: No
Turquoise
Hardness: 5–6
Origin: United States, Bulgaria, China
Colours: Turquoise blue
UC: No
