|
GEMSTONE PROPERTIES CHART
|
|
|
|
AMETHYST
|
 |
A variety of the Quartz species usually found in various shades of purple.
Hardness: 7
Toughness: Good
Care: Ultrasonic or warm, soapy water are usually safe.
Warnings: Some stones may fade over extended periods of time.
Treatments: Most amethysts are heat treated to optimize color.
|
Return to Top
|
|
AUTUMN JASPER
|
 |
Usually a Jadeite mineral found in whitish light green hues.
Hardness: 6.5
Toughness: Good
Care: Ultrasonic, steam and warm, soapy water are all usually safe.
Warnings: None
Treatments: Generally untreated.
|
Return to Top
|
|
BLACK OBSIDIAN
|
|
Naturally ocurring volcanic glass that is usually black with some gray or white characteristics.
Hardness: 5
Toughness: Fair to Good
Care: Only clean with warm soapy water.
Warnings: None
Treatments: Generally untreated.
|
Return to Top
|
|
BLACK RUTILATED QUARTZ
|
 |
A variety of the Quartz species characterized by included black spindle crystals.
Hardness: 7
Toughness: Good
Care: Ultrasonic or warm, soapy water are usually safe
Warnings: None
Treatments: Generally untreated.
|
Return to Top
|
|
BLUE CHALCEDONY
|
|
A variety of the Chalcedony species that is found in varying shades of light blue to grayish
blue and semi-transparent to opaque.
Hardness: 6.5
Toughness: Good
Care: Ultrasonic, steam and warm, soapy water are all usually safe.
Warnings: None
Treatments: Generally untreated.
|
Return to Top
|
|
BLUE STONE
|
 |
This is an imitation stone created with glass and copper platelets. Blue stone has been
used for centuries as an adornment material and is usually a deep, sparkling blue.
Hardness: 5
Toughness: Fair
Care: Only clean with warm, soapy water.
Warnings: None
Treatments: This is not a naturally ocurring material. It is an imitation. There is
no such thing as a natural Blue stone.
|
Return to Top
|
|
CARNELIAN
|
 |
A variety of the Chalcedony species that is found in varying shades of orange, red and
brown and is semi-transparent to opaque.
Hardness: 6.5
Toughness: Good
Care: Ultrasonic, steam and warm, soapy water are all usually safe.
Warnings: None
Treatments: Many carnelians are heat treated to optimize color.
|
Return to Top
|
|
CRAZY LACE AGATE
|
 |
A variety of the Chalcedony species.
Hardness: 6.5
Toughness: Good
Care: Ultrasonic, steam and warm, soapy water are all usually safe.
Warnings: None
Treatments: Generally untreated.
|
Return to Top
|
|
CULTURED FRESHWATER PEARLS
|
 |
Hardness: 2.5 - 4
Toughness: Good
Care: Only clean with warm soapy water. Restringing may be necessary after cleaning.
Warnings: Never store pearls in air tight containers, they need moisture from the air.
Avoid any chemical contact whatsoever.
Treatments: Bleaching, dying and irradiation are all commonly used to enhance color.
|
Return to Top
|
|
FANCY JASPER
|
 |
A variety of the Chalcedony species
Hardness: 6.5
Toughness: Good
Care: Ultrasonic, steam and warm, soapy water are all usually safe.
Warnings: None
Treatments: Generally untreated.
|
Return to Top
|
|
GOLD STONE
|
 |
This is an imitation stone created with glass and copper platelets. Gold stone has been
used for centuries as an adornment material and is usually a deep, sparkling golden color.
Hardness: 5
Toughness: Fair
Care: Only clean with warm, soapy water.
Warnings: None
Treatments: This is not a naturally ocurring material. It is an imitation. There
is no such thing as a natural Gold stone.
|
Return to Top
|
|
GREEN DOT JASPER
|
|
A variety of the Chalcedony species
Hardness: 6.5
Toughness: Good
Care: Ultrasonic, steam and warm, soapy water are all usually safe.
Warnings: None
Treatments: Generally untreated.
|
Return to Top
|
|
GREY AGATE
|
 |
A variety of the Chalcedony species
Hardness: 6.5
Toughness: Good
Care: Ultrasonic, steam and warm, soapy water are all usually safe.
Warnings: None
Treatments: Generally untreated.
|
Return to Top
|
|
JADE
|
 |
Usually a Jadeite mineral found in whitish light green hues.
Hardness: 6.5
Toughness: Exceptional
Care: Ultrasonic, steam and warm, soapy water are all usually safe.
Warnings: None
Treatments: Jade is often impregnated with wax or resin to fill common fractures
and improve polish.
|
Return to Top
|
|
MOOKITE JASPER
|
 |
A variety of the Chalcedony species.
Hardness: 6.5
Toughness: Good
Care: Ultrasonic, steam and warm, soapy water are all usually safe.
Warnings: None
Treatments: Generally untreated.
|
Return to Top
|
|
MOSS AGATE
|
 |
A variety of the Chalcedony species.
Hardness: 6.5
Toughness: Good
Care: Ultrasonic, steam and warm, soapy water are all usually safe.
Warnings: None
Treatments: Generally untreated.
|
Return to Top
|
|
MOTHER OF PEARL SHELL
|
 |
Hardness: 3.5
Toughness: Fair
Care: Only clean with warm, soapy water.
Warnings: Prone to breakage. Handle with care.
Treatments: Dying and bleaching are common to enhance color. Some dyes may fade over time.
|
Return to Top
|
|
NEW JADE
|
 |
New Jade is the trade name for pale mint green Serpentine.
Hardness: 2.5
Toughness: Poor
Care: Only clean with warm soapy water.
Warnings: This stone is prone to both breakage and scratching. Not recommended
for bracelets. Handle with extra care.
Treatments: Often dyed and or impregnated with wax or resin to improve durability.
|
Return to Top
|
|
OLIVE JADE
|
 |
Olive Jade is the trade name for yellowish green Serpentine.
Hardness: 2.5
Toughness: Poor
Care: Only clean with warm soapy water.
Warnings: This stone is prone to both breakage and scratching. Not recommended
for bracelets. Handle with extra care.
Treatments: Often dyed and or impregnated with wax or resin to improve durability.
|
Return to Top
|
|
PICASSO JASPER
|
 |
A variety of the Chalcedony species.
Hardness: 6.5
Toughness: Good
Care: Ultrasonic, steam and warm, soapy water are all usually safe.
Warnings: None
Treatments: Generally untreated.
|
Return to Top
|
|
PINK AGATE
|
 |
A variety of the Chalcedony species.
Hardness: 6.5
Toughness: Good
Care: Ultrasonic, steam and warm, soapy water are all usually safe.
Warnings: None
Treatments: Generally untreated.
|
Return to Top
|
|
RAINBOW JASPER
|
 |
A variety of the Chalcedony species.
Hardness: 6.5
Toughness: Good
Care: Ultrasonic, steam and warm, soapy water are all usually safe.
Warnings: None
Treatments: Generally untreated.
|
Return to Top
|
|
ROCK CRYSTAL QUARTZ
|
 |
A variety of the Quartz species that is clear and colorless.
Hardness: 7
Toughness: Good
Care: Ultrasonic or warm, soapy water are usually safe.
Warnings: None
Treatments: Generally untreated.
|
Return to Top
|
|
ROSE QUARTZ
|
 |
A variety of the Quartz species found in various shades of pale pink.
Hardness: 7
Toughness: Good
Care: Ultrasonic or warm, soapy water are usually safe.
Warnings: This stone is prone to fading if exposed to sun or artificial light for
extended periods of time. Store in a jewelry box or closed container.
Treatments: Generally untreated.
|
Return to Top
|
|
SILVER LEAF JASPER
|
 |
A variety of the Chalcedony species.
Hardness: 6.5
Toughness: Good
Care: Ultrasonic, steam and warm, soapy water are all usually safe.
Warnings: None
Treatments: Generally untreated.
|
Return to Top
|
|
SMOKY QUARTZ
|
 |
A variety of the Quartz species that is a smoky grey color.
Hardness: 7
Toughness: Good
Care: Ultrasonic or warm, soapy water are usually safe.
Warnings: None
Treatments: Often heat treated to enhance color.
|
Return to Top
|
|
SODALITE
|
 |
A dark blue to violet blue mineral with prevalent white and grey veining.
Hardness: 5
Toughness: Poor
Care: Only clean with warm, soapy water.
Warnings: This stone is prone to breakage and will crack is dropped. Not
recommended for bracelets. Handle with extra care.
Treatments: Generally untreated.
|
Return to Top
|
|
TIGER EYE
|
 |
A variety of the Quartz species that is opaque browns and yellos and is characterized
by a chatoyant light phenomenon.
Hardness: 7
Toughness: Good
Care: Ultrasonic or warm, soapy water are usually safe.
Warnings: None
Treatments: Many stones are bleached to lighten color and highlight
contrasting hues in the stones.
|
Return to Top
|
|
TURQUOISE
|
 |
An opaque mineral in blue to blue-green hues with black or grey veining.
Hardness: 5
Toughness: Fair to Good
Care: Only clean with warm, soapy water.
Warnings: Exposure to heat can discolor stones.
Treatments: Turquoise is usually impregnated with wax, resin or plastic.
Impregnated, or "stabilized," turqouise is more durable and better able to withstand
normal wear and tear. Dying is also used to enhance color.
|
Return to Top
|
|
YELLOW JASPER
|
 |
A variety of the Chalcedony species.
Hardness: 6.5
Toughness: Good
Care: Ultrasonic, steam and warm, soapy water are all usually safe.
Warnings: None
Treatments: Generally untreated.
|
Return to Top
|
