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Using steam or an ultrasonic cleaner depends primarily on the gemstone being cleaned. Generally speaking, organic materials (bone, coral, pearls, etc.) cannot take ultrasonic cleaning. (That also means you should not immerse your hands or fingers in an ultrasonic cleaner while it's running.) You may want to print out the chart below and hang it near your cleaning area for instant reference. Any stone with a crack in it should not be ultrasonically cleaned. Stone Ultrasonic Steam Comments Amber No No Wipe with soft cloth. If further cleaning is needed, use warm water with mild detergent (such as Gesswein Ultrasonic Cleaning Solution) on a soft cloth, rinse and dry thoroughly. Amethyst OK Gently Generally poses no particular cleaning problem. Aqua OK Gently Generally poses no particular cleaning problem. Carnelian No Gently Wipe with soft cloth. If further cleaning is needed, use warm water with mild detergent (such as Gesswein Ultrasonic Cleaning Solution) on a soft cloth, rinse and dry thoroughly. Citrine OK Gently Generally poses no particular cleaning problem. Coral No No Use warm water with mild detergent (such as Gesswein Ultrasonic Cleaning Solution) and a soft brush. Diamond OK OK Generally poses no particular cleaning problem. Emerald No No Use warm water with mild detergent (such as Gesswein Ultrasonic Cleaning Solution) and a soft brush. Garnet OK Gently Generally poses no particular cleaning problem. Heliodor OK Gently Generally poses no particular cleaning problem. Jade OK Gently Wipe with soft cloth. If further cleaning is needed, use warm water with mild detergent (such as Gesswein Ultrasonic Cleaning Solution) on a soft cloth, rinse and dry thoroughly. Kunzite No No Fragile stone. Use warm water with mild detergent (such as Gesswein Ultrasonic Cleaning Solution) and a soft brush. Lapis No Gently Be careful, material varies greatly. Use warm water with mild detergent (such as Gesswein Ultrasonic Cleaning Solution) and a soft brush. Opal No No Fragile stone. Use warm water with mild detergent (such as Gesswein Ultrasonic Cleaning Solution) and a soft brush. Pearls No No Wipe with soft cloth. If very stained, use warm, mild soapy solution on a soft cloth; do not dip in liquid. Be careful to dry thoroughly. Moisture remaining in drill hole can eventually cause discoloration. Peridot OK if cool No Fragile stone. Use warm water with mild detergent (such asGesswein Ultrasonic Cleaning Solution) and a soft brush. Ruby OK OK Generally poses no particular cleaning problem. Sapphire OK OK Generally poses no particular cleaning problem. Spinel OK OK Generally poses no particular cleaning problem. Tanzanite No No Fragile stone. Use warm water with mild detergent (such as Gesswein Ultrasonic Cleaning Solution) and a soft brush. Topaz Best avoided. Gently Topaz cleaves easily. If cracks or cleaves are visible, keep out of ultrasonic. Tourmaline OK Gently Generally poses no particular cleaning problem. Zircon OK Gently Generally poses no particular cleaning problem.