|
Gemstones |
Hardness |
Care |
|
Agate |
6.5 to 7 |
|
|
Amber |
2 to 2.5 |
protect from scratches; household chemicals, cosmetics, perfumes can damage and discolor |
|
Ammolite |
4.5 |
very fragile; avoid bumping and scratching |
|
Andalusite |
7 to 7.5 |
|
|
Benitoite |
6 to 6.5 |
protect from blows |
|
Beryl (Aquamarine, Green Beryl, Red Beryl, Morganite, Heliodor) |
7.5 |
|
|
Chalcedony (Chrysocolla, Chrysoprase) |
6.5 to 7 |
|
|
Chrysoberyl(Alexandrite, Cat’s Eye) |
8.5 |
|
|
Coral |
3.5 to 4 |
very soft; avoid chemicals |
|
Diamond |
10 |
very hard; protect from blows |
|
Emerald |
7.5 to 8 |
protect from blows, high temperatures, and solvents, avoid ultrasonic cleaners. |
|
Feldspar (Moonstone, Sunstone) |
6 to 6.5 |
|
|
Garnet (Malaya, Pyrope, Rhodolite, Spessartite, Tsavorite) |
6.5 to 7.5 |
protect from sharp blows |
|
Iolite |
7 to 7.5 |
|
|
Jadeite |
6.5 to 7 |
may be waxed, avoid chemical cleaners |
|
Kunzite |
6.5 to 7 |
color can fade with wear; avoid sharp blows; protective setting is recomended |
|
Lapis Lazuli |
5 to 6 |
protect from scratching |
|
Malachite |
3.5 to 4 |
very soft; protect from scratching |
|
Opal |
5 to 6.5 |
protect from sharp blows, heat and light, protective setting recommended-(Evening wear) |
|
Pearl |
2.5 to 4 |
protect from scratches; perfumes and household chemicals can wear away nacre
|
|
Peridot |
6.5 to 7 |
protective setting recomended; can chip |
|
Quartz (Amethyst, Ametrine, Citrine, Rock Crystal, Rose Quartz) |
6.5 to 7 |
|
|
Ruby |
9 |
very tough, no special care required |
|
Sapphire |
9 |
very tough, no special care required |
|
Spinel |
8 |
|
|
Sugilite |
5.5 to 6.5 |
protect from scratching |
|
Tanzanite |
6 to 7 |
protective setting recommended |
|
Topaz |
8 |
protect from sharp blows |
|
Turquoise |
5 to 6 |
take care to prevent scratching; protective setting recommended, avoid chemical cleaning |
|
Zircon |
6 to 7.5 |
facet junctions can abrade |
