| Stone |
Durability |
Rarity |
Cleaning Recommendations |
|
Labradorite |
A relatively durable feldspar, this gemstone should be protected from extreme heat and long exposure to water. |
Somewhat rare in gem grade. |
Sunshine Cloth |
|
Lapis Lazuli |
Lapis Lazuli is about as hard as your teeth, so while relatively durable, it will not
take repeated poundings.
Immensely popular, genuine untreated Lapis Lazuli is quite expensive! Most Lapis today
is an inferior grade from Chile, which is then dyed to enhance the coloring. Unfortunately, Lapis does not take dye well
and so it washes off rather readily in water. If you're not paying alot for this gemstone, its probably been either dyed
or is really Dumortierite (see above) or Sodalite (see below) being sold as Lapis. Lapis will always have little
golden flakes and should help you identify the real thing. Always ASK your dealer if it is genuine Lapis and
whether it has been treated in any way before purchasing this oh-so-faked gemstone! |
Rare. Best grade from Afghanistan. |
Sunshine Cloth |
|
Leopardskin Jasper |
Relatively durable. |
Relatively common |
Sunshine Cloth |
|
Lepidolite |
FRAGILE! A lithium Mica, Mica is quite soft and can be scratched easily with a knife. |
Rather rare geologically. |
Sunshine Cloth |
|
Lodestone |
Protect from exposure to water as this is gemstone will rust. |
Very common, it is still most often created synthetically and most Lodestone (
Magnetic Hematite) is created in the Laboratory. |
Sunshine Cloth |
|
Mahogany Obsidian |
Relatively fragile as this gemstone is BRITTLE. This is a super-cooled volcanic flow,
which didn't allow the lava to crystallize--hence also known as Volcanic Glass. |
Somewhat common |
Sunshine Cloth |
|
Malachite |
VERY FRAGILE. This is a Carbonate--which means it will dissolve relatively
easily when exposed to water--do not wear while swimming or showering. |
Somewhat rare and growing rarer. |
Sunshine Cloth |
|
Marble |
VERY SOFT and porous! Marble is the fossilized remains of the skeletons of
ancient marine life. Protect from
heat and avoid exposure to water (do not wear swimming or showering). |
Generally quite common |
Sunshine Cloth |
|
Moldavite |
This is Impact Glass created by a meteor striking the earth. Glass is rather
brittle and can be easily scratched in every day wear. |
Genuine Moldavite is very rare and expensive. Always purchase this one from a
reputable dealer! |
Sunshine Cloth |
| Moonstone |
A feldspar, this is a relatively durable gemstone, however protect from excessive
heat and long-term exposure to water. |
Somewhat common. |
Sunshine Cloth |
|
Moss Agate |
Relatively durable, this is a Quartz based gemstone. |
Somewhat common |
Sunshine Cloth |
|
Mother-of-Pearl |
FRAGILE! The exoskeleton of marine creatures. Protect from excess heat and
from prolonged exposure to water. NO harsh cleaning products. |
Common. Most often bleached (white). In its natural state, Mother-of-Pearl is a
truly beautiful shimmery tan. |
Sunshine Cloth |
|
Nevada Lapis |
Relatively durable. |
Somewhat rare |
Sunshine Cloth |
|
Obsidian |
FRAGILE. Obsidian is brittle, i.e., chips into very sharp edges. Obsidian is also
quite unstable at the earth's surface temperature/pressure and so tends to break down and become cloudy. Protect
your Obsidian from heat and moisture and store in Ziplocs between wearings. |
Common |
Sunshine Cloth |
|
Ocean Jasper |
Relatively durable. |
Rare in good quality. |
Sunshine Cloth |
|
Onyx |
Relatively durable, however, often dyed. This gemstone holds dye well.
AVOID harsh cleaning substances which may strip the dye if you even half-suspect the
gemstone has been treated. Always ask your dealer before purchasing Onyx, as this is one of the most dyed of
all gemstones. |
Common |
Sunshine Cloth |
|
Opal |
FRAGILE. Opals set in Gold are often stored in glycerin or water
between wearings. This is NOT recommended for Opals set in Sterling Silver--we recommend storing in
a cool dark place in a Ziploc. Protect from heat, sunlight and harsh cleaning substances. Even with
the best of care, Opals often dry out and disintegrate--usually within about 150 years. To date,
Gemologists are unable to predict which Opals will last and which will break down relatively rapidly
(within 1-25 years). |
Rare |
Sunshine Cloth |
|
Pearls |
FRAGILE. Pearls are relatively soft and will likely need to be replaced often when
worn daily or in rings. AVOID all harsh cleaning fluids and protect from excessive heat and sunlight. |
Pearls have become artificially cheap with the entry of China onto the market. Investing
in some high grade Pearls is likely a good idea! |
Sunshine Cloth |
|
Peridot |
Durable. A genuine, untreated Peridot can usually be cleaned in Silver and Gold
Jewelry Cleaning Fluids.
|
Somewhat rare, especially in the larger sizes. |
Sunshine Cloth |
|
Peruvian Blue Opal |
FRAGILE. This is a true Opal and will break down with excessive exposure to
sunlight, heat and harsh chemicals. Clean professionally. |
Rare and expensive. Prices are skyrocketing for this beautifully vibrant aqua
gemstone. Likely a good investment. |
Sunshine Cloth |
|
Peruvian Pink Opal |
FRAGILE. This is a true Opal and will break down with excessive exposure to
sunlight, heat and harsh chemicals. Clean professionally. |
Rare and expensive, though generally less expensive than the Peruvian Blue Opal
(see above). Likely a good investment. |
Sunshine Cloth |
|
Pewter |
Pewter is known for NOT tarnishing, so should require very little cleaning. The metal
is SOFT, so protect from rough treatment. CAUTION! Must of the Pewter coming from China contains LEAD.
So be sure to ask before you buy--and as a caution, keep away from children. |
Generally less expensive than Silver, Pewter is made from an alloy of Tin.
|
Sunshine Cloth |
|
Picasso Jasper |
Relatively durable Quartz based gemstone. |
Somewhat common |
Sunshine Cloth |
|
Picture Jasper |
Picture Jasper is a Sandstone with vistas displayed in the gemstone. This is generally
an inexpensive gemstone, however, not terribly durable and tends to crumble on rough handling. Avoid excess
exposure to water and heat. |
Common |
Sunshine Cloth |
|
Poppy Jasper |
Relatively durable Quartz based gemstone. |
Common |
Sunshine Cloth |
|
Prehnite |
Prehnite is a harder than your teeth, but not as hard as a Jasper. Avoid
excess exposure to heat, sunlight and water, which may dull the gem. |
Common |
Sunshine Cloth |
|
Quartz |
Relatively durable, avoid rough handling as Quartz will fracture. Keep from excessive
temperature variations as this may cause internal fractures in the gemstone. |
Common, rarer in pure clear form |
Sunshine Cloth |
|
Red Jasper |
Relatively durable. We have heard of this gemstone being dyed--but never come
across it ourselves. Be cautious if VERY evenly colored. |
Common |
Sunshine Cloth |
|
Rhodochrosite |
VERY FRAGILE! This very lovely gemstone is a Carbonate, meaning it will dissolve in
even mild acid. Protect from heat, sunlight and avoid exposure to water. |
Relatively rare. |
Sunshine Cloth |
|
Rhodonite |
Relatively durable. |
Somewhat rare. |
Sunshine Cloth |
|
Rhyolite |
This gemstone is finely crystalline granite and is relatively durable, however this
gemstone may dull with excessive exposure to sunlight, heat and water. |
Common |
Sunshine Cloth |
|
Riverstone |
VERY FRAGILE! This is really a limestone and therefore will easily dissolve in
even the mildest acid solutions--so is often treated with Epoxy to seal the stone. Highly porous, spilling coffee on this
gemstone (without an epoxy finish) will ruin it! Avoid exposure to water and ALL cleaning solvents. |
Common |
Sunshine Cloth |
|
Rose Quartz |
Relatively durable, avoid rough handling as Rose Quartz will fracture. Avoid exposure
to sunlight as this will fade the gemstone. Often dyed! |
Common, though Natural Rose Quartz is becoming rarer in the higher grades. |
Sunshine Cloth |
|
Ruby |
Ruby and Sapphire are in the same Corundum Family. Ruby is the red
variety and extremely durable. While Diamond is a 10 on the Moh's hardness scale, Ruby is a 9. Sometimes treated
and very often lab created. When shopping at Mall Jewelers, Spinels (easily created in the laboratory) are often sold as
Rubies. Be sure to ask! |
Extremely rare and expensive. |
Sunshine Cloth |
|
Ruby Zoisite |
Somewhat durable, this gemstone is a little harder than your teeth. Protect from
excessive heat and sunlight as this will likely fade the gemstone. |
Rare |
Sunshine Cloth |
|
Rutilated Quartz |
Relatively durable, avoid rough handling as Rutilated Quartz will fracture. |
Rare! An excellent investment as most Rutilated Quartz comes
from Nepal. With the entry of China into the gemstone market, this gemstone is artificially inexpensive. An EXCELLENT investment, especially in the high grades. |
Sunshine Cloth |
|
Sapphire |
Extremely durable. |
In good quality, Sapphire is rare! In the Gem World, Sapphire refers to any non-red
Corundum (red being Ruby). Sapphires come in many colors, from white to yellow to green. In lower grades,
Sapphire (Corundum) is so hard, its often used to create sand-paper. |
Silver or Gold Cleaning Solvent. |
|
Serpentine |
About as hard as your teeth. Avoid rapping against harder objects. |
Common. Very often called New Jade or used to cheaply imitate the much more
expensive Nephrite and Jadeite (Jade). Be sure to ASK YOUR DEALER if you're in the market for the real thing. |
Sunshine Cloth |
|
Shell |
VERY FRAGILE. Shell is the exoskeleton of living marine creatures. Avoid
exposure to heat and harsh cleaning fluids. |
Most shell varieties are quite common and affordable. |
Sunshine Cloth |
|
Silver |
EXTREMELY FRAGILE, Sterling Silver (92.5%) and Fine Silver (99.5%) are easily
scratched with your fingernail. |
Somewhat rare, Silver prices have spiked in the last couple years. |
Silver or Gold Cleaning Solvent. |
|
Silver Leaf Jasper |
Relatively durable. A Quartz based gemstone. |
A rather obscure gemstone, Silver Leaf Jasper is relatively common. |
Sunshine Cloth |
|
Smoky Quartz |
Relatively durable, avoid rough handling as Smoky Quartz will fracture. |
One of the more common varieties of colored Quartz. Most Smoky Quartz has
been irradiated to increase and even out the coloring (a good hint its been irradiated? Its uniformly quite dark) |
Silver or Gold Cleaning Solvent. |
|
Snow Quartz |
Relatively durable but will fracture and chip if handled roughly. |
Very common. |
Sunshine Cloth |
|
Sodalite |
Somewhat FRAGILE. Sodalite usually has characteristic white runners which
is really Calcite, an extremely soft and fragile gemstone. Use extreme care when cleaning this gemstone. Avoid heat,
sunlight and harsh cleaning solutions. |
Somewhat rare, Sodalite is often used to imitate its more expensive cousin, Lapis
Lazuli. |
Sunshine Cloth |
|
Staurolite |
Tough and durable. |
Exceedingly Rare! This is one of the more faked gemstones around. Staurolite may
be ground up and reconstituted into cross forms and then sold as Staurolite Crosses--and they are, but they're
not naturally occuring. How to tell if its real? It should be quite expensive (in excess of $100 for a decent crystal).
Often associated with Garnet and Mica. | Sunshine Cloth |
|
Sugilite |
Relatively durable. |
Exceedingly Rare! An excellent investment as Sugilite has only been found in a few
locales around the world (Japan, mined out and South Africa). An EXCELLENT investment as Sugilite seems to continue
to increase in price--so much so, its nearly priced itself out of the market! |
Sunshine Cloth |
|
Sunstone |
Somewhat fragile, genuine Sunstone is not stable at the Earth's surface temperatures and
pressure. If closed up in a baggie for a while, it generally has a smell--like a musty cliff. |
Very rare and obscure, but exceptionally beautiful. The most famous Sunstone
comes from Oregon. Deposits have been found in India. |
Sunshine Cloth |
