Continuing the list of Gemstones you shouldn't put in Ultrasonic Jewelry Cleaners, we have...
Pearls: Pearls are soft and erode easily. Putting Pearls in Ultrasonic Cleaners can actually dissolve their outer shell. Same with Black Pearls, Freshwater Pearls, Cultured Pearls, and of course, any Dyed Pearls like the new "Chocolate Pearls!"
Mother of Pearl is also the same way. Don't put it in the Cleaner! Clean it by hand. Pearls are often glued into Jewelry or glued onto Posts. Most Pearl Rings put in an Ultrasonic Cleaner would dissolve the glue and loosen the Pearl. Not to say, that the entire Pearl and Nacre Shell could dissolve and look dull and ugly!
And then we have Emeralds! Emeralds are softer gems that are often "Oiled" and riddled with Inclusions. (Oiling is a process that fills in any open Inclusions to make the Emerald appear better!) Ultrasonic Cleaners can quickly remove that oil and end up fracturing your pretty little Emerald.
Tanzanite: Tanzanite is a beautiful Blue-Violet Gemstone that is always heat treated! ALWAYS! (Read: All About Tanzanites!) Tanzanites are heat treated to enhance color, and heat from an Ultrasonic Cleaner can actually fade that gorgeous color. Beware! And sinceTanzanites are softer Gemstones they can fracture in the Cleaner. Clean them by hand!
Lapis and Onyx are fragile stones that can break under the heat of Cleaners. Plus, a lot of Porous Stones like Lapis and Onyx are often Dyed to enhance their color. Ultrasonic Cleaners can dull them and shatter them.
The same goes for Amber, Malachite, Turquoise, Jade, Coral, Marcasite, Agates and the rest of the list. These Gemstones can fracture and break in Jewelry Ultrasonic Cleaners. Cleaning them by hand with a damp cloth and a soft toothbrush is the best medicine.
And what about Diamonds? Can't Diamonds be put in Ultrasonic Cleaners? Read on...
