Steam cleaning

Steam Cleaning
Steam cleaning refers to cleaning of metal casting through steam and it is suitable for removing oily or greasy residue.
Soap Water Cleaning ...

Steam cleaning: Used primarily by jewelers. This aggressive cleaning process combines steam with pressure. Steam cleaning is not suitable for all gemstones.
Step cut: A manner of cutting a gem with rectangular facets along its perimeter.

Recutting, steam cleaning, ultrasonic and occasionally alcohol may adversely affect color and appearance
Recutting or extreme heat may remove filling material ...

Ultrasonic and steam cleaning are not recommended.
Aventurine Facts And Care
Aventurine is a member of the quartz mineral family.
It is usually a green color, but can also be yellow, brown or gray.

Never clean an opal using chemicals, detergents, ultrasonic or steam cleaning machines. The safest and best way to clean opals is with lukewarm water, a very mild soap and a soft brush. Be sure to rinse and dry thoroughly.

However, in order to endure years of wear keep it away from steam cleaning, home ultrasonic cleaner and heating. It should also be protected from scratches and sharp blows.

Ultrasonic or steam cleaning is too risky, and beads to be used in bracelets should be worn carefully and infrequently. The best uses for this stone are earrings, brooches and pendants, which are worry free.

I use a 20% sodium hydroxide solution warmed on a hot plate followed by steam cleaning. Dip the cleaned burrs in concentrated nitric acid and let the acid work for a half minute or less, then steam clean again. Your burrs should be sharpened.

It requires gentle care, so no ultrasonic or steam cleaning should be done. Use in rings, bracelets, belt buckles, or other jewelry that gets rough and/or constant wear is not advisable.

Avoid steam cleaning and ultrasonic cleaning, both of which can damage the color of the stone. Soak the piece in warm soapy water for ten to twenty minutes, then scrub lightly with a soft tooth brush before rinsing with clear water.

Steam cleaning helps to remove the packed in dirt found behind stones and are indispensable in jeweler's shops large and small. The Jewel Jet is one of the first personal jewelry steam cleaner designed specifically for home use.

To clean garnet, use warm soapy water and a soft brush. Ultrasonic cleaning is safe for most types of garnet except demantoid. Avoid steam cleaning.
Garnet is the recommended gift for couples celebrating their second wedding anniversary.

Steam cleaners and tanzanite are also not the ideal combination, since tanzanite can suffer from thermal shock and fracture. As with ultrasonic cleaning, problems with steam cleaning are rare but not unheard of.

Due to some heat sensitivity, it is best not to subject this gem to steam cleaning.

Charoite: Formed from silicate of potassium, calcium and sodium. 5-6 on the Mohs Hardness Scale. Excessive heat, ultrasonic and steam cleaning and harsh chemicals must be avoided.

No special care needed for untreated jadeite; treated jadeite may be damaged by ultrasonic and/or steam cleaning; solvents, acids
Enhancements
Most jadeite is wax dipped; some jadeite is dyed and/or bleached and then polymer-impregnated.

The common fractures and internal characteristics of Emeralds often require treatments or enhancements to improve their appearance for use in jewelry. Steam cleaning, use of chemicals for cleaning, and ultrasonic cleaning, which may extend fractures, ...

Clean your tanzanite with warm, soapy water and a soft bristle brush. Also, avoid ultrasonic or steam cleaning, because the high temperatures could damage the stone. Most nicks and scratches can be removed through polishing.

Tourmaline is mined in many parts of the world including Brazil, Afghanistan, East Africa and the United States. Although the gem is durable, avoid steam cleaning and heat.
COLORED GEMSTONE CARE ...

Avoid cleaning pearls with soap or detergent, especially those that contain ammonia or harsh detergents.
Never use cleaning solutions meant for gold and silver, steam cleaning, or an ultrasonic jewellery cleaner.

commercial jewelry cleaner or plain soap and warm water (using a soft brush) to wash your citrine. Make sure you rinse and dry it thoroughly after cleaning it. You may also have the stone cleaned in an ultrasonic cleaner, however steam cleaning ...

See also: Clean, Stone, Color, Gemstone, Jewel