Ultrasonic jewelry cleaners make cleaning many types of jewelry quick and easy, but ultrasonic cleaning is not for all jewelry. Immersion in cleaning fluid and ultrasonic waves can damage some jewelry.
Fragile Gemstones
Ultrasonic cleaning can break or crack gemstones that have a fragile crystal structure or have cracks or inclusions Gemstones such as emeralds, which are often filled with oil to improve appearance, or topazes that have been heat treated or have other treatments to enhance appearance are not good candidates either.
Porous Gemstones
Opal, onyx, pearl and turquoise gemstones, in addition to other soft, porous gemstones, can be cracked, pitted or otherwise damaged by ultrasonic cleaning. Additionally, many porous gemstones are often treated with protective coatings that ultrasonic cleaning can remove.
Intricate Settings
Ultrasonic cleaning damages intricate jewelry settings, resulting in broken prongs or bezels and lost gemstones. Both immersion in fluid and ultrasonic waves can cause delicate metals to weaken and break, resulting in expensive repairs.
Considerations
If you are unsure whether your jewelry is safe for ultrasonic cleaning, consult a reputable jeweler for advice.
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