You’ve got your alexandrite birthstone, it’s set in a ring, and you want to wear it all the time.  After all, it’s your birthstone – it’s new – and you want to show it off! Oh, and you love wearing it too! After a few days of washing your hands – and you should be doing that often – you find the stone is looking a bit dull.  (eww – soap scum) How should you clean it?  Some stores offer to clean your jewelry in an ultrasonic cleaner.  Is it safe to put your ring in one of those? Do you take an old toothbrush and clean it with toothpaste?  (NO)  A soft toothbrush and a mild detergent would be okay.

 Pretty much any alexandrite – natural or synthetic – would be safe in an ultrasonic. Keep in mind, the ultrasonic cleaner vibrates the stones in the ring, so you want to take it to a jeweler who understands jewelry care and will monitor the condition of the ring both before and after cleaning.

 Imitation stones such as glass or synthetic alexandrite-like sapphire are also generally safe in an ultrasonic. There is only one type of imitation that you should be aware of and wary of – a coated stone of any kind.  Yes, sometimes a colorless stone is “painted” with a colored substance that alters its appearance. (What will they think of next?)

 So, you can see the importance of knowing what you have and how to care for it. It’s kind of like knowing you have to periodically change your car’s oil.  I trust my certified mechanic to put in the correct weight of oil and check all of the other liquids. I know I could learn to do that…but I’d rather not. Tomorrow – Moonstones.  Dii