| Amethyst |
Usually heated to improve appearance or deepen color. |
Clean with warm soapy water and a soft brush or cloth. Do not expose to intense heat. |
| Aquamarine |
Traditionally heated to improve appearance. |
Clean with warm soapy water and a soft brush or cloth. |
| Chalcedony Black (Onyx) |
Always dyed. |
Avoid exposure to extreme light and heat as stones may fade. |
| Citrine |
Usually heated to improve appearance. |
Clean with warm soapy water and a soft brush or cloth. Do not expose to intense heat. |
| Cultured Pearl |
Usually bleached and polished to achieve uniform color and shape. May be dyed or irradiated to produce various colors. |
Do not use ultrasonic cleaner or steamer. Avoid contact with cosmetics, hair spray, perfume and household chemicals. Clean with a soft cloth. |
| Black Diamonds |
There are 2 different processes that create black diamonds - heat treatment and irradiation. Heat treatment exposes the diamond to high temperatures, which creates graphite residue in the crystal. Irradiation modifies the crystal structure of the stone. |
None |
| Blue Diamonds |
Natural blue diamonds are so rare, that in recent years, methods of producing intensely colored diamonds have been developed. Blue diamonds are created by irradiating colorless diamonds causing the color to change, then heat-treating them to stabilize the color. |
None |
| Drusy |
Often dyed to enhance its beauty and overall appearance. In addition to this, some varieties are coated with titanium which creates spectacular iridescent finishes. |
Clean with warm soapy water and a soft brush or cloth. Avoid strong detergents and extreme heat. |
| Emerald |
Usually penetrated with oil, wax or resin to improve appearance. Occasionally dyed with color agents. |
Do not use ultrasonic cleaner or steamer. Avoid sudden temperature changes, steaming and contact with cosmetics, hair spray, perfume and household chemicals. Clean with a damp cloth or soft brush. |
| Garnet |
None |
Clean with warm soapy water and a soft brush or cloth. |
| Green Quartz |
Heat treated to improve appearance or deepen color. |
Clean with warm soapy water and a soft brush or cloth. Do not expose to intense heat. |
| Kunzite |
Usually heated and irradiated. |
Natural and/or enhanced material may fade. Avoid strong light and ultrasonic cleaners and steamers. Clean with a damp cloth or soft brush. |
| Lapis Lazuli |
Usually impregnated with colorless wax. Often dyed. |
Do not use ultrasonic cleaner or steamer. Avoid contact with cosmetics, hair spray, perfume and household chemicals. Clean with a damp cloth or soft brush. |
| Opal |
None |
Do not use ultrasonic cleaner or steamer. Avoid heat and contact with cosmetics, hair spray, perfume and household chemicals. Clean with a damp cloth or soft brush. |
| Peridot |
None |
Do not use ultrasonic cleaner or steamer. Avoid sudden temperature changes and contact with harsh chemicals. |
| Ruby |
Usually heated to improve appearance. Surface cavities and fractures are usually filled with glass and glass-like substances that contain lead. Occasionally diffused to improve color. |
Clean with warm soapy water and a soft brush or cloth. Avoid strong detergents, heat, pressure and ultrasonic. Avoid re-polishing or re-cutting of the stone. Color may fade in light or with heat. |
| Sapphire |
Usually heated to improve appearance. Occasionally irradiated. Commonly diffused along with heat application to create different colors. Yellow sapphire is always diffused. |
Clean with warm soapy water and a soft brush or cloth. Avoid strong detergents, heat, pressure and ultrasonic. Avoid re-polishing or re-cutting of the stone. Color may fade in light or with heat. |
| Tanzanite |
Usually heated to improve appearance. |
Do not use ultrasonic cleaner or steamer. Avoid sudden temperature changes. Clean with a damp cloth or soft brush. |
| Turquoise |
Commonly treated, impregnated with plastic, wax or colorless oil. Rarely dyed to improve color. |
Do not use ultrasonic cleaner or steamer. Avoid contact with cosmetics, hair spray, perfume and household chemicals. Clean with a damp cloth or soft brush. |
| Topaz (All colors) |
Usually irradiated and heated to produce color. Some topaz may be coated to produce color. |
Clean with warm soapy water and a soft brush or cloth. |
Tourmaline
(Green, Blue, Pink, Red, Purple) |
Commonly heated to improve appearance. |
Do not use ultrasonic cleaner or steamer. Avoid sudden temperature changes, steaming and contact with cosmetics, hair spray, perfume and household chemicals. Clean with a soft brush or cloth. |
While not accepted by the Macy's Fine Jewelry Department, treatments other than those listed above are often used in the industry.
Due to the nature of some treatments, such as fracture-filling, and the fact that technology and practice is constantly changing, we cannot guarantee that all have been detected. Also, treatments in addition to those listed above (including the fracture-filling and laser drilling of diamonds) may be used in the Sterling and Costume Departments, and we are unable to specify such treatments.