Ask the Experts about Jewelry Making

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Topics: Chrysocolla Smell

Q.
All my chrysocolla beads have a strong antiseptic smell. Is this normal for this gemstone? Is there any way I can eliminate it? Thanks for the chance to ask!
- Sandra
A.
Sometimes beads can have an odor due to the process used to manufacture the beads. The best way to remove odors is to rinse your beads with a mild soap and luke-warm water solution as this will remove any residue on the beads that may be causing the smell. Here's a handy ''Gemstone Cleaning Chart'' which gives a good idea of which cleaning methods are safe for particular precious and semiprecious gemstones. You may also find that the odors some beads may disperse with time as you leave them out of packaging. With a Mohs hardness of 2 to 4, chrysocolla is a good choice for use in short necklace and earring designs that are protected from heavy abuse. Natural gemstones vary in color and tone.

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