[Rockhounds] Cleaning Thai Rubies

[John Scully]

Hi,

I just got back from Thailand and, among new treasures, is a bag of bright
but lesser quality rubies and sapphires.  They are heavily coated with
something that brings out their color but looks fake -- waxy, shiny.  At
first I thought it was just some acrylic or shellac, but neither alcohol
nor varsol touches it.  OI can scratch it with a knife, but that is all.

Any ideas on what it is and how on earth to get rid of it??

Thanks
John Scully
☺