How to Safely Remove Varnish from Cabochons

Question
Hi, I just recieved a bucketful of beautifully cut cabochons.  However, they are very old and were polished with a varnish or lacquer of some kind. I would like to clean the varnish off and then polish them on a leather wheel. They are a mixed bunch of stones, some jade, obsidian, agate, jaspers and others I cannot identify. What can I use to remove the varnish without damaging the stones?

Answer
Hello,

I would soak them in acetone.  Just make sure to seal the acetone and stones in a bottle with a air tight lid. Acetone evaporates very fast and when mixed with air is very volatile and will burn very fast if exposed to a spark or open flame.  You do not want to breathe the fumes either.  I use it all the time to dissolve glue from dopping the stones. If you are careful and use it wisely its okay.

Regards,

Steven D.Covey