Cleaning and caring for natural stone jewelry

You've created or invested in beautiful natural stone jewelry, and you want to keep it looking as good as new? Good news: caring for your creations doesn't require expensive products or special skills. Just a few simple gestures!

Caring for gemstones

Why do natural stones require special care? Unlike stainless steel or gold, natural stones are living materials, some porous, others fragile. Their mineral composition varies enormously from one stone to another: what's perfect for an amethyst may damage a malachite or tarnish a lapis lazuli.

Before cleaning, you need to know two things: the hardness of your stone (expressed on the Mohs scale, from 1 to 10) and its porosity. These two criteria determine everything.

The golden rules before cleaning your stones

Whatever the stone, certain principles apply universally:

• Avoid ultrasound for most natural stones: it can create micro-cracks invisible to the naked eye.
• Avoid chemical products: bleach, strong alcohol, vinegar and household detergents should be avoided.
• Remove your jewelry before showering, swimming, sports or any manual activity.
• Store them separately: hard stones (diamonds, sapphires, rubies) can scratch softer stones if they touch.
• Avoid prolonged exposure to the sun: some stones, such as amethyst and citrine, can discolor.

Cleaning natural stone jewelry: the basic method

For the vast majority of stones, here's the gentle method that works:

What you need:

• A bowl of lukewarm water (never hot)
• A few drops of mild soap (liquid Marseille soap, baby soap)
• A soft-bristled toothbrush or fine paintbrush
• A soft, lint-free cloth (microfiber ideally)

Method:

1. Dip the jewel briefly in soapy water
2. Gently scrub with the brush
3. Rinse with clear, lukewarm water
4. Dry immediately and thoroughly

Please note: do not leave your stones to soak.

Sensitive stones: what you need to know

Some stones require additional precautions. Here are the main ones:

Highly porous stones (clean dry or with a slightly damp cloth only):

• Turquoise
• Malachite
• Lapis lazuli
• Opal
• Moonstone

For these stones, water can alter the color, cause staining or weaken the structure. A soft, slightly damp cloth will suffice.

Stones that do not cope well with temperature changes:

• Opal is particularly sensitive to thermal shock.
• Tanzanite can crack with hot water.

Stones that react to acids:

• Calcite, aragonite and pearl are attacked by mild acids (lemon, vinegar), even diluted.

Care according to setting type

Cleaning gemstone jewelry also depends on your setting, not just the stone:

• 925 silver: may darken (natural oxidation). A special silver polishing cloth is sufficient for routine care. Avoid rubbing the stone with this cloth.
• Brass or copper: can oxidize quickly. The water + mild soap method works, but dry very well to avoid greening.
• Nylon wire or elastic (for pearl bracelets): avoid prolonged immersion, which weakens the wire. Clean pearls one by one with a damp cloth.
• Resin or glue: some DIY frames are not water-resistant. Check before immersing your creation.

Keeping natural stones sparkling over time: the right reflexes

The best care is often preventive:

• Put your jewelry on last when getting ready (after cream, perfume, hairspray).
• Wipe your jewelry after each wear with a soft cloth to remove perspiration and cosmetic residues.
• Store them away from light and moisture, ideally in a fabric pouch or compartmentalized box to avoid scratches.
• Give them a thorough cleaning once or twice a year, depending on how often you wear them.