Gemstone Care

General guidance only. Check the Encyclopedia entry for your stone, as properties vary.

Hardness and wear

Hardness (Mohs scale) describes resistance to scratching. Toughness describes resistance to breaking, and some hard stones can still chip or cleave. Diamond, sapphire and ruby suit daily wear; softer or more fragile stones such as opal, turquoise and emerald suit more careful use.

Cleaning

• Warm water, mild soap and a soft brush suit most hard, untreated stones.
• Avoid ultrasonic and steam cleaners for fractured, filled, oiled or porous stones.
• Avoid harsh chemicals and prolonged soaking.

Storage and light

Store stones separately so harder ones do not scratch softer ones. Some stones can fade with prolonged strong light or heat. If unsure, ask us before cleaning.