Gemstone Care

Durability varies by stone, so gemstones need gentler, more careful handling than metal alone.

Essential Care Tips

Proper Storage

Store gemstone pieces separately and soft-lined, so stones can't scratch each other or the settings that hold them.

Regular Cleaning

Warm water, a drop of mild soap, and a soft brush is safe for most stones. Skip ultrasonic and steam cleaners for heat-sensitive, filled, porous, or organic gems.

Avoid Damage

Avoid harsh chemicals and sudden temperature changes. Even hard, tough stones can chip from a hard knock, so handle every piece gently.

Durability Varies by Stone

Hardness and toughness aren't the same thing, and both differ from gem to gem. Softer or more fragile stones, such as opal, pearl, emerald, and turquoise, need gentler handling than hard, tough stones like sapphire.

What to Avoid

  • Harsh chemicals, including chlorine, bleach, and strong perfumes
  • Ultrasonic or steam cleaners on heat-sensitive, fracture- or oil-filled, porous, or organic stones
  • Sudden temperature changes, which can crack heat-sensitive stones
  • Hard knocks: even durable stones like sapphire and diamond can chip on impact

Prevention Tips

  • Store each gemstone piece separately, soft-lined, so it can't scratch other stones or settings
  • Clean gently with warm water, mild soap, and a soft brush for most stones
  • When in doubt about a specific stone, check before using anything beyond warm water

Care by Stone

Notes on the stones you will most often find in our pieces.

Sapphire

Mohs 9

One of the hardest and toughest stones, so it holds up to daily wear. Warm water, mild soap, and a soft brush are enough. Untreated sapphire takes ultrasonic cleaning well, but avoid it on fracture- or glass-filled stones. Store it apart, since it will scratch softer gems.

Diamond

Mohs 10

The hardest gem, and forgiving to wear. Warm soapy water and a soft brush restore the sparkle that skin oils dull. It can still chip on a sharp knock to a facet edge, so handle it with some care, and keep clarity-enhanced or fracture-filled stones away from ultrasonic and steam.

Tourmaline

Mohs 7–7.5

Hard enough for regular wear, but more brittle and heat-sensitive than sapphire or diamond. Clean it with warm soapy water and a soft brush, and skip ultrasonic, steam, and sudden temperature changes. It attracts dust as it warms on the skin, so wipe it now and then.

Want to know more?

This page covers the essentials. For the full durability and care reference, stone by stone, see JewlArray's own in-depth gemmology reference.

Read the full guide on gemmology.dev →

Need Professional Help?

If a piece needs repair or a professional clean, get in touch. I am happy to help.

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