Most gemstone jewellery lasts for years if you treat it kindly, and a few simple habits do most of the work. Stones aren't all alike, though. Some are tough and some are soft, and the cord, wire or clasp holding them matters as much as the stone.
This is how we look after our own pieces.
The basic rules
- Put jewellery on last. After perfume, hairspray, lotion and makeup. Many of those products can dull stones and pearls.
- Take it off first. Before you wash up, swim, exercise or clean.
- Wipe it after wearing. A soft dry cloth takes off skin oils and sweat.
- Store it apart. Keep pieces in a soft pouch or a lined box, not tossed together, so harder stones don't scratch softer ones and strands don't tangle.
Water and sweat
Most of our pieces are best kept dry. Water won't ruin a stone like jade, but it can weaken cord and silk, loosen glue and tarnish metal over time. Soap and hot water are harder on porous stones and natural seeds.
If a piece gets wet, pat it dry with a cloth and let it air dry flat before putting it away.
Some stones need more care
Porous and soft materials are the ones to watch. These are the usual rules from jewellers and gem guides.
- Turquoise, coral and amber are softer and can be dulled by perfume, lotions, sweat and cleaners. Wipe with a soft dry cloth and keep them away from chemicals. Our Turquoise Wire Choker has turquoise, amber and coral together, so it's worth being gentle with.
- Pearls, both freshwater and glass, are best put on last and taken off first. Perfume and hairspray can mar the surface, and sweat can dull the lustre. Our Pearl & Crystal Statement Choker mixes freshwater and glass pearls, so the same rule covers both.
- Hematite and other dense stones can be brittle and may chip if dropped on a hard floor. Our Hematite & Chalcedony Lariat Necklace has hematite seed beads, so lay it down gently.
- Seeds and wood, like the rudraksha in our Rudraksha & Lava Mala, can crack if they dry out or get soaked. Wipe, don't wash.
- Lava stone is porous too. It takes in oils and scents, which is why people use it with essential oils, and it can also stain. Keep it away from lotions if you want it to stay clean.
Turquoise Wire Choker$360 CAD
Pearl & Crystal Statement Choker$299 CAD
Hematite & Chalcedony Lariat Necklace$98 CAD
Rudraksha & Lava Mala$69 CAD
Multi-Colour Gemstone & Pearl Twist Necklace$210 CAD
Cleaning
Start with a soft, dry cloth. For a bit more, dampen the cloth with plain water, wipe the stones, and dry straight away. Don't soak, and don't use ultrasonic cleaners or steam on beaded or glued pieces. Skip harsh cleaners and anything with ammonia or bleach.
If a piece looks dull or grubby and a cloth doesn't help, send us a photo and ask. We'd rather help than have you try something that makes it worse.
Cords, wire and clasps
The part that usually fails first is the string, not the stone. Look for stretched cord, fraying, or beads that have started to shift. Check the clasp now and then. Wire-worked pieces like our chokers can be shaped gently with your fingers, but don't bend them back and forth.
Storing and travelling
Hang necklaces or lay them flat. A tangled strand is a stressed strand. For travel, use a small pouch for each piece, and put bracelets in a separate pocket from necklaces so the cord doesn't catch.
When to restring
If beads move more than they used to, if you see fraying, or if the piece is a few years old and worn often, it's probably time. We offer repair and restringing. See our repairs page for how it works.
Find a piece you'll want to look after
Every piece is one of a kind. See all of them on our jewellery page. If you're also looking after crochet, our crochet care guide covers that.
Gemstone jewellery by Ellie
Every piece is one of a kind, strung and wired by hand in Markham, Ontario.
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