Giving Your Gems Some TLC: A Gentle Guide to Cleaning and Care

Hey there! Most of our lovely gemstones and beads are pretty tough and can handle everyday life, but just like anything precious, some might need a little extra TLC (Tender Loving Care). So, it's always a good idea to get to know your beads a bit before you give them a clean!

For most of your gems, a simple wipe-down with a clean, damp cloth should do the trick. Easy peasy!

Now, here's a little heads-up: please don't soak your beads, whether it's just in water or with any cleaning stuff added. This can actually cause damage. Some of our softer, more porous friends like pearls, turquoise, and howlite really don't like being soaked, so it's best to keep them dry.

If you have lava or black matte stones, they usually have a wax coating. Washing them will wash that wax away, and they'll need to be re-waxed to keep them looking their best.

Also, some other beads, like Apache Jasper and Coffee Bean Jasper, are a bit softer and often have a protective layer. So, harsh washing or soaking might remove that layer, and we want to avoid that!

Sunshine is great, but not so much for your beads! Please store them away from direct sunlight. Over time, even naturally beautiful colors like those in Rose Quartz, Amethyst, Citrine, Smoky Quartz, and Fluorite can fade if they're left in the sun for too long. Mother of Pearl needs extra special attention – not only can strong sunlight harm it, but extreme heat or very dry air can also cause the surface to dry out and crack.

And definitely no heat, ultrasonic cleaners, chemicals, acids, steam cleaning, or strong detergents (especially anything with ammonia!) for cleaning your beads. Also, keep them away from things like perfume, hairspray, and nail polish remover.

For our delicate pearls, they only ever need a gentle wipe with a soft, dry cloth. If they happen to get a little mark, you can carefully use a slightly damp cloth, but that's it!