• Agate

  Agate is relatively durable and hard. Since it is harder than most materials, caring for agate is relatively hassle-free.

• Amber

  The only safe way to clean amber is with warm, soapy water. Be sure to use a mild soap.

• Amethyst

  Amethyst is relatively durable and hard. Since it is harder than most materials, caring for amethyst is relatively hassle-free.

• Ametrine

  Ametrine is relatively durable and hard. Since it is harder than most materials, caring for agate is relatively hassle-free.

• Amazonite

  Ultrasonic cleaners can not only cause and exacerbate fractures in gemstones, they can loosen jewelry and cause gems to fall out of their settings. Steam cleaners should not be used to clean amazonite because the color can fade in high temperatures. Clean your amazonite using a soft cloth and only mild soap or detergent if needed and never use bleach or harsh chemicals.

• Apatite

  Apatite is a soft gemstone so extra care is needed when wearing, cleaning and storing. Apatite is sensitive to acids and high heat, so just clean the gemstones in warm soapy water. Store them separately from other gemstones, wrapped in soft cloth or placed in fabric lined boxes.

• Aquamarine

  Aquamarines are just like Emeralds (also a variety of Beryl), so they can break or fracture if hit too hard. Always be cautious not to strike the edge of the stone too hard, you could shatter or chip it.

• Azurite

  Ultrasonic or steam cleaning is not recommended. Cleaning with a soft dry cloth is best; a commercially available jeweller’s polishing cloth containing rouge is OK, but afterward it should be rinsed with clean water and dried with a soft cloth

• Axinite

  Axinite is relatively durable and hard. Since it is harder than most materials, caring for axinite is relatively hassle-free. However, due to axinite's pyro- and piezoelectric properties, it has a habit of collecting dust more than most other gems and needs to be wiped down frequently.

• Aventurine

  Aventurine can be easily cleaned with warm soapy water and a soft cloth or brush. It is a porus stone so if it looks too dry or cracked, just deep in coconut oil for 12 hours.

• Bloodstone

  Bloodstone is relatively durable and hard. Since it is harder than most materials, caring for Bloodstone is relatively hassle-free.

• Blue Topaz

  Blue topaz is relatively durable and hard. Since it is harder than most materials, caring for Blue topaz is relatively hassle-free.

• Brandy citrine

  Brandy citrine is relatively durable and hard. Since it is harder than most materials, caring for Brandy citrine is relatively hassle-free.

• Bronzonite

  Bronzoite is relatively durable and hard. Since it is harder than most materials, caring for Bronzite is relatively hassle-free.

• Carnelian

  Carnelian is relatively durable and hard. Since it is harder than most materials, caring for Carnelian is relatively hassle-free.

• Chalcedony

  Chalcedony is relatively durable and hard. Since it is harder than most materials, caring for Chalcedony is relatively hassle-free.

• Charoite

  Charoite can be cleaned very easily using warm soapy water and a soft brush.

• Chreoberyl cats eye

  Chrysoberyl cats’ eye is relatively durable and hard. Since it is harder than most materials, caring for it is relatively hassle-free.

• Chrysocolla

  Chrysocolla is especially sensitive to acids and solvents as well as high heat so clean them gently with a soft brush in luke warm soapy water and dry with a cloth.

• Chrysoprase

  Chrysoprase can be cleaned using warm soapy water and a soft cloth. It should always be kept away from harsh household chemicals and prolonged exposure to direct sunlight.

• Fossil Coral

  It can be easily cleaned using warm, soapy water and a soft cloth. Be sure to rinse well to remove any soapy residue.

• Coral Red

  Red coral may lose their colour when it exposed directly to sunlight. Because red corals are very soft, so it must be cleaned with a soft cloth, then rinsed with warm or soapy water. Red coral in jewelry must be stored in the soft fabric pouch.

• Diopside

  proper care should be taken when this stone is used in jewelry as it is a bit soft and easily prone to cracks and damages. Please do not use ultrasonic cleaners and harsh soaps.

• Diamond

  Diamond is harder than most materials, caring for Diamond is relatively hassle-free.

• Emerald

  Emeralds require special care as they are relatively soft gemstone. After washing put them in coconut oil for 12 hours, it will increase the life of it.

• Enstatite

  Enstatite is relatively durable and hard. Since it is harder than most materials, caring for Enstatite is relatively hassle-free.

• Epidote

  Use soapy water and a soft cloth. Be sure to rinse well to remove soapy residue. As with most gemstones, ultrasonic cleaners and steamers are not recommended.

• Flourite

  Flourite require special care as they are relatively soft gemstone. We have to take care while setting it as they are soft stones

• Garnet

  Use warm soapy water and a soft brush, Avoid exposing your gemstone to extreme heat. Do not use steam or ultrasonic treatments for cleaning your garnet jewellery.

• Golden citrine

  Golden citrine is relatively durable and hard. Since it is harder than most materials, caring for Golden citrine is relatively hassle-free.

• Goldstone blue

  Goldstone is relatively hard stone and do not require special care.

• Gunmetal_Hematite

  Gunmetal is hard gemstone and do not require special care.

• Heliodor

  Heliodor do not require special care as they are relatively hard stones.

• Hemimorphite

  Please take special care as Hemimorphite is relatively soft stone.

• Howlite

  Howlite can be cleaned by simply use soapy water and a soft cloth. Be sure to rinse well to remove soapy residue.

• Imperial Topaz

  Imperial topaz is relatively durable and hard. Since it is harder than most materials, caring for Imperial topaz is relatively hassle-free.

• Iolite

  Iolite can be cleaned with mild soap or dishwashing detergent and warm water.

• Iolite_susnstone

  It can be cleaned with mild soap or dishwashing detergent and warm water. If you feel it is looking dull, just put it in the coconut oil for 12 hours.

• Jasper

  Jaspercan be cleaned with mild soap or dishwashing detergent and warm water.

• Jade

  Jade can be cleaned with mild soap or dishwashing detergent and warm water.

• Kornerupine cat's eye

  kornerupine cat's eye can be cleaned with mild soap or dishwashing detergent and warm water.

• Kunzite

  Avoid steam or ultrasound for cleaning kunzite: Warm, soapy water works best. Kunzite might be irradiated and then heated to enhance its color. The color of irradiated, heated kunzite can fade with exposure to heat and light, just as it does in naturally colored .

• Kyanite

  kyanite has perfect cleavage that can cause the stone to split with a single hard knock. For cleaning kyanite gemstones, use only water and a mild soap. Wipe stones with a soft cloth and rinse well to remove soapy residue.

• Labradorite

  Labradorite is relatively hard gemstones and does not require special care. It can be washed by mild soap and water.

• Lapis

  Lapis can be washed with soapy water, It is the safest way to clean lapis lazuli. Please do not use warm water.

• Larimar

  You have to take special care though it's a relatively hard material, it tends to fracture, chip, flake and break. Once a week or from time to time, wash your Larimar gemstone with clean fresh water and a few drops of mild soap and with a soft brush clean the dirt from the silver setting, rinse and dry with a soft cloth. The Larimar stone might turn slightly bluer due to water absorption.

• Lemon citrine

  Lemon citrine is relatively durable and hard. Since it is harder than most materials, caring for Lemon citrine is relatively hassle-free.

• Malachite

  Malachite do not require special care, simply use soapy water and a soft cloth.

• Mookaite

  It does not require any special care. it can be washed with soap and water.

• Moonstone

  Moonstone does not require any special care. it can be washed with soap and water.

• Morganite

  Morganite requires minimal special care due to its hardness and durability. Warm soapy water with gentle scrubbing and a soft cloth to clean is the safest way to clean a Morganite. Be sure to rinse all the soapy residue. Avoid contact of this gemstone with any harsh chemicals.

• Moss Agate

  Moss agate is relatively hard stone and does not require any special care. It can be washed with soap and water.

• Obsidian

  To clean your obsidian, simply use soapy water and a soft cloth. Obsidian can be easily scratched by harder substances, so it should be stored carefully.

• Onyx

  You can use a little water to moisten the cloth and make the cleaning easier. Don't wet the stone or soak it in water, however, as onyx is porous and absorbs liquids easily.

• Opal

  You have to clean them using warm soapy water and a soft brush. Please avoid ultrasonic cleaners and chemical cleaners. Some rare types of opals, like Tintenbar Opals, should be kept in water to avoid cracking. You should avoid wearing Opal Jewellery in areas that have a harsh environment.

• Pearl

  Pearls should never be cleaned in an ultrasonic or steam cleaner. It's best to wipe pearls with a very soft, clean cloth

• Mother of Pearl

  A soft cloth will clean light dirt from mother of pearl jewellery without scratching the beautiful and fragile surface. You can use warm, soapy water and a soft brush if your jewellery seems dirty.

• Peridot

  Peridot should never be cleaned with a steam cleaner or an ultrasonic cleaning machine. Peridot can be cleaned with most any commercial jewellery cleaner or plain soap and water using a soft brush.

• Pink Quartz

  Cleaning with ultrasonic and steam cleaners should be avoided. Please do not use any harsh chemicals, and make sure you get all the soapy residue off (rinse thoroughly). When polishing the setting, stick with a jeweller’s polishing cloth.

• Prehnite

  Prehnite is hard stone, but is softer than many other gemstones, such as quartz, sapphire and spinel. It is also brittle and exhibits good cleavage, so care should be taken when setting and cutting it. Avoid the use of any harsh chemicals or cleaners .Like most colored stones, it is best to avoid ultrasonic cleaners and heat steamers. You can wipe down your stones down using a plain soft cloth and warm soapy water.

• Pyrite

  Rinse them in running water. Then neutralize them in a mixture of water and baking soda or ammonia. They will be a beautiful, shiny, silvery colour.

• Quartz Banded

  Quartz can be cleaned easily with a mild detergent, water and a soft cloth or paper towel, then rinse and dry thoroughly. Abrasive cleansers or harsh scouring pads and cleansers that contain bleach should not be used.

• Beer Quartz

  Quartz can be cleaned easily with a mild detergent, water and a soft cloth or paper towel, then rinse and dry thoroughly. Abrasive cleansers or harsh scouring pads and cleansers that contain bleach should not be used.

• Quartz cats eye

  Quartz cats’ eye is relative hard and do not require any special care. Avoid the use of bleach and other harsh household cleaners and be sure to rinse your stones well to ensure all soapy residues are removed.

• Solar Quartz

  Solar quartz is fairly hard so it can be cleaned with an ultrasonic cleaner or use water and a soft cloth.

• Strawberry Quartz

  Strawberry quartz is relatively hard stone and do not require special care.

• White Quartz

  Quartz can be cleaned easily with a mild detergent, water and a soft cloth or paper towel, then rinse and dry thoroughly. Abrasive cleansers or harsh scouring pads and cleansers that contain bleach should not be used.

• Rhodocrosite

  Please avoid contact with other harder gemstones or materials that could potentially scratch or cleave the gem when it is not worn. Rhodochrosite is a fairly soft gemstone, so it should be cared. The best way to clean rhodochrosite gemstones is by using soapy water and a soft cloth.

• Rose Quartz

  Warm, soapy water is always a safe method for cleaning rose quartz. Cleaning with ultrasonic and steam cleaners should be avoided. Please do not use any harsh chemicals, and make sure you get all the soapy residue off (rinse thoroughly). When polishing the setting, stick with a jeweller’s polishing cloth.

• Ruby

  Ruby jewellery is best cleaned with warm, soapy water and a tightly woven microfiber or other soft cloth. Do not use ultrasonic or steam cleaners on fractured or Gl. filled gemstones.

• Ruby with Matrix

  Ruby with matrix is relatively hard gemstone and can be cleaned with soapy water.

• Rutilated quartz

  It can be cleaned by a warm, damp cloth and jewellery cleaning solutions should usually be avoided. Automatic jewellery cleaning systems such as sonic cleaners should also be avoided.

• Sapphire

  Warm, soapy water is always safe. Ultrasonic and steam cleaners are usually safe for untreated, heat-treated, and lattice diffusion treated stones. Fracture-filled, cavity-filled, or dyed material should only be cleaned with a damp cloth. Untreated and even heat-treated sapphire is very durable.

• Green Sapphire

  Green Sapphires are easy to care for at home. Sapphires can be cleaned at home with warm water and soap. Ultrasonic and steam cleaners are usually safe for untreated, heat-treated, and lattice diffusion treated stones. Fracture-filled, cavity-filled, or dyed material should only be cleaned with a damp cloth. Untreated and even heat-treated sapphire is very durable.

• Yellow Sapphire

  Yellow Sapphire can be cleaned with a soft-bristled brush or a cloth with plain or soapy water. Avoid exposure to hairspray, perfume, and chlorine, that can dull gemstones. Ultrasonic and steam cleaners are usually safe for untreated, heat-treated, and lattice diffusion treated stones. Fracture-filled, cavity-filled, or dyed material should only be cleaned with a damp cloth. Untreated and even heat-treated sapphire is very durable.

• Orange sapphire

  Orange Sapphire can be cleaned with a soft-bristled brush or a cloth with plain or soapy water. Avoid exposure to hairspray, perfume, and chlorine, that can dull gemstones. Ultrasonic and steam cleaners are usually safe for untreated, heat-treated, and lattice diffusion treated stones. Fracture-filled, cavity-filled, or dyed material should only be cleaned with a damp cloth. Untreated and even heat-treated sapphire is very durable.

• Pink Sapphire

  Pink Sapphire can be cleaned with a soft-bristled brush or a cloth with plain or soapy water. Avoid exposure to hairspray, perfume, and chlorine, that can dull gemstones. Ultrasonic and steam cleaners are usually safe for untreated, heat-treated, and lattice diffusion treated stones. Fracture-filled, cavity-filled, or dyed material should only be cleaned with a damp cloth. Untreated and even heat-treated sapphire is very durable.

• White Sapphire

  White Sapphire can be cleaned with a soft-bristled brush or a cloth with plain or soapy water. Avoid exposure to hairspray, perfume, and chlorine, that can dull gemstones. Ultrasonic and steam cleaners are usually safe for untreated, heat-treated, and lattice diffusion treated stones. Fracture-filled, cavity-filled, or dyed material should only be cleaned with a damp cloth. Untreated and even heat-treated sapphire is very durable.

• Scapolite

  The best way to clean scapolite gemstones is by using soapy water and a soft cloth. Please do not use ultrasonic cleaners and steamers.

• Seraphinite

  Seraphinite is sensitive to heat, pressure and chemicals, so clean seraphinite with a soft cloth and lukewarm water.

• Serpentine

  Serpentine is soft and fragile compared to most jewellery gemstones. It is susceptible to acid, so harsh chemicals and cleaners should be avoided. Use a soft cloth and warm water to clean.

• Silliminite

  It is best not to use harsh chemicals or cleaners, such as bleach or ammonia. It is best to avoid ultrasonic cleaners and steamers as they can damage the colour, or even cause the stone to fracture.

• Smoky Quartz

  As smoky quartz is relatively hard gemstone, it does not require special care. It can be washed with mild soap.

• Sodalite

  Sodalite can be cleaned using warm, soapy water, but some dyed materials may not be stable. For dyed or impregnated stones, it's best to test a small area first to ensure stability. Wipe down stones using only a soft cloth and be sure to rinse well to remove any soapy residue.

• Spectrolite

  No harsh methods should be used to clean the stone. Only cold running water is enough to rinse the dirt away. More intrusive methods can affect the quality of the stone, making it weaker.

• Sphene

  Sphene lacks hardness, so it should be cared for in order to prevent damage. The best way to clean sphene gemstones is by using soapy water and a soft cloth. Be sure to rinse well to remove soapy residue. Do not expose sphene to household chemicals, acid or excessive heat. As with most gemstones, ultrasonic cleaners and steamers are not recommended.

• Spinel

  Avoid exposure to intense heat as light-coloured stones may fade. Spinel jewellery is best cleaned with warm, mild soapy water and a tightly woven microfiber or other soft cloth.

• Star Garnet

  Garnet jewellery is best cleaned with warm, mild soapy water and a tightly woven microfiber or other soft cloth. Avoid steam cleaning.

• Star Ruby

  Special care is not needed. If you feel stone looks dry, you can keep it in coconut oil for 12 hours and the shine will be back

• Star Sapphire

  It is best to use warm soapy water and a soft cloth. As with most gemstones, avoid ultrasonic cleaners and steamers, especially with fracture-filled star sapphire; vibrations and heat can damage stones.

• Sugilite

  The best way to clean sugilite gemstones is by using mild soapy water and a soft cloth. Make it sure to rinse well to remove soapy residue if any.

• Sunstone

  Do not use any harsh chemicals or cleaners to clean your gems. Avoid using ultrasonic cleaners or steamers. Simply use a mild soap and a soft cloth to clean your gemstones. If any cracks are opened, just keep it in coconut oil for 24 hrs.

• Tanzanite

  For cleaning tanzanite jewellery soak it for 20-30 minutes in warm soapy water. After that use a clean and soft cloth to gently rub around the stone and dry off excess water.

• Tiger eye

  Cleaning should only do using only warm water and a mild soap or detergent. Avoid harsh chemicals and cleaners such as bleach, ammonia or sulfuric acid.

• Tourmaline

  Tourmaline can be cleaned with mild soap water

• Tourquoise

  Keep turquoise away from high heat and chemicals such as oils, perfumes, and household cleaners. Even stabilized turquoise can be affected by a constant bombardment of chemicals. Clean your turquoise in warm, sudsy water and dry it immediately with a soft cloth.

• Unakite

  Unakite is not a porous stone, but it can be sensitive to chemical cleaners due to its composite makeup. Avoid using ultrasonic and steam cleaning, as unakite can cleave under impact and heat can change this stone's colors. A soft cloth or brush with mild soap and warm water are ideal. Rinse off all cleaners, then pat dry with a soft cotton cloth.

• Vesuvianite

  The best method for cleaning vesuvianite is to use warm water and mild soap. A soft bristle brush or cloth can be used to remove body oils and other grim from the surface. Avoid using ultrasonic cleaners or steamers as well as harsh chemicals. Exposure to rapid temperature changes or extended direct heat can create unwanted color changes in vesuvianite.

• White Topaz

  White topaz is relatively durable and hard, caring for white topaz is relatively hassle-free.

• Zircon

  Zircon is stable when exposed to chemicals. Warm, soapy water is recommended for cleaning zircon. Ultrasonic and steam cleaners are not recommended for cleaning this gem. Zircon is commonly heat-treated to produce blue and colourless varieties.

Mohs' Scale

Mohs' scale of hardness was developed by Friedrich Mohs (1773-1839) and measures the hardness of "rock" on a scale of 1 to 10. The scale is not a linear scale, but somewhat arbitrary, and is based on ten minerals that were common or readily available at the time.

1=talc, 2=gypsum, 3=calcite, 4=fluorite, 5=apatite, 6=orthoclase, 7=quartz, 8=topaz, 9=corundum, 10=diamond.

Number 10 on the scale (diamond) is 140 times harder then number 9 (corundum), whereas 4 (fluorite) is only 1.11 times harder than 3 (calcite). A proportional measurement, called absolute hardness, was more recently devised, but is only used by scientists who need accurate results. The Mohs scale, although flawed, still satisfies all mineral collectors. Hardness is defined by how well a substance will resist scratching by another substance. For example, if mineral A scratches mineral B, and mineral B does not scratch mineral A, then mineral A is harder than mineral B. If mineral A and B both scratch each other, then their hardness is equal or very similar.

We have included some everyday materials to give a clearer idea of hardness.

2.5 Fingernail, 2.53 Gold, Silver, 3 Copper penny, 4-4.5 Platinum,
4-5 Iron, 5.5 Knife blade, 6-7 Glass, 6.5 Iron pyrite, 7+ Hardened steel