I make gemstone jewelry for a living, so I've spent a lot of time considering how to keep it looking its best. I use a selenite rod for short-term storage, though sometimes pieces stay there longer. Occasionally, I use a bowl for convenience. Consider this an honest version, not the ideal one.
Here’s what actually matters for keeping your gemstone jewelry looking like the day you got it.
Store your pieces lying flat, not hanging
This one surprises people. The intuitive choice is to hang necklaces so they don’t tangle, but hanging puts consistent downward tension on the cord or wire over time, which can stretch it. The better option is to store pieces lying flat, ideally in a soft pouch or in individual compartments so they don’t touch. If you don’t have a pouch or a jewelry box with dividers, a resealable plastic bag or even a clean, soft sock can work in a pinch—just make sure each piece has its own soft layer.
Stone-on-stone contact is the other thing to watch. Gemstones have different hardness levels, and a harder stone can scratch a softer one just from sitting together in a drawer. Keeping pieces separate protects both the stones and any metal elements.
If you ordered from Auréád Designs, the drawstring pouch that came with your piece is exactly right for this. One piece per pouch, laid flat in a drawer or jewelry box, is the ideal setup.
Put it on last
Lotion, perfume, and hairspray are the quiet dullers of gemstone jewelry. They leave a film on stones over time that’s hard to see building up and harder to fully reverse. The fix is simple: get fully ready first, then put on your jewelry. It takes about ten seconds to build the habit and makes a real difference over months of wear.
Take it off first
Water and gemstone jewelry have a complicated relationship. Some stones, such as quartz, jade, and diamonds, are generally safe when exposed to moisture occasionally. Others—particularly pearls, opals, turquoise, lapis lazuli, and any porous materials—can absorb water, affecting their appearance or structure over time. Silk cord weakens with repeated exposure to moisture, and chlorine is hard on both stones and metal findings. A good rule of thumb is to treat any softer or opaque stone with extra care around water.
The easiest rule is to take your jewelry off before swimming, showering, doing dishes, or working out. It’s also worth avoiding prolonged exposure to sweat on your most-loved pieces.
Clean gently
For most gemstone pieces, a soft dry cloth is all you need for regular maintenance. If a piece needs a little more attention, a slightly damp cloth works well for stones that can handle it. For harder, nonporous stones like quartz, jade, or diamond, you can occasionally use a mild soap-and-water solution—just be sure to rinse thoroughly and dry completely.
Avoid soap and water for porous or delicate stones like pearls, opals, turquoise, or lapis lazuli, as well as for any strung or knotted pieces. What you want to avoid is ultrasonic cleaners, harsh jewelry dips, and anything with chemicals. These are especially risky for strung or knotted pieces and for pearls, which are among the most sensitive stones to aggressive cleaning.
Every Auréád Designs order includes a soft cloth specifically for this. A quick, gentle wipe after wearing is the simplest way to extend a piece’s life.
A note on restringing
If you own one of our silk-knotted necklaces, restringing is a normal part of the piece's long-term care, not a sign that something went wrong. Silk cord stretches and softens over time with wear, which is part of what makes it feel so good against your skin.
As a general rule, I’ve heard that silk-knotted pieces should be restrung every couple of years, or whenever you notice the knots loosening or the piece sitting differently than it used to. Knowing that restringing is a service, not a catastrophe, takes a lot of pressure off daily care decisions.
The honest version
Good jewelry care doesn’t have to be complicated. Store pieces flat and separate, put them on last, take them off first, and clean gently when needed. That’s really it. The pieces I’ve seen hold up the longest aren’t the ones that were treated like museum objects. They’re the ones that were worn regularly, cared for simply, and loved.
That’s exactly what Auréád Designs is built for: jewelry that sits between heirloom and everyday, made to actually be worn.
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