Last Updated: September 2026
Why Gemstone Care Isn't One-Size-Fits-All
Caring for the 925 sterling silver in your jewelry is only half the story. Every natural gemstone has its own hardness, structure, and sensitivities — which means the safest way to clean, wear, and store a piece can change depending on which stone is set into it.
A method that's perfectly safe for one gemstone can dull or damage another. This guide walks through the specific care considerations for each natural gemstone in the Praise Jewels collection, plus the general rules that apply no matter which stone you're wearing.
For care of the sterling silver itself — tarnish, polishing, and general cleaning — see our complete silver care guide . This guide focuses specifically on the gemstones.
Caring for Amethyst
Amethyst is a variety of quartz, which makes it a reasonably hard and durable everyday gemstone. Its main sensitivity is light, not impact.
What to Watch For
- Prolonged, intense sunlight can gradually fade amethyst's purple color over time. This isn't a concern for normal wear, but it's worth avoiding leaving amethyst jewelry on a sunny windowsill for weeks at a time.
- Sudden temperature changes (like a hot shower right after a cold day outside) are best avoided with any gemstone, amethyst included.
How to Clean It
Warm water, a small amount of mild soap, and a soft brush are usually all amethyst needs. Dry it with a soft cloth before putting it away.
Caring for Blue Topaz
Shop the Blue Topaz Skylight Stud Earrings →
Blue topaz is a hard, durable gemstone well-suited to everyday jewelry, but it has one structural quirk worth knowing about.
What to Watch For
- Sharp, direct knocks should be avoided. Topaz has a cleavage plane, meaning a hard, well-placed impact (rather than general wear) can occasionally cause it to chip along that plane.
- Extreme, sudden heat is best avoided, as very high heat can affect topaz's color over time.
How to Clean It
Warm water with mild soap and a soft brush works well. Avoid ultrasonic cleaners for topaz, since the vibration can put stress on the stone's cleavage plane.
Caring for Black Onyx
Shop the Black Onyx Pendant Necklace →
Black onyx is a variety of chalcedony, a form of quartz with a slightly more porous structure than a clear crystal like amethyst or topaz.
What to Watch For
- Lotions, perfumes, and oils can be absorbed into onyx's surface more readily than into harder, non-porous gemstones. Putting on perfume and lotion before your jewelry, not after, helps keep the stone's surface looking its best.
- Harsh chemicals like chlorine or household cleaners should be avoided, as they can affect the stone's finish over time.
How to Clean It
Wipe black onyx with a soft, slightly damp cloth rather than soaking it. If it needs more than a wipe, a very brief rinse in lukewarm water followed by immediate drying is the safer approach.
Caring for Smoky Quartz
Shop the Smoky Quartz Chain Drop Earrings →
Like amethyst, smoky quartz is part of the quartz family and shares a similar durability profile — hard enough for regular wear, with light being its main long-term consideration.
What to Watch For
- Extended heat and strong sunlight exposure can gradually lighten smoky quartz's brown-gray tone over very long periods. Normal, everyday wear isn't a concern.
- Household chemicals, as with any gemstone, are best avoided.
How to Clean It
Warm water, mild soap, and a soft brush are sufficient. Dry thoroughly with a soft cloth afterward.
Caring for Peridot
Peridot is a beautiful, vivid green gemstone, but it's the most sensitive stone in this guide and benefits from a little extra care.
What to Watch For
- Sudden temperature changes can cause peridot to crack or fracture more readily than harder stones like quartz or topaz — take it off before a hot shower, sauna, or swimming in cold water on a hot day.
- Acids and household chemicals, including some perfumes and cleaning products, can etch peridot's surface. Put it on last, after perfume and lotion.
- Ultrasonic and steam cleaners are not recommended for peridot.
How to Clean It
Warm (not hot) water, a small amount of mild soap, and a very soft brush. Avoid soaking peridot for extended periods, and dry it promptly.
General Rules That Apply to Every Gemstone
| Rule | Why It Matters |
|---|---|
| Put jewelry on last, take it off first | Perfume, lotion, and hairspray are the most common causes of gemstone dulling over time |
| Remove jewelry before swimming, showering, or exercising | Chlorine, sudden temperature shifts, and sweat can affect gemstones and sterling silver alike |
| Dry pieces fully before storing | Moisture trapped against a gemstone or its setting can dull its surface over time |
| Avoid ultrasonic cleaners unless you know the specific gemstone can handle them | Several gemstones, including topaz and peridot, are more sensitive to vibration than diamonds or sapphires |
| Store pieces separately | Gemstones and metal settings can scratch each other when jewelry is piled together |
How to Store Gemstone Jewelry
How you store your jewelry between wears matters almost as much as how you clean it.
Keep Pieces Separated
Store each piece in its own compartment, pouch, or lined slot rather than letting pieces touch in a single drawer or bowl. Gemstones can scratch softer metals, and settings can snag on chains.
Keep Jewelry Out of Direct Sunlight
Since several gemstones in this guide (amethyst and smoky quartz especially) can fade with prolonged sun exposure, store jewelry in a drawer or closed box rather than somewhere it catches direct light all day.
Keep It Dry
A cool, dry place is best. Bathroom humidity, in particular, isn't an ideal storage environment for jewelry over the long term.
Frequently Asked Questions About Gemstone Jewelry Care
Can I wear amethyst jewelry every day?
Yes. Amethyst is durable enough for everyday wear. Just avoid leaving it in direct, intense sunlight for extended periods, since prolonged exposure can gradually fade its color.
Is blue topaz safe to clean in an ultrasonic cleaner?
It's not recommended. Topaz has a cleavage plane that can be stressed by the vibration of ultrasonic cleaning. Warm water, mild soap, and a soft brush are safer.
Why does my black onyx look dull?
Onyx is somewhat porous and can absorb oils from lotion, perfume, or skin contact over time. Wiping it with a soft, slightly damp cloth after wear can help maintain its finish.
Does smoky quartz fade in sunlight?
Extended, intense sun exposure can gradually lighten smoky quartz's tone over a long period, similar to amethyst. Normal daily wear isn't a concern.
Is peridot a durable everyday gemstone?
Peridot can be worn daily, but it's more sensitive to sudden temperature changes and acids/chemicals than the other gemstones in this guide. Taking it off before showering, swimming, or applying perfume helps it last.
Can I clean all my gemstone jewelry the same way?
Warm water, mild soap, and a soft brush are safe for most of the gemstones in this guide, but peridot and blue topaz have specific sensitivities (chemicals and ultrasonic cleaning, respectively) worth knowing about.
How often should I clean gemstone jewelry?
There's no fixed schedule — clean a piece when it looks dull or after it's been exposed to lotion, perfume, or sweat. Over-cleaning isn't necessary for pieces worn only occasionally.
Shop Natural Gemstone Jewelry at Praise Jewels
Every gemstone at Praise Jewels is natural and set in solid 925 sterling silver — handcrafted in Jaipur to last well beyond a single season. Knowing how to care for your specific stone helps keep it looking as vivid as the day it arrived.