Short answer: natural stones each need slightly different care. Turquoise and mother-of-pearl are soft and porous, so keep them away from water, oils, perfume and chemicals, and wipe them only with a soft, slightly damp cloth. Tiger eye and agate are harder and more durable, but still benefit from gentle cleaning and separate storage. Whatever the stone, never soak it, never use an ultrasonic cleaner, and dry it straight away.
Natural stones are what make many pieces special: no two have exactly the same colour or pattern. Here's how to keep them looking their best.
Stone care at a glance
| Stone | Approx. hardness (Mohs) | Porous? | Main care tip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Turquoise | 5–6 | Yes | Keep away from oils, perfume, water and heat. |
| Mother-of-pearl | 3–4 | Yes | Very soft: avoid scratches, acids and soaking. |
| Tiger eye | About 7 | No | Durable, but avoid knocks and harsh chemicals. |
| Agate | 6.5–7 | Slightly | Durable; avoid chemicals and long sun exposure. |
| Amazonite | 6–6.5 | Slightly | Can chip along natural planes: avoid knocks and heat. |
The Mohs scale measures scratch resistance from 1 (softest) to 10 (diamond). Lower numbers scratch more easily, including from dust, other jewellery and metal.
Turquoise
Turquoise is one of the most loved stones for summer jewellery, and also one of the most delicate. It's relatively soft and porous, so it can absorb oils, lotion, perfume and even sweat, which may gradually change or darken its colour.
- Put turquoise jewellery on last, after skincare and perfume have dried.
- Take it off before showering, swimming, exercising and cleaning.
- Wipe with a soft, slightly damp cloth, then dry straight away.
- Avoid prolonged direct sunlight and heat, which can dry the stone.
- Natural turquoise often shows dark veins called matrix. These are part of the stone's character, not damage.
Our Aegean Cross Earrings are set with natural turquoise, so every pair has its own tone and pattern.
Mother-of-pearl
Mother-of-pearl is the iridescent inner layer of a shell, the same material that forms pearls. It's beautiful but soft, so it scratches easily and can be dulled by acids, perfume and cleaning products.
- Store it separately so harder stones and metal can't scratch it.
- Wipe gently with a soft, slightly damp cloth; never soak it.
- Keep it away from vinegar, lemon juice and other acidic "natural" cleaners.
- Follow the same habits as for pearls. See how to clean pearls.
You'll find mother-of-pearl in pieces like the Ivory Eclipse Earrings and The Heart Within Necklace.
Tiger eye
Tiger eye is a form of quartz known for its golden, silky bands that seem to move in the light. It's one of the more durable stones you'll find in everyday jewellery.
- Clean with lukewarm water and a drop of mild soap on a soft cloth, then dry.
- Avoid hard knocks, which can chip the edges of the stone.
- Keep away from harsh chemicals that can dull the polish.
The Solis Tiger Eye Earrings frame natural tiger eye in a sunburst-inspired setting.
Agate
Agate is a durable, banded form of chalcedony, available in many colours from deep red to black. Many agates on the market are colour-enhanced, which is common and normal, but it means harsh chemicals and long sun exposure are best avoided to protect the colour.
- Wipe with a soft cloth and a little mild soapy water, then dry.
- Store away from direct sunlight.
- Avoid household cleaners, chlorine and perfume contact.
Amazonite
Amazonite's soft blue-green colour makes it a lovely everyday stone, but it has natural cleavage planes, which means a sharp knock can cause it to chip or crack.
- Take it off for sport, gardening and heavy work.
- Keep it away from heat and sudden temperature changes.
- Clean gently with a soft, slightly damp cloth.
Rules for every natural stone
- Never soak stone jewellery, especially porous stones and pieces with glued settings.
- Skip ultrasonic and steam cleaners, which can crack stones and loosen settings.
- Avoid viral cleaning hacks like baking soda, toothpaste or lemon juice. Read which hacks cause damage.
- Store pieces separately in a soft pouch or jewellery roll so they can't scratch each other.
- Wear stones last, take them off first: after skincare and perfume, and before water and exercise.
Shop the guide
Natural stone favourites
Aegean Cross EarringsA$49 · natural turquoiseShop now
Solis Tiger Eye EarringsA$49 · natural tiger eyeShop now
The Heart Within NecklaceA$99 · four stone optionsShop now
Ivory Eclipse EarringsA$49 · mother-of-pearlShop now
Free shipping and a complimentary Travel Jewellery Roll on orders over A$75.
Frequently asked questions
Can turquoise get wet?
A splash won't ruin it, but turquoise is porous, so regular contact with water, soap and oils can change its colour over time. Take it off before showering and swimming, and dry it straight away if it gets wet.
How do I clean mother-of-pearl jewellery?
Wipe it gently with a soft, slightly damp cloth and dry immediately. Don't soak it or use acidic or abrasive cleaners.
Is tiger eye durable enough to wear every day?
Yes. Tiger eye is one of the harder stones used in everyday jewellery. Avoid hard knocks and chemicals, and it will keep its polish for a long time.
For more ways to look after your pieces, visit our Jewellery Care Guide.