Jewellery Care Guide
Handmade gemstone bracelets need slightly different care from plain metal jewellery. This guide covers everything you need to know to keep your Small Season piece looking as it did the day it arrived.
The 5 Things That Damage Gemstone Bracelets
Avoid these and your bracelet will last for years:
- Chlorine — swimming pools and hot tubs will dull pearl lustre and can corrode sterling silver findings.
- Perfume, hairspray and lotion — apply these before you put your bracelet on, not after. Alcohol and oils cling to porous stones (especially lapis lazuli).
- Salt water — the sea will damage both pearls and elastic/silk cord over time.
- Direct sunlight for long periods — some stones (amethyst especially) fade in prolonged UV.
- Sudden temperature change — do not put a warm bracelet under cold water. Some gemstones can crack.
Cleaning by Material
Lapis Lazuli
Lapis is soft (Mohs 5–5.5) and porous. Do not use ultrasonic cleaners, steam, or chemical dips. Wipe gently with a soft dry cloth after each wear. For deeper cleaning, a barely-damp microfibre cloth is enough.
Quartz (Clear, Smoky, Rose)
Quartz is harder (Mohs 7) and easier to clean. A soft brush with mild soapy water works well. Rinse briefly and pat dry with a soft cloth.
Amethyst
Clean gently with mild soap and water. Keep amethyst out of direct sunlight when not being worn — prolonged UV exposure can lighten its colour.
Aquamarine
Mild soap, soft cloth, room-temperature water. Avoid heat and ultrasonic cleaners.
Freshwater Pearls
Pearls are calcium carbonate — acids, alcohols, and perfume are their enemies. Never submerge. After each wear, wipe with a soft slightly-damp cloth and let air dry before storing.
Sterling Silver Findings
A silver polishing cloth (available from any jeweller) restores shine. Do not use liquid silver dip on strung bracelets — it will damage the cord and any porous stones.
Weekly, Monthly, Yearly
- After each wear: wipe with a soft cloth.
- Monthly: gentle clean of the whole piece as above.
- Yearly: check the cord for stretched elastic or darkened silk.
How to Store
Store each bracelet separately in the jewellery box we include with every order, flat, in a dry drawer. Do not hang beaded bracelets long-term — gravity stretches the cord.
Signs Your Cord Needs Attention
- Elastic feels slack or stretches easily
- Silk cord is visibly darker between beads
- Beads have shifted position
If you notice any of these, email us at smllseason@gmail.com and we'll be happy to help.
On "Cleansing"
Some traditions hold that gemstones benefit from energetic "cleansing" — moonlight, running water, sound, sage smoke. Whether or not you follow these practices is entirely personal. From a materials standpoint, moonlight is harmless, but avoid running tap water on lapis lazuli or pearls, and never use salt water on any Small Season piece.