How To Care For Turquoise And Keep It Looking Good

By Author: L.A. Stein
Total Articles: 20
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Turquoise is a softer stone. It soaks up water, oils, and the chemicals in things like lotion or perfume more than harder gems do. That's just how it's built. Over time, that soaking in can dull the color or leave a hazy film on top.
This is why women's turquoise jewelry asks for a little more thought than, say, a plain gold band. Nothing scary, just a bit of care so the color stays bright for years instead of fading in a few months.

Everyday Habits That Protect Your Turquoise

A few small habits go a long way. Put your turquoise pendant on last, after your lotion, perfume, or hairspray, not before. Those products are one of the biggest reasons turquoise fades faster than it should.
Take off a turquoise necklace before you wash your hands, shower, or swim. One splash of water won't hurt it. Months of splashes will. The same goes for cooking or cleaning. If you get in the habit of removing it before anything wet or chemical touches your skin, you'll dodge most of the damage before it ever starts.

How to Clean Turquoise Jewelry Safely

Skip ...
... the ultrasonic cleaner. Skip soaking it, even for a minute. Turquoise jewelry for women just needs a soft, dry cloth after each wear, wiped gently to clear off dust or residue. That covers most of what it needs day to day.
If it needs a little more, use a barely damp cloth, then dry it right away with a separate soft one. Stay away from cleaning solutions made for gold or diamonds. Most are too harsh for a stone this porous. With turquoise, less really is more. A quick wipe after you take it off is usually all it takes.

The Right Way to Store Turquoise

Sunlight and heat fade turquoise over time, so keep your turquoise earrings and necklaces somewhere dark and dry. Not on a windowsill. Not anywhere that gets sun most of the day.
Store turquoise away from harder stones and metals. A soft pouch or a lined compartment in a jewelry box works well, since turquoise scratches more easily than you'd think. If you're packing a turquoise necklace for travel, wrap it on its own instead of tossing it in with everything else. One accidental scrape is all it takes to leave a mark.

Signs of Damage and What to Do About It

A little color change after years of wear is normal. Skin oils do that over time, and it's nothing to worry about.
What matters more is a crack, a sudden dullness that won't wipe off, or a chip in your turquoise pendant. Those usually mean something harsh got to the stone, whether that's a chemical, a hard bump, or too much time in water. If you spot any of these, take it to a jeweler instead of trying to fix it yourself. Home fixes on turquoise tend to make things worse, not better.

Conclusion

Turquoise doesn't ask for much. Keep it away from water and chemicals, wipe it clean gently, and store it somewhere safe, and it'll hold its color for years. Women's turquoise jewelry is made to be worn, not tucked away, so these habits are really just about making that easy.