I’ve made hundreds of gemstone bracelets over the last two years. It has come to my attention that a few folks have been frustrated with their bracelets falling apart. Remember, the whole ‘bracelet’ fad started with plastic letter beads that were fairly indestructible. There were other fads that had string, cord or leather bracelets that could handle 24/7 wear. The stone beads that I use are just that…stones and crystals! They have their own individual properties that influence how they should be cared for. Each stone has a Mohs Hardness Score that provides some guidance about how it should be treated. When I create a bracelet that has several different stones, I’ve complicated the issue of how to care for the bracelet.
The following information is a general guideline for most bracelets that have more than one kind of stone. I hope it helps you keep your bracelets looking great!
How to Care for Your Gemstone Bracelet
Stone bracelets can contain a wide variety of gemstones, each with unique properties and care requirements. Common stones used in bracelets may include tiger’s eye, lapis lazuli, malachite and lepidolite. Each type of stone has its own hardness and porosity which influences its care.
Avoid Water Exposure
While most quartz beads (clear, rose and smoky) can withstand daily wear in the shower, any stone with a Mohs hardness score of less than 4 or 5 may begin to lose its luster. The very soft stones like selenite and amber (Mohs Score of 2) will begin to dissolve over time. Since most bracelets have a mixture of stones, it’s wise to not wear your gemstone bracelets in the shower, the pool, the hot tub or the ocean. These bracelets are strung with an elastic cord that will also degrade over time with water exposure. If your bracelet gets dirty, gently clean it with a soft damp cloth to wipe the surface and dry with a lint-free cloth.
Cleanse Your Bracelets
Gemstones can absorb energies from the environment as they come in contact with other stones, objects or people. Because gemstones can absorb and store low-frequency energies, it helps to cleanse them frequently. Cleansing can be done with salt, smudging and moonlight. Using selenite is the easiest.
Selenite is a transparent, crystalline form of the mineral gypsum. It has a hardness score of 2 on the Mohs scale, which means it is soft enough to be scratched by a fingernail and dissolves in water. In crystal healing, selenite is revered for its high vibrational energy and spiritual cleansing abilities. It is used to clear negative energy from spaces, people, and other crystals. It is said to create a protective barrier against negative energies and psychic interference.
In general, you can easily cleanse your bracelets by placing them on a selenite plate or bowl overnight. These are available on Amazon and other rock shops on the internet. You can also place bracelets in a mesh bag with my Selenite Key Chain Accessory. My Key Chain Accessory is a small loop of Selenite beads that can be attached to a key chain or stored in a mesh bag. Your gemstone bracelets can be added to the bag overnight to cleanse them of any accumulated negative energies.
Recharge Your Bracelets
After your bracelet has been cleansed, recharge your bracelet with your intentions. Hold the bracelet in your hands and review the purpose of the bracelet. Refer to the intentions in the printout that came with the bracelet.
Storing Your Bracelets
When you are not wearing your bracelet, protect it from damage by storing it in a separate cloth bag, or arrange it so it will not be damaged by other jewelry. I like to see mine displayed, but I keep them separated from each other, away from direct sunlight.
Please email me directly if you have questions or comments. maryjkisner@gmail.com