Turquoise Stone Bead Earrings

Your jewelry features a fascinating combination of turquoise and African turquoise beads, each with distinct properties requiring specific care to maintain their beauty and integrity. Genuine turquoise is a relatively soft, porous hydrous gemstone prized for its striking blue-green color. African turquoise, on the other hand, is a type of jasper, a more durable form of chalcedony, often dyed to enhance its resemblance to turquoise.

Cleaning
Gentle Cleaning for Both:
• The safest way to clean both turquoise and African turquoise beads is by gently wiping them with a soft, dry cloth or a soft, slightly damp cloth to remove dust, oils, or residues after each wear.
Mild Soap Solution (with extreme caution):
• A very diluted solution of mild, unscented soap and lukewarm water can be used for a deeper clean. Apply it with a soft cloth or brush, taking care around intricate settings or bead crevices.
Thorough Drying:
• Immediately pat the beads dry with a soft, lint-free cloth, ensuring no moisture remains. Turquoise is porous and can absorb liquids, potentially leading to discoloration. Prolonged exposure to water can cause African turquoise to soften and potentially disintegrate.
Avoid Harsh Chemicals:
• Harsh chemicals like bleach, ammonia, or commercial cleaning solutions can damage the coating on tiger's eye and the porous turquoise, potentially causing discoloration or etching. Turquoise can even dissolve slowly in hydrochloric acid. Never use these on your jewelry.
Avoid Ultrasonic and Steam Cleaners:
• Ultrasonic and steam cleaners are not recommended for either turquoise or African turquoise. The vibrations and heat can damage the stones and potentially affect the color treatment or dye.

Protecting and storing
Handle with Care:
• Turquoise has a hardness of 5-6 on the Mohs scale, while African turquoise (jasper) is 6-7. Handle your jewelry gently to prevent scratches, chips, and cracks.
Remove Before Activities:
• Always remove your jewelry before activities that could expose it to moisture, chemicals, or hard impacts, such as showering, swimming, cleaning, gardening, or exercising.
Avoid Chemicals:
• Apply lotions, perfumes, hairsprays, and other beauty products before putting on your jewelry to prevent discoloration or damage from chemicals and oils.
Avoid Extreme Temperatures and Direct Sunlight:
• Prolonged exposure to direct sunlight or high heat can cause fading or discoloration in turquoise. Store your jewelry in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight. Avoid exposing African turquoise to direct sunlight and store it at room temperature to prevent thermal shock and cracking.
Separate Storage:
• Store your turquoise jewelry separately in a soft pouch or a lined jewelry box to prevent scratching from harder gemstones or metals. Store turquoise in a dry place to avoid absorption of moisture, which can alter its color.

Regular Inspections:
• Periodically inspect your jewelry for any signs of wear, such as loose beads or a weakened setting or stringing, and address them promptly, potentially with professional help.

By following these care instructions, you can help ensure that your turquoise and African turquoise bead jewelry remains beautiful and vibrant for many years to come.