How do I care for my tanzanite jewellery?

Gemstones take centuries to emerge from the earth. But some can be ruined with just a few hours of exposure to sunlight, perfume or water. Here’s how to care for your tanzanite jewellery.

What is tanzanite?

Tanzanite is a feldspar crystal, which means it’s in the same family as hematite and goethite. It’s often a beautiful shade of orange, gold, red or brown, with a slightly translucent sheen.

How hard is tanzanite?

The hardness of crystals and gemstones is ranked on what’s called a Mohs scale. A high rank on the Mohs scale means a gemstone or crystal is very hard. A low score means it is very soft, and could be damaged by light, scratches or water.

Tanzanite ranks between a 6 and 7 on the Mohs scale of hardness. That means tanzanite is hard but not impossible to scratch, and might be better worn as a necklace or earrings rather than as a ring. Tanzanite also has a property called cleavage, which means it can split if hit hard enough. This can lead to chips.

How do I care for my tanzanite jewellery?

With a moderate Mohs score, some care should be taken when you wear your tanzanite jewellery. Rings could chip or scratch; necklaces, like the tanzanite necklaces we handcraft at Cunningfolk, should be fine. The stone itself can also fade in direct sunlight, so keep it in a box when you aren’t wearing it. Tanzanite can be gently washed in warm, soapy water.

But you will want to be mindful of the fastings, which are the bits and pieces that make the stones a complete piece of jewellery. Cunningfolk tanzanite jewellery is strung on 100% real silk. To preserve the silk, set your tanzanite jewellery aside when you shower or go swimming.

Many pieces of tanzanite jewellery will also use gold filled, gold plated or gold vermeil clasps. These can tarnish, so try to avoid showering or swimming with your tanzanite jewellery on.

Tanzanite jewellery from Cunningfolk can be washed in warm, soapy water, then rinsed and hung to dry. Check our blog for incense blends and rituals to recharge the magical properties of your gemstones.