How do I care for my sapphire 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 — or simply everyday wear. Here’s how to care for your sapphire jewellery.

What is sapphire?

Sapphire is a gemstone which has been prized for its beauty for centuries. Though the blue shades are most famous, sapphires can come in a whole prism of shades — from pink to yellow to blue-black, each with their own energetic vibrations. You can find beautiful jewellery in a variety of sapphire shades.

How hard is sapphire?

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.

Sapphire scores a 9 on the Mohs scale of hardness. That means sapphire is very hard — rubies also score a 9, while only diamonds score a 10. While you should always care for your gem jewellery, sapphires are very unlikely to be scratched or chipped with day-to-day wear, which is why they’re often chosen as components in engagement rings and other jewellery for everyday wear.

How do I care for my sapphire jewellery?

With a very high Mohs score, your sapphire jewellery is not prone to cracking or shattering. Still, sapphires are very valuable gemstones. So treat them with care and always keep an eye on them when you’re out in public.

Sapphire jewellery is very happy to be cleansed in water. All gemstones are somewhat susceptible to fading if exposed to bright sunlight, so don’t leave your sapphire gem jewellery in bright, direct sunlight for many hours.

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

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

Sapphire jewellery from Cunningfolk can be washed quickly in warm, soapy water, then rinsed and dried with a cloth. Hang to dry completely in a dim place. Check our blog for incense blends and rituals to recharge the magical properties of your gemstones.