How To Clean Turquoise Jewelry

We believe jewelry is meant to be worn, loved, and lived in, not tucked away for special occasions only. Especially turquoise! It’s a stone with spirit and history, and when you wear it often, it becomes part of you.

At Legendary Patania Jewelry, our pieces are crafted to last for generations, but a little care goes a long way in ensuring they do. The good news? Most of it takes just a few seconds, or at most a minute out of your day.

Here are our favorite tips to keep your silver and turquoise looking their best for years to come.

Keep It Simple, Keep It Safe

Before you head out for a hike or dive into household chores, just slip off your jewelry. Natural stones, such as turquoise and coral, are delicate.

Avoid:

• Showering or swimming with your jewelry on

• Exercising or sweating heavily while wearing it

• Contact with lotions, perfumes, sunscreen, or harsh cleaning products

  
  

Even something as simple as applying moisturizer can dull your turquoise slowly over time. Just remember: jewelry goes on after you’ve finished getting ready.

Polish With Intention

Sterling silver naturally darkens over time; it’s part of its charm. We love the soft patina that builds up, telling the story of how and where a piece has been worn. But if you prefer a brighter look, a quick polish now and then will do the trick.

Keep a polishing cloth nearby and gently wipe your pieces every month or so. In more humid climates, you may need to do it more frequently.

Store It With Love

When you’re not wearing your jewelry, treat it like the treasure it is;

• Store pieces separately to avoid scratches

• Avoid contact with leather, which can cause tarnishing

• Use a soft pouch or a lined jewelry box to protect from moisture and dust

  
  

This small effort makes a significant difference in how your jewelry ages and helps prevent the heartbreak of scratches or unexpected tarnish.

Step by step instructions for how to clean your turquoise jewelry at home.

For silver jewelry with turquoise or other stones (excluding coral), you will need to following supplies:

Clear Ammonia (found at most drug stores)

One medium/ large bowl of water

One toothbrush

Two small towels

One polishing cloth (we use Avon brand but any brand will work just fine)

The simple setup for deep cleaning your jewelry at home.

Step one: Mix warm water with a small amount of sudsy ammonia; we recommend a 1:10 ratio, or a 1-2 capful in a large mixing bowl of water.

Adding ammonia to the bowl of water, I used two capfuls today.

Step two: Soak your piece for up to 5 minutes.

Note: The water may appear with a gray tone and do not soak silver for more than 10 minutes.

Step Three: Rinse thoroughly with clean water.

Rinse off the ammonia solution as it can be irritating to skin.

Step Four: Pat dry with a soft towel, followed by a polishing cloth.

Step Five: Wear and enjoy your sparkling clean jewelry!

Good as new!

Important: Coral is more delicate. Don’t soak it. Instead, use a soft, damp toothbrush (no ammonia) to clean gently, then rinse lightly and dry with care.

Don't Forget To Wear It Often

Here’s our favorite care tip: wear your jewelry! Turquoise responds beautifully to the warmth of your skin. Pieces that are worn regularly stay cleaner, age more gracefully, and form a deeper connection with you. Don’t wait for a special occasion, just put it on and enjoy it.

Final Thoughts;

Our jewelry is built to last, so don’t stress. If you forget and wear it in the shower a few times or put on sunscreen while wearing your favorite piece, it’s not the end of the world! These are simply best practices to help your jewelry maintain its best appearance over time.

At the end of the day, your jewelry is meant to be enjoyed. It’s here to brighten your life, not weigh it down with rules. So wear it often, care for it when you can, and let the compliments roll in... Those never get old.

If your piece ever needs a little extra love, we’re always here to help with professional cleaning and repair.