Turquoise is a soft, porous stone, so protect it by keeping it away from water, perfume, lotion, household chemicals, and prolonged sunlight, all of which can discolor or dry it. Clean it only with a soft, dry or barely damp cloth, never an ultrasonic cleaner, and put jewelry on last when dressing.
Begin by understanding the stone. Most turquoise is relatively soft and naturally porous, which means it can absorb liquids and oils and, over time, change color or dry out. Even stabilized turquoise, hardened with resin, deserves gentle handling. Treating turquoise more like a delicate organic gem than a hard, durable one is the whole secret to keeping it bright.
Keep it away from chemicals and water. Perfume, hairspray, lotion, sunscreen, household cleaners, and chlorinated or salt water can all stain or dull turquoise, so put jewelry on last when dressing and take it off before swimming, showering, exercising, or cleaning. The oils from frequent handling can darken a stone as well.
Clean it the gentle way. Wipe turquoise with a soft, dry or barely damp cloth and dry it immediately; never soak it, and never use a commercial jewelry dip or an ultrasonic cleaner, both of which can ruin a porous stone and loosen it in its bezel. The silver around the stone can be polished separately with a silver cloth, kept away from the turquoise itself.
Store and wear it mindfully. Keep turquoise out of direct sunlight and away from heat, which can fade and dry it, and store pieces separately so harder stones do not scratch them. Worn thoughtfully, turquoise can deepen and patina beautifully over a lifetime rather than degrade.
These habits protect both the beauty of the stone and its value over time. For storage specifics and silver care, see our full care notes; and to understand what makes fine turquoise worth protecting, read why turquoise jewelry is so prized.