To ensure lifetimes of pleasure from your stones bear the following in mind…

• Manual work and chores undertaken when wearing your gemstone jewellery (especially rings) make it more likely that you will damage or loose them. Activities such as gardening, cleaning, sports, partying, or clubbing threaten your stones with impact – causing breakage.
• Stones kept in pockets or bags with coins, keys, pocket-knives, etc may be damaged – and they can easily fall out and break.
• Detergents, harsh chemicals, or dyes, colourings, varnishes, or paints can be harmful to stones. Chlorine or ammonia (in swimming pools or household cleaners) are corrosive to many stones. Porous stones will absorb harmful substances which may ruin them.
• Stones left in direct sunlight can become very hot and some stones alter with too much heat or light.
• Stones kept in bags or pockets, especially when rough or with sharp edges, will damage other softer items they come into contact with. Keep stones away from: 
• Sunglasses and spectacles
• Loose jewellery, which will be easily scratched
• Wallets, if they are made of a nice material that you don’t want scratched
• Important papers and photographs
• Pill and tablet foil strips, as well as condom wrappers and anything else in soft packaging
• Homeopathic medicines and other healing essences, as their effect can be influenced by stones
• Clean stones with water and a drop of mild detergent, followed by a rinse and buff with a soft cloth.
• Cleanse stones if you feel the need. They always look and feel better after this!