Material Care
Natural materials are part of what makes body jewelry so unique. Variations in color, pattern, inclusions, texture, and structure are normal characteristics of stone, wood, horn, bone, and other natural materials. With proper care, your jewelry can remain beautiful for many years.
Stone Jewelry
Stone jewelry should be handled with care. Although many stones are quite hard, they can still chip, crack, or break when dropped onto a hard surface. Stones with natural inclusions or internal fractures can be especially vulnerable to impact, heat, and sudden temperature changes.
We suggest wearing stone jewelry only in fully healed piercings. Stone and other natural materials should not be used to perform a fresh stretch.
For routine cleaning, gently wipe your jewelry with a clean, soft cloth. When appropriate for the particular stone, a small amount of mild soap and lukewarm water may be used. Avoid prolonged soaking, harsh chemicals, bleach, alcohol, and abrasive cleaners.
A Note About Opals
Opals require a little extra care.
Most opals are naturally porous and can absorb liquids. Exposure to water, skin oils, lotions, hair products, soaps, and other liquids may temporarily alter the color, transparency, or overall appearance of the stone. As the opal dries, its appearance may gradually return to normal.
Opals also contain water naturally within their structure. Excessive heat, very dry conditions, intense light, or sudden temperature changes can contribute to crazing — the development of fine fractures within the stone — and in some cases may cause cracking.
Avoid soaking opals and keep them away from excessive heat, prolonged direct sunlight, and sudden temperature changes.
Never steam clean or autoclave opal jewelry.
Heat, Steam & Autoclave Warning
We do not recommend steam cleaning or autoclaving jewelry containing delicate or heat-sensitive natural stones.
This includes, but is not limited to:
- Opal
- Amber
- Moonstone
- Tourmaline
- Emerald
- Labradorite
- Lapis Lazuli
- Fluorite
Heat, steam, pressure, and rapid temperature changes can damage certain stones, alter their appearance, worsen existing inclusions or fractures, or cause them to crack.
This is especially important with naturally included stones. Materials such as Black Tourmaline commonly contain natural internal fractures and inclusions. Even when completely stable during normal wear, these natural characteristics can create points of weakness when the stone is subjected to heat, pressure, ultrasonic vibration, or sudden temperature changes.
When in doubt, do not steam clean, ultrasonically clean, or autoclave natural stone jewelry. Gentle cleaning by hand is the safest choice for most pieces.
Wood, Horn, Bone & Mammoth
Wood, horn, bone, Mammoth, and other organic materials require special care and should be worn only in fully healed piercings.
Do not wear this jewelry while showering or swimming, and avoid getting it wet whenever possible. Moisture can cause natural materials to swell, warp, or develop a rough surface. It may also contribute to cracking or breakage. Mammoth is particularly sensitive to changes in moisture and can crack or, in severe cases, completely break.
Avoid leaving these materials in extremely hot or cold environments. A hot car, prolonged direct sunlight, or exposure to excessive heat or cold can cause drying, warping, cracking, or breakage.
If your wood jewelry begins to look or feel excessively dry over time, it can be conditioned with a very small amount of jojoba oil. Only a tiny amount is necessary. Lightly rub the oil over the wood and remove any excess before wearing the jewelry again. The goal is to condition the material, not saturate it.
Please also take care not to drop wood, horn, bone, or Mammoth jewelry. Although these materials can hold up beautifully during normal wear, they are still natural materials and may chip, crack, or break when dropped onto a hard surface.
Variations in grain, color, texture, and pattern are natural characteristics of these materials and are part of what makes each piece unique.
Amber
Amber is an organic gem material and is softer and more sensitive than most stone.
Keep amber away from high heat, steam, harsh chemicals, alcohol, perfumes, hairspray, and cleaning solutions. Do not steam clean, ultrasonically clean, or autoclave amber jewelry.
Clean gently with a soft cloth and handle carefully to prevent scratching, chipping, or breakage.
Brass & Sterling Silver
Brass and sterling silver naturally oxidize and tarnish over time. This is normal and is not a defect in the jewelry.
A jewelry polishing cloth can be used to restore the finish when needed. Avoid harsh or abrasive cleaners, particularly on jewelry containing stones, inlays, patinas, or other decorative finishes.
Brass and even silver may not be suitable for extended wear for everyone. Individual sensitivities to metals can vary, so please listen to your body. If a piece of jewelry causes persistent redness, itching, swelling, or irritation, discontinue wearing it.
14k and 18k Gold
Gold jewelry can be cleaned gently with a soft cloth. For pieces containing gemstones, the cleaning method should always be appropriate for the stone, not simply the metal surrounding it.
Do not assume that a piece is safe for ultrasonic, steam, or professional machine cleaning simply because it is made from gold. Gemstones, natural inclusions, settings, and other components may require more delicate care.
A Few Simple Rules
Handle natural materials with care, avoid unnecessary exposure to moisture, chemicals, and extreme temperatures, and never force jewelry into a piercing.
Natural stone and organic jewelry should be worn in fully healed piercings and should not be used to perform a fresh stretch or piercing.
If you're unsure how to care for a particular piece of Oracle Body Jewelry, please contact us before cleaning it. We're always happy to help you determine the safest method for your jewelry.