Tandon Gems

Care and durability.

Which stones take daily wear, how to clean them, and how to store strands.

A close-up of white and peach moonstone bead strands with soft sheen.Care and durability

Can moonstone go in water, the shower or an ultrasonic cleaner

Plain water is fine for moonstone beads, but pools and ultrasonic cleaners are not. Moonstone is Mohs 6 to 6.5 with cleavage, so internal layers can split from shocks or heat change. To clean: rinse with lukewarm water, use a tiny drop of mild soap and a soft brush or cloth, then rinse, pat dry and air dry flat.

September 5, 2026 · Anish Tandon
Close-up of mixed sapphire bead strands in assorted shapes.Care and durability

Which gemstone beads are hard enough for an everyday bracelet

Use Mohs 7 as the everyday-bracelet line because household dust contains quartz around 7. For daily wear, we recommend sapphire, black spinel, red Mozambique garnet, and amethyst beads. Black onyx sits on the line and needs a gentle finish. Labradorite, lapis, pyrite, turquoise, Ethiopian opal, pearls, and kyanite are better as careful or occasional bracelets.

September 5, 2026 · Anish Tandon
A strand of gray labradorite beads showing blue labradorescence.Care and durability

Can labradorite go in water

Yes, brief contact with water is fine, and you can wear labradorite daily. It's Mohs 6-6.5, but perfect cleavage means knocks can crack it, and perfume or pool chlorine can dull the surface. Rinse off splashes, pat dry, and let strands air-dry before storing. Clean with warm soapy water only; skip ultrasonic and steam.

September 5, 2026 · Anish Tandon
Close-up of faceted gemstone pear and rondelle beads on a soft bead mat.Care and durability

Prevent edge chipping on diamond-cut rondelles and faceted pears

Handle on a soft mat, keep strands tied until the moment you string, and stage beads on low-tack tape or in lidded trays so facets never rub. Add tiny spacer beads or knots to separate rondelles, and use gentle wraps, caps, and wire guards for pears. Store coiled with tissue between layers. Clean with warm soapy water and a soft brush only.

October 3, 2025 · Anish Tandon