As with any other fine jewelry, exercise care in protecting your investment and your selection of authentic Indian jewelry will bring you enjoyment for years to come.
Turquoise. Turquoise is a porous stone. In even the hardest turquoise, deposits collecting in the pores of the stone can cause a color change. Therefore, care should be taken to protect the stones from oils, grease and chemicals. Always remove rings and bracelets before washing dishes or doing dirty work. Hand lotion can change the color of a stone. In addition, it is wise to avoid the use of chemical silver polishes with Indian jewelry that includes stones or has intentionally oxidized areas as part of its design.
Other Stones & Settings. The same care should also be taken with other stones (including coral, spiny oyster, etc) in Native American jewelry, as liquids can affect the setting and cause stones to loosen.
Coral. Coral should never be subjected to liquid cleaning solvents or extreme heat — it can turn white.
Polishing & Cleaning. You will want to polish your jewelry using a soft jeweler’s cloth (found in hardware stores or jewelry stores). When not in use, storing in a zip lock bag can help delay tarnishing. Silver tarnishes less with frequent wearing.
