Tourmaline is one of the most common types of gemstones that come in an array of colors from green and pink to blue and red. Whether you have a tourmaline ring, pendant, bracelet or loose gemstone, taking care of your tourmaline is easy and can help you maintain its good condition and save from damage.

If you want to know how to clean tourmaline stones, then the easiest way to do this is to wash them in warm soapy water using a soft cloth or brush. According to the Gemological Institute of America (GIA) Tourmaline Care and Cleaning Guide, the safest way to clean your tourmaline is to use warm soapy water while ultrasonic and steam cleaners are not recommended.

This guide includes tips on how to clean tourmaline jewelry at home, what cleaning products to avoid, how to store your gemstone and how to take care of tourmaline.

How to Clean Tourmaline Safely at Home

Tourmaline usually has a Mohs scale hardness of 7 to 7.5, which makes it suitable for jewelry use provided it gets proper handling. Hardness does not make a gemstone invulnerable to chipping or fracture or sensitivity to temperature change.

For general care of tourmaline jewelry, hand washing is the best way to start. It will not cost you any jewelry cleaner or chemical product to get rid of regular dust, oils, and lotions on your gem.

Things You Need to Clean Your Tourmaline Jewelry

Prepare some items before you start:

• A small clean bowl

• Lukewarm water

• Some drops of liquid mild soap

• Soft lint-free or microfiber cloth

• Very soft brush, if necessary

• Separate clean water bowl for rinsing

Do not use any abrasives, strong detergents, or brushes. If your jewelry contains other gemstones, metalwork, glued pieces, or treated stones, have them checked at a jeweler's first.

Tourmaline Jewelry Cleaning Process Step by Step

Step 1: Test gemstones. It is very important to inspect your jewelry carefully prior to cleaning it. Pay attention to possible cracks, chips, loose prongs, or movement of the stone. In case if there are any defects mentioned above, avoid cleaning and consult a jeweler first.

Step 4: Get the right solution for washing your piece of jewelry. Add several drops of mild liquid soap to lukewarm water. Tourmaline may get cracked when in contact with high temperatures and temperature fluctuations.

Step 3: Start washing your piece. Dip a soft cloth into the solution and wash your stone and its setting with it. In case you have found some dirt underneath it, use a very soft toothbrush.

Step 4: Rinse thoroughly. Rinse off all traces of the soap solution with clean, lukewarm water from a bowl. Do not rinse gems or small jewelry items over an open sink, because there is always a possibility that you may lose them.

Step 5: Dry the jewelry. Pat the item dry with a lint-free cloth. Ensure that any remaining moisture present on the setting dries out before storage of the jewelry. Do not use a hair dryer or other source of direct heat for faster drying.

Most ordinary dirt can be cleaned easily by following these simple instructions without endangering the stone at all.

Cleaning Various Tourmaline Jewelry Pieces

The procedure to clean tourmaline gems is more or less the same for most colors. Still, depending on the state of the stone, its treatments, and the style of the jewelry, special precautions might be needed.

How to Clean Tourmaline Ring

As the ring comes into contact with the skin frequently, it might become coated with soap, lotion, dust, and residues. Use a soft cloth to wipe the gemstone and a soft brush if necessary.

Be very careful about the underside of the setting where the residues might gather. If the ring has delicate prongs or the gemstone moves when handled, do not continue the process and take it to a professional to have the setting checked.

How to Clean Tourmaline Pendant and Necklace

A tourmaline pendant might have accumulated skin oils and cosmetic residues from wearing it on the skin. It is recommended to wipe the gemstone and check the chain, clasp, and setting for damage.

In case the pendant has pearls, opals, glue elements, or any other delicate materials in addition to tourmaline, follow the care instructions for the most fragile element.

Steps for Cleaning Loose Tourmaline Gemstones

Cleaning loose tourmaline stones calls for additional caution since there is nothing like the jewelry setting that can protect the edges of the stone. When cleaning the stone using a soft cloth and mild soap water, it should be held over a padded surface or in a bowl.

A faceted gemstone should never be held tightly using metal tweezers when cleaning since the edges might chip when the stone falls. If you are choosing a gemstone for a future jewelry design, explore our natural loose tourmaline collection.

What Should You Avoid When Cleaning Tourmaline?

Which Procedures Must Be Noted To Avoid For Cleaning Tourmaline Jewelry? There are many ways of cleaning any jewelry, but the knowledge of which techniques can harm and destroy tourmaline gems and how to handle and maintain them properly must be considered one of the main aspects of care.

Avoid Ultrasonic Machines

Ultrasonic cleaners clean gems using vibrating sound waves. They are not recommended for tourmaline by the Gemological Institute of America. The process might be inappropriate for some tourmalines due to fractures and weak spots inside of the gems, as it might result in weakening of the setting. Do not rely on an ultrasonic cleaner, but only clean tourmaline in soap water and use a soft piece of fabric.

Avoid Steam Cleaners And Excessive Heat

A steam cleaner heats jewelry during a cleaning procedure. High temperature is also harmful for tourmaline. Temperature change from extreme cold to heat and vice versa is damaging for any mineral. Do not boil the gemstone, use steam or heat from hair dryers and other heating devices.

Avoid Toxic Chemicals or Abrasives

It is not necessary to use harsh chemicals or abrasive products for general tourmaline cleaning. Using such products may have negative effects on the jewelry mounting, affect other metals in the jewelry, or may leave scratches or residue on the stone.

Do not use toothpaste or baking soda for cleaning of the gemstone. Instead, use mild soap and warm water for regular dirt and oils.

Avoid Sharp Differences in Temperature

Tourmaline is sensitive to heat shock that causes the damage to the material due to sudden difference in temperature. Do not immerse your stone into water when it is hot or very cold. Allow your jewelry to cool down to room temperature before cleaning.

How to Care for Tourmaline Jewelry Every Day

1. Tourmaline jewelry care extends beyond just regular cleaning. Some basic steps can be taken to prevent scratching, ensure the setting remains intact, and keep the gemstone looking good between cleaning sessions.

2. Do not wear jewelry during activities that could potentially damage it. Remove tourmaline rings and bracelets before undertaking any kind of strenuous physical activity, including sport, because even though tourmaline is relatively hard, one strong blow can break it.

3. Put on jewelry after applying cosmetics. Perfumes, hairspray, sunblock, and various creams can leave traces on both gemstones and metal settings. Let these products settle before you put on your jewelry, and wipe it down carefully afterwards if needed.

4. Do not expose jewelry to excessive heat. Never place tourmaline jewelry next to heating devices, hot surfaces, or areas with temperature extremes. Do not expose the jewelry to excessive heat, especially if the treatment history of the stone is unknown.

5. Regularly check the setting of the jewelry. Look for any sign of looseness or wear on the prongs and clasps. Should you feel that the gemstone is moving around more than it should be, it’s time to remove the jewelry.

Tourmaline Gems – How to Store Them Properly

Proper storage will help avoid scratches, chips, and accidental contact with other jewelry items. It is not recommended to keep tourmalines loose in a box together with other gemstones and metals, which can scratch it. It is better to use separate soft pouches, compartments in a jewelry box, or a padded gemstone box. Store each item separately, especially if you have several gemstones of different hardness.

If you store loose tourmalines, use a compartment where stones will not touch each other. Do not keep them in wet or hot places. Do not put heavy jewelry on top of the gemstone pieces. This information will be helpful for keeping all types of tourmalines: green, pink, blue, red, watermelon, and others.

Does Tourmaline Require Professional Cleaning?

Ordinary dirt can be cleaned at home using mild soap and warm water. Professional cleaning and examination should be done if the gemstone is expensive, damaged, very dirty, or set in a complicated mounting. Consult a jeweler if you observe any cracks, chips, loose prongs, stubborn dirt, or a change in the appearance of the gemstone. Professional evaluation is particularly important if you are unsure if the stone has been treated and thus requires special cleaning. Never try to polish scratches or chip off a tourmaline at home. Polishing may change the shape of the gemstone and hence decrease its value.

Can Tourmaline Faded or Become Dull?

Tourmaline is usually stable in normal light and conditions, although excessive heat may harm it. There are certain tourmalines that have been irradiated and may lose their color due to heat or strong light, as per the care guidelines provided by GIA. A dull gemstone may have a layer of skin oil, lotion, or soap on its surface rather than the color fading from it. Cleaning the gemstone will help to restore its beauty.

If the color of the gemstone seems to have faded or it looks cloudy after cleaning, then do not attempt to restore it using harsh chemicals or heat. Consult a professional jeweler or gemologist.

Maintain the Beauty of Your Tourmaline Jewelry Properly

Cleaning of tourmaline jewelry does not need any difficult cleaning agents or special equipment at home. Use of mild soap, warm water, proper handling, and storage will be the basis of tourmaline jewelry care. Do not use ultrasonic or steam cleaning, protect your gemstone from excessive heat or rapid changes in temperatures, and check any loose settings or damages by a professional.

If you are looking for a gemstone for your next jewelry project, explore the Loose Tourmaline Collection at Gemstones Island or browse our natural loose gemstones for more options.

Frequently Asked Questions About Tourmaline Jewelry Care

How do you clean tourmaline at home?

Use lukewarm water, a few drops of mild liquid soap, and a soft cloth. Gently wipe the gemstone, rinse it in a bowl of clean water, and dry it with a lint-free cloth. Avoid high heat, steam cleaners, and ultrasonic cleaning.

Can tourmaline get wet?

Brief contact with lukewarm water during gentle cleaning is generally suitable for sound tourmaline. However, avoid hot water and sudden temperature changes, and take extra care with damaged stones, unknown treatments, or jewelry containing other delicate materials.

Can you use an ultrasonic cleaner on tourmaline?

Ultrasonic cleaners are not recommended for tourmaline by GIA. Gentle hand cleaning with mild soapy water is the preferred method for routine care.

Can you clean tourmaline with vinegar or alcohol?

These products are not necessary for routine tourmaline cleaning. Use mild soap and lukewarm water instead, especially when the gemstone's treatment history or the materials in its setting are unknown.

How often should tourmaline jewelry be cleaned?

Clean your jewelry when you notice visible residue, dullness from oils, or a buildup of dirt. The frequency depends on how often you wear it and the activities you do while wearing it. Gentle wiping after wear can help reduce buildup between deeper cleanings.

Is tourmaline durable enough for everyday jewelry?

Tourmaline has a Mohs hardness of approximately 7 to 7.5 and can be suitable for everyday jewelry when handled carefully. However, it can still chip or fracture from hard impacts, so protective settings, careful wear, and regular inspections are important.

How should loose tourmaline be stored?

Store loose tourmaline in a separate padded compartment or soft pouch to prevent it from rubbing against other gemstones. Keep it away from hard surfaces and avoid storing multiple loose stones together where they can scratch or chip one another.