The Physics of Sparkle: A Realist’s Guide to Gemstone Hardness & Care
We talk a lot about the “clink” here at Bijoux Chat. That satisfying sound of silver settling against silver. It’s the soundtrack of a good stack.
But today, I want you to listen to that sound differently.
Every time your bracelets shift, there is an impact. Silver is metal; it’s tough. But that translucent, glowing Rose Quartz bead next to it? It might be losing the battle.
The most “beige” thing you can do as a collector is treat all your beads equally. They are not. Mixing soft, organic stones with hard, textured metal without thought isn’t “eclectic styling”—it’s slow-motion destruction.
Today, we’re putting on our lab coats. We are going to learn the physics of our jewelry box so you can mix materials with thoughtful abandon, knowing exactly which pieces can handle the daily grind and which ones need to stay in the velvet box for date night.
The Science of the Scratch
Geologists use something called the Mohs Hardness Scale to rank minerals from 1 (talc, super soft) to 10 (diamond, super hard).
Why should you care? Because a material with a higher number will always scratch a material with a lower number.
Sterling Silver is roughly a 2.5 to 3 on the scale. It’s actually quite soft. But many textured silver charms have edges that act like little saws against delicate stones.
If you are wearing soft beads (like Amber or Pearl) next to heavy silver every single day, they will eventually grow dull and scratched. We want your investments to last.
The Daily Drivers vs. The Prom Queens
As an Art Director, I categorize my wardrobe into “everyday tough” and “special occasion delicate.” You need to do the same with your beads.
I’ve created a visual guide based on common stones you’ll find in collections like Trollbeads. We’ve grouped them not by geological makeup, but by lifestyle wearability.
THE BIJOUX CHAT GEMSTONE HARDNESS GUIDE
- The “Softies” (Special Occasion): Amber, Pearls, Malachite, Turquoise. These are glorious, but they are the silks of your wardrobe. Do not wear them while gardening, typing all day on a metal laptop, or stacked tightly against spiky silver.
- The “Dailies” (Quartz Family): Amethyst, Rose Quartz, Onyx, Agate. These are the denim of the bead world. They are harder than silver and can take a fair amount of daily wear without losing their shine.
What Eventual Destruction Looks & Sounds Like
The Care & Feeding of Rocks
Knowing hardness is half the battle. The other half is cleaning.
The biggest mistake people make is dunking their entire bracelet—stones and all—into silver cleaning solution. Stop doing this.
Chemical dips can ruin the finish on porous stones like Turquoise and dissolve the nacre on Pearls.
Here is your new rule of thumb for cleaning:
Knowledge is Sparkle
This isn’t about being scared to wear your jewelry. It’s about confidence.
SEMIPRECIOUS CARE CHEAT SHEET
When you know your Amethyst can handle a busy Tuesday, but your Pearls need a gentle Sunday brunch, you build better stacks. You stop ruining your investments, and you ensure those beautiful, natural colors stay vibrant for years to come.
Stack smart, shine long.
