Written by @diamondsindubai
Whether you’ve finally decided to take the plunge to buy your first (or fifth) Van Cleef & Arpels Alhambra jewelry, it can be easy to forget that these beautiful pieces can tarnish or get damaged without proper aftercare. The best way to keep your jewelry in its best form is knowing how to maintain each stone. Luckily, we’ve composed a guide on each stone so your VCA jewelry can maintain its luster and shine over the years!
Photo credit: @diamondsindubai
Mohs Hardness Scale
Let’s start with our favorite chart – the Mohs Hardness Scale – which identifies the relative hardness and scratch-resistance of minerals and stones. The scale features an “increasing hardness” rank with 1 being the “softest” (talc) and 10 being the “hardest” (diamonds).
Image Credit: GeologyPage.com
So where does your beloved Alhambra stone fall on Moh’s Hardness Scale? We’ve taken the liberty of adding in your favorite VCA stones to this chart, with Mother of Pearl being the most sensitive to Carnelian being the least sensitive.
Image Credit: GeologyPage.com, Edited by @DiamondsinDubai (VCA stones)
Mother of Pearl 2.5 – 4.0 on Mohs Hardness Scale
Van Cleef & Arpels’ most popular and iconic stone is the Mother of Pearl (MoP). As seen in the scale above, MoP is the softest stone to own. It scratches easily, especially when stacked with other jewelry and watches. We advise you not to stack MoP with other jewelry to avoid scratches on this delicate stone.
Image Credit: @DiamondsinDubai
Since MoP shines best while reflecting the sun, scratches can become increasingly visible over time. We also advise you to avoid exposing your MoP to the following activities or chemicals to maintain its luster and shine, in addition, to prevent it from degrading or shrinking.
- Do NOT shower with your MoP on
- Do NOT expose it to soaps, cleaning supplies, perfumes, or makeup
- Do NOT swim with MoP on
Image Credit: Carousell.com
Although delicate, Mother of Pearl is a great stone to own because you can wear it every day! It might seem unusual, but the more MoP is worn, the better. Believe it or not, your MoP’s life is extended just by being worn! Your skin’s natural oils maintain the stone’s shine and robustness. To clean your MoP jewelry, you can wipe dust, grime, or fingerprints away with a microfiber cloth or soft towel.
MoP can turn yellow over time, which is normal and can happen to any pearl, regardless of quality. The main reason that pearl turns yellow is due to storing the stone in a dry place that lacks moisture and consistent air circulation– so wear your MoP’s often! Store your MoP jewelry in a soft cloth or a fabric jewelry box. My personal rating for owning the stone – 8/10.
Malachite 3.0 – 4.0 on Mohs Hardness Scale
One of the most beautiful and popular stones used by VCA is Malachite. Unfortunately, it is very soft and brittle – making it extremely sensitive to scratches from other jewelry and watches. We advise you not to stack malachite with other jewelry if you’d like to avoid scratches and cracks on this delicate stone.
Image Credit: Pinterest
Malachite also is porous, so you will ruin your stone if you expose it to water and humidity. In addition, it also is sensitive to heat and acids. Malachite can begin to break down and oxidize from natural oils the body produces.
We also advise avoiding exposing your malachite to the following activities and chemicals to maintain its shine, in addition, to prevent it from degrading or shrinking.
- Do NOT shower with your malachite on
- Do NOT expose it to soaps, cleaning supplies, moisturizers, perfumes, or makeup
- Do NOT swim with malachite on
- Do NOT expose it to sweat
- Do NOT drop it because it can crack
- Do NOT sleep with malachite on
Image Credit: @alizey
Malachite is almost as sensitive as a fingernail, so it can easily break if you drop it or hit it on a hard surface. Van Cleef & Arpels can replace the stone if you break it or damage it for a fee. Replacing one Vintage sized stone is around $350 USD, replacing one in the Magic size is $400 USD. The best way to clean your malachite pieces is through wiping dust, grime, or fingerprints away with a microfiber cloth or soft towel. To ensure the longevity of your malachite pieces, store them in a soft cloth or a fabric jewelry box. My personal rating for owning the stone – 5/10.
Lapis Lazuli 5.0 – 5.5 on Mohs Hardness Scale
Not frequently produced by VCA but prized for its celestial blue colouring and gold-looking flecks, Lapis Lazuli might range at a 5.0 – 5.5 on Mohs Hardness Scale, but it is quite sensitive. We don’t recommend stacking this stone with other jewelry or watches either. Unnecessary pressure on this stone can cause it to chip and break. It can also break from dropping it on the floor or hitting a hard surface.
Image Credit: @victory_guseva.passage
Like malachite, lapis lazuli is porous, so you will ruin your stone if you expose it to water and humidity. In addition, exposing it to sunlight and heat can discolour your stone. We also advise avoiding exposing your lapis lazuli to the following activities and chemicals to maintain its colour and shine, in addition to prevent it from degrading or shrinking.
- Do NOT shower with your lapis lazuli on
- Do NOT expose it to soaps, cleaning supplies, moisturizers, perfumes, or makeup
- Do NOT swim with lapis lazuli on
- Do NOT expose it to sweat
- Do NOT sleep with lapis lazuli on
Image Credit: VO+ Magazine
Without appropriate cleaning, storage, and care, lapis lazuli can lose its distinctive blue. You can wipe dust, grime, or fingerprints away with a microfiber cloth or soft towel. To ensure the longevity of your lapis lazuli pieces, store them in a soft cloth or a fabric jewelry box. When storing lapis lazuli in a jewelry box, make use of the silica gel packets as it will keep your lapis lazuli moisture-free. I personally do not own this stone, so I am unable to rate my experience.
Turquoise 5.0 – 6.0 on Mohs Hardness Scale
Van Cleef & Arpels sadly has discontinued this stone in the Alhambra collection, so you won’t see turquoise often. Even though turquoise ranks at a 6.0 – 7.0, it is also very sensitive. We don’t recommend stacking this stone with other jewelry and watches either. Keep your turquoise stones away from water, high heat, chemicals, and especially oils/moisturizers. Grease and oil can cause it to rust and eventually change the colour of natural turquoise by seeping into its pores.
Image Credit: @victoria_perlee
We also advise avoiding exposing your turquoise the following activities and chemicals to maintain its shine, in addition, to prevent it from degrading or shrinking.
- Do NOT shower with your turquoise on
- Do NOT expose it to soaps, oils, cleaning supplies, moisturizers, perfumes, or makeup
- Do NOT swim with turquoise on
- Do NOT expose it to sweat
- Do NOT sleep with turquoise on
- Avoid sun exposure
Image Credit: @styledbyshishi
Like lapis lazuli, turquoise requires appropriate cleaning, storage, and care. You can wipe dust, grime, or fingerprints away with a microfiber cloth or soft towel. To ensure the longevity of your turquoise pieces, store them in a soft cloth or a fabric jewelry box. I personally do not own this stone, so I am unable to rate my experience.
Rhodonite 5.5 – 6.0 on Mohs Hardness Scale
Behold Van Cleef & Arpels’ latest choice for this year’s Holiday Pendant! Rhodonite is a fairly soft stone, ranking between 5.5 to 6.5 on the Mohs Hardness Scale. Rhodonite is sensitive enough to be scratched by objects harder than it. Rhodonite is prone to breakage, especially from hard blows or from dropping it on the floor. Since rhodonite can be scratched, so we recommend storing it separately from your other jewelry. Also, do not expose rhodonite to sudden changes in temperature.
VCA Holiday Pendant 2021 @pinkblondebrunette
We also advise avoiding exposing your rhodonite the following activities and chemicals to maintain its shine, in addition to prevent it from degrading or shrinking.
- Avoid showering with your rhodonite on
- Do NOT expose it to cleaning supplies, moisturizers, perfumes, or makeup
- Do NOT swim with rhodonite on
Image Credit: @pursebop
When cleaning rhodonite, do not use ultrasonic or steam cleaners as these can cause the stone to fracture. Instead, rinse your rhodonite stone with warm water and dry it off with a soft cloth. Once washed, rinse thoroughly and dry. Store your rhodonite jewelry in fabric-lined box or soft pouch separately. I personally do not own this stone, so I am unable to rate my experience.
Chalcedony 6.5 – 7.0 on Mohs Hardness Scale
The only stone produced by VCA that comes exclusively in white gold – chalcedony. It is moderately scratch-resistant. Chalcedony is resistant to chipping and breaking, so this is a great stone to own if you’re looking for a daily piece of jewelry. Since chalcedony belongs to the quartz group of minerals, it is strong enough to cut glass. Its scratch-resistant to fingernails, but not to harder stones such as diamonds. Avoid exposing chalcedony to long periods of heat as it may cause permanent damage to the stone.
Image Credit: @wjenga
We also advise avoiding exposing your chalcedony the following activities and chemicals to maintain its shine, in addition, to prevent it from degrading or shrinking.
- Avoid showering with your chalcedony on
- Do NOT expose it to cleaning supplies, moisturizers, perfumes, or makeup
- Do NOT swim with chalcedony on
Image Credit: @chitzabelle
Chalcedony is fairly low maintenance and can be easily cleaned using water and a soft brush. You can wipe dust, grime, or fingerprints away with a microfiber cloth or soft towel. Store it in a fabric-lined box or soft pouch separately. I personally do not own this stone, so I am unable to rate my experience.
Agate 7.0 on Mohs Hardness Scale
Agate was recently introduced to the Alhambra collection in 2018 and it is considered “fairly durable” on Mohs Hardness Scale. Stones above 7 on Mohs Hardness Scale (such as diamonds) can scratch or damage agate. Agate is another great option for daily wear as it is more scratch-resistant than other VCA stones. Avoid exposing agate to the sun and extreme temperature changes as it can cause it to crack or break. We also advise avoiding exposing your agate the following activities and chemicals to maintain its shine, in addition to prevent it from degrading or shrinking.
Image Credit: @lady.marianaasson
- Avoid showering with your agate on
- Avoid sun exposure
- Do NOT expose it to cleaning supplies, moisturizers, perfumes, or makeup
- Do NOT swim with agate on
Image Credit: @DiamondsinDubai
Agate is fairly low maintenance and can be easily cleaned using water and a soft brush. You can wipe dust, grime, or fingerprints away with a microfiber cloth or soft towel. Store it in a fabric-lined box or soft pouch separately. My personal rating for owning the stone – 8.5/10.
Onyx 7.0 on Mohs Hardness Scale
One of the most popular stones in the Alhambra collection, onyx is great for everyday wear! It is also one of the strongest natural stones that VCA uses. Onyx’s composition makes it a very durable stone; however, a harsh impact on the stone can cause it to crack or chip. We don’t recommend stacking this stone with other jewelry or watches as it is not scratch resistant. In addition, onyx is a porous stone, therefore it should not get wet as it absorbs liquids easily. We also advise avoiding exposing your onyx the following activities and chemicals to maintain its shine, in addition, to prevent it from degrading or shrinking.
Image Credit: Worthpoint
- Do NOT shower with your onyx on
- Do NOT expose it to cleaning supplies, moisturizers, perfumes, or makeup
- Do NOT swim with onyx on
Image Credit: Van Cleef & Arpels
When cleaning onyx, you can wipe dust, grime, or fingerprints away with a microfiber cloth or soft towel. To ensure the longevity of your onyx pieces, store them in a soft cloth or a fabric jewelry box. I personally do not own this stone, so I am unable to rate my experience.
Tiger’s Eye –7.0 on Mohs Hardness Scale
A stone of the quartz family, tiger’s eye exhibits alternating layers of radiant yellow and brown waves reminiscent of a feline eye. While tiger’s eye can be worn with other jewelry, stones above 7 on Mohs Hardness Scale (such as diamonds) can scratch or damage your tiger’s eye stone. Though tiger’s eye ranks at a 7 on Mohs Hardness Scale, it is a porous stone and therefore should never get wet. Do not expose your tiger’s eye to extreme temperature changes (hot or cold) or it can crack or break. We also advise avoiding exposing your tigers eye the following activities and chemicals to maintain its shine, in addition to prevent it from degrading or shrinking.
Image Credit: Van Cleef & Arpels
- Do NOT shower with your tiger’s eye on
- Do NOT expose it to soaps, oils, cleaning supplies, moisturizers, perfumes, or makeup
- Do NOT swim with tigers’ eye on
- Do NOT expose it to sweat
Image Credit: Van Cleef & Arpels
Like turquoise, tiger’s eye requires appropriate cleaning, storage, and care. You can wipe dust, grime, or fingerprints away with a microfiber cloth or soft towel. To ensure the longevity of your tiger eye pieces, store them in a soft cloth or a fabric jewelry box. I personally do not own this stone, so I am unable to rate my experience.
Carnelian 7.0 on Mohs Hardness Scale
The carnelian gemstone, a semi-precious gemstone that’s frequently used by VCA, is easily recognized for its orange-red colour and smooth luster. With a hardness of 7 and very good wearability, carnelian makes for a very long-lasting and sturdy jewelry stone. When maintained and cared for properly, it can last in its prime condition for a very long time. Carnelian is a great everyday stone and can be stacked with other jewellery as it is scratch-resistant, but they must be stones below 7 on Mohs Hardness Scale. Carnelian is quite a tough stone due to its composition but can crack or chip if dealt a hard blow. We also advise avoiding exposing your carnelian the following activities and chemicals to maintain its shine, in addition, to prevent it from degrading or shrinking.
Image Credit: @lynnsluxecloset
- Avoid showering with your carnelian on
- Do NOT expose it to cleaning supplies, moisturizers, perfumes, or makeup
- Do NOT swim with carnelian on
Image Credit: @DiamondsinDubai
I personally wore my carnelian 5 motif bracelet for years, and I even showered with it on. As you can see in the photo above, my carnelian stone has shrunk and no longer fits in the Alhambra prongs.
When cleaning carnelian, you can wipe dust, grime, or fingerprints away with a microfiber cloth or soft towel. To ensure the longevity of your carnelian pieces, store them in a soft cloth or a fabric jewelry box. My personal rating for owning the stone – 9.5/10.
Porcelain 7.0 on Mohs Hardness Scale
While not frequently produced by Van Cleef, the Maison boasts that the Alhambra collection in Sèvres porcelain is combined with the art of ceramics and the jewelry-making expertise of Van Cleef & Arpels. Porcelain is quite durable and suitable for daily wear. We don’t recommend stacking your porcelain jewelry with harder stones or with watches because it can crack or break, especially when dealt with a hard blow. We recommend you to be extra careful with porcelain holiday pendants because Van Cleef does NOT replace them if they crack or break!
Image Credit: @DiamondsinDubai
For porcelain jewelry to have a longer lifespan, treat your porcelain jewelry with good general care: keep them clean, store them when not in use, and don’t expose them to extreme temperature changes (or they can crack). Frequent use of porcelain jewelry can cause the colour to slightly wear off. We also advise avoiding exposing your porcelain jewelry to the following activities and chemicals to maintain its shine, in addition, to prevent it from degrading or shrinking.
Image Credit: @dearluxe
- Avoid showering with your porcelain jewellery on
- Do NOT expose it to cleaning supplies, moisturizers, perfumes, or makeup
- Do NOT swim with porcelain jewelry on
Image Credit: Van Cleef and Arpels
When cleaning porcelain, you can wipe dust, grime, or fingerprints away with a microfiber cloth or soft towel. To ensure the longevity of your porcelain jewelry, store them in a soft cloth or a fabric jewelry box. My personal rating for owning the stone – 10/10.
Some Final Thoughts...
In general, we don’t recommend submerging any of your Van Cleef & Arpels semi-precious gemstones in water, as it will cause them to either break down or lose their luster. Showers cause cracks and discoloration, even in hard materials. This is because minerals have microscopic cracks and exposure to water can further expand those cracks. Overall, if you’re looking a great everyday semi-precious stone from the Alhambra line, we recommend chalcedony, agate, carnelian, and porcelain.
If you’re looking for jewelry you can live in without worrying about, we recommend the hammered gold Alhambra collection or the pave Alhambra collection as they are the most durable! They are suitable for daily wear and can be worn while applying makeup, sleeping, showering, and working out. Even though these are more expensive than coloured stones, they are great investment pieces that won’t get damaged as easily.
Image Credit: @DiamondsinDubai
Image Credit: @DiamondsinDubai
Image Credit: @DiamondsinDubai
Guilloché 2.75 on Mohs Hardness Scale
Due to popular demand, we’ve added the Guilloché collection to our after-care article!
Guilloché is a special engraving technique that Van Cleef & Arpels has been using since 1910! It is characterized by it’s precise, intricate, and repetitive pattern engraved into gold. Even though this stunning design is made with gold, Guilloché is very sensitive. On Moh’s Hardness scale, 18K gold ranks between 2.5-3.0, meaning it is prone to more scratches than malachite and MoP. When maintained and cared for properly, it can last in its prime condition for a very long time. To keep your Guilloché pieces looking their best, we don’t recommend stacking them with other jewelry and watches. We also advise avoiding exposure of your Guilloché to the following activities and chemicals to maintain its shine, in addition to preventing scratches.
- Avoid showering with your Guilloché on
- Do NOT expose it to cleaning supplies, moisturizers, perfumes, or makeup
- Do NOT swim with Guilloché on
Photo credit @pursebop
Guilloché is not scratch resistant, therefore, the luster and shine of Guilloché comes from its ability to reflect light. Scratches prevent the Guilloché design from picking up light, which is why we don’t recommend it for daily wear or stacking. Once scratched, Guilloché cannot be repaired or buffed out by Van Cleef & Arpels, so be extra careful! Lastly, wearing gold jewelry (white gold and yellow gold) in the shower will not harm the metal itself, however it can reduce its shine, so try to avoid getting your pieces wet. When cleaning your Guilloché pieces, it is best to regularly wipe them down with a soft cotton cloth after wearing them. This will help prevent them from losing their shine and luster. To ensure the longevity of Guilloché pieces, store them in a soft cloth or a fabric jewelry box.
We hope you find this guide helpful. Please stay tuned for more luxury jewelry coverage from @diamondsindubai.
Updated: October 1st, 2021
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1 Responses to “Van Cleef & Arpels Alhambra Aftercare Guide – How To Care For Each Stone”
I want to one kailo stone 5motif size and mini size only 3 colore