Every stone in your Dicci piece was chosen for its structural quality, not just its appearance. How long it lasts depends as much on how you care for it as on the material itself. This guide covers exactly the stones in our collection, nothing generic, nothing irrelevant.
Know your stone
Not all natural stones behave the same way. Hardness, porosity, and sensitivity to chemicals vary significantly between materials. The table below maps every stone in our collection so you know exactly what you're working with.
| Stone | Type | Main risks |
|---|---|---|
| Black Onyx | Hard crystalline Mohs 7 | Chemicals can dull the surface finish over time. Resistant to impact under normal use. |
| Green Agate | Hard crystalline Mohs 7 | Very durable. Avoid prolonged contact with cleaning products. |
| Tiger Eye | Hard crystalline Mohs 7 | Can fade with prolonged UV exposure. Keep away from direct sunlight for storage. |
| Dark Hematite | Semi-hard Mohs 5–6 | Contains iron, dry immediately after any contact with water to prevent oxidation. |
| Lapis Lazuli | Semi-porous Mohs 5–6 | Sensitive to acids, chemicals, and soaps. Wipe clean, never soak. |
| Howlite | Porous Mohs 3.5 | Absorbs products easily. No chemicals, no soaking. Handle gently, soft surface chips. |
| Lava Stone | Highly porous Mohs 3–4 | Volcanic origin. Absorbs everything, perfumes, oils, sweat. Wipe dry after every use. |
| Agalmatolite | Very soft Mohs 2–3 | Extremely soft. Avoid impacts, friction, water, and any product contact. |
| Pearl | Organic Delicate | Acids, including sweat, damage the surface. Wipe after each wear. Store separately. |
What can damage your stones
Chemicals and body products
Perfumes, lotions, sunscreens, and soaps are the most common cause of damage. Porous stones like lava stone and howlite absorb them immediately and permanently. Lapis lazuli is particularly sensitive to acids, even mild soap can alter its surface over time. Always apply any product before putting on your jewelry, and let it fully dry first.
Water and humidity
Hard stones like onyx and agate handle brief contact with water well. Semi-porous and porous stones do not, lapis lazuli, howlite, lava stone, and agalmatolite should never be submerged. Hematite is especially sensitive: it contains iron, and prolonged moisture causes it to oxidize. If your bracelet gets wet, dry it immediately with a soft cloth.
Impact and friction
Soft stones chip and scratch easily. Agalmatolite (Mohs 2–3), howlite, and lava stone are vulnerable to even light impacts. Remove your jewelry before exercising, cooking, gardening, or any activity where contact with hard surfaces is likely.
Sunlight and heat
Tiger eye can fade with extended exposure to direct sunlight. Store all pieces in a dry, dark place away from windows and heat sources. Prolonged heat also degrades the elastic cord used in most of our stone bracelets.
How to clean
Hard stones - Onyx, Agate, Tiger Eye
Use a microfiber cloth or a soft-bristle brush with warm water and a single drop of mild, unscented soap. Gently clean the surface and dry thoroughly right away. Never leave submerged.
Semi-hard stones - Hematite, Lapis Lazuli
Clean with a soft cloth that is slightly damp, nothing more. For hematite, dry immediately after any moisture contact. For lapis lazuli, avoid all soaps and cleaning products: a dry cloth is enough for regular maintenance.
Porous stones - Lava Stone, Howlite, Agalmatolite
Only a dry soft cloth. These stones absorb moisture and any substance they come into contact with. After each wear, wipe with a dry cloth before storing. Never use water, soap, ultrasonic cleaners, or any cleaning product.
Pearls
Wipe with a dry, soft cloth after every single use. Sweat and acids from skin contact degrade the surface gradually. Never use water, cleaners, or ultrasonic devices. Store in a fabric pouch, separated from all other pieces.
How often
Storage
How you store your jewelry matters as much as how you wear it. Stones with different hardness levels will scratch each other on contact.
- Use a jewelry box with padded, separate compartments. Agalmatolite and howlite are soft enough to be scratched by onyx or agate if stored together.
- Pearls always go in a fabric pouch, away from every other piece.
- Store in a dry place with a stable temperature. Avoid bathrooms and windows with direct sun exposure.
- Lava stone: store in a sealed box if you live in a dry climate, extreme dryness can cause it to develop surface cracks over time.
If something goes wrong
The stone chipped or cracked
Keep any fragments and take the piece to a jeweler. Don't try to fix it at home. Soft stones like agalmatolite and howlite are more prone to this, some can be repolished without replacing the stone entirely.
The surface looks dull or discolored
On hard stones, shine usually returns with a gentle cleaning. On porous stones, discoloration from product absorption is often permanent, this is why prevention matters so much. A gemologist can tell you whether the damage is surface-level or has gone deeper into the stone.
Quick reference
Apply perfumes and lotions before putting on your jewelry, every single time.
Hard stones handle brief contact. Porous stones and pearls, wipe dry immediately.
Dry cloth after every wear. Soap and water only for onyx, agate, and tiger eye.
Separate compartments. Pearls always isolated. Away from sun and heat.
Absorbs everything. Dry cloth only. Never use any product.