How to Clean Your Tanzanite

How to Clean Tanzanite Gemstones & Jewelry

Let’s get one thing out of theway: Tanzanite is not your average gemstone. It’s exotic, rare, stunning, and a bit of a diva when it comes to care. On the Mohs scale (that’s geology-speak for “how hard is this rock?”), Tanzanite ranks about 6 to 6.5. Translation: It’s harder than a fingernail, but softer than your average kitchen countertop. So treat it like you'd treat your luxury sports car, gently, and definitely not with a pressure washer.

Here’s how to safely clean your Tanzanite jewelry without cracking it, dulling it, or causing an interstellar incident:

The Safe-and-Sane Tanzanite Cleaning Protocol

What you’ll need:

• A bowl of lukewarm water (not hot, not cold, think spa day, not coffee)

• A few drops of mild dish soap (gentle enough for baby ducks = gentle enough for tanzanite)

• A soft-bristle toothbrush or a clean makeup brush

• A lint-free cloth or microfiber towel

• A sense of calm and patience

Step-by-step (because chaos is not allowed around tanzanite):

1. Create a gem safe bubble bath.
   Mix lukewarm water and soap in the bowl. Stir it like you're prepping a potion.

2. Soak the jewelry for about 15–20 minutes.
   Not forever. Not overnight. Just enough to loosen any lotion, skin oil, or whatever mystery goo has accumulated.

3. Gently brush away the grime.
   Use the toothbrush with all the aggression of brushing a kitten’s teeth. Especially around prongs and under the stone. Don’t stab it.

4. Rinse with clean, lukewarm water.
   Over a bowl, not the sink. Because you are one moment of distraction away from watching your precious Tanzanite slide down a drain to its watery grave.

5. Pat dry with a lint-free cloth.
   No scrubbing. No paper towels. Just gentle dabbing. Like you’re dealing with a priceless artifact (because…well, you are).

What NOT to Do (Unless You Enjoy Living Dangerously)

• No ultrasonic cleaners.
  That vibrating tub of doom is great for diamonds. Not so much for Tanzanite, it can cause internal fractures. Don't do it at home or with a jeweler that doesn't know colored gems!

• No steam cleaners.
  Remember, Tanzanite + high heat = nope. Many jewelers do not know this so make sure they do not use a steam cleaner on your Tanzanite!

• No harsh chemicals.
  Bleach, ammonia, and your grandma’s silver polish will obliterate the stone’s luster faster than you can say “irreplaceable.”

Bonus Nerdy Tip:

Tanzanite is a pleochroic gemstone which is a fancy term for “shows different colors depending on the angle.” So if your stone isn’t looking quite as blue or violet as it used to, it might just need a cleaning, not a replacement. Sometimes it may need a refinishing as well.

Final Thought on Cleaning Your Tanzanite

Tanzanite is literally one thousand times rarer than diamond. It’s found in just one place on Earth. If you’re lucky enough to own it, treat it like royalty. A little care goes a long way, and your stone will keep turning heads for generations.

And if cleaning it still sounds like too much pressure? If you bought it from us, bring it to us. We’ve got the tools, the know-how, and the steady hands of a bomb squad technician.