How to Care for Your Semi-Precious Stone Surfaces

The Good News First

Semi-precious stone surfaces are far more durable and low-maintenance than most people expect. A quartz-family stone like blue agate, amethyst, or tiger eye has a Mohs hardness of 7 — harder than steel, harder than glass, and harder than most things you’ll encounter in daily life. With basic care, these surfaces will look stunning for generations.

That said, different stones have different needs. Here’s what you need to know.

Daily Cleaning

For all semi-precious stone surfaces, daily cleaning is simple:

1. Wipe with a soft, damp microfibre cloth. This removes dust, fingerprints, and light residue.
2. For sticky spots, use a small amount of pH-neutral soap (dish soap works fine) diluted in warm water.
3. Dry with a clean cloth to prevent water spots, especially on polished surfaces.

What to avoid: Never use acidic cleaners (vinegar, lemon juice, bathroom cleaners), abrasive pads (steel wool, Scotch-Brite), or bleach-based products. These can etch, scratch, or discolour the surface and damage the sealant.

Sealing Schedule

All Gemvera Stones surfaces are delivered with our nano-seal treatment, which provides an invisible protective layer that repels water and stains. However, sealant degrades over time with use and cleaning.

Recommended Sealing Frequency

Stone	Sealing Interval	Notes
Blue Agate	12 months	Standard maintenance
Amethyst	12 months	Standard maintenance
Tiger Eye	24 months	Very durable, minimal porosity
Rose Quartz	12 months	Standard maintenance
Malachite	6 months	Softer stone, more porous
Lapis Lazuli	6-12 months	Moderately porous
Sodalite	12 months	Standard maintenance
Mother of Pearl	6 months	Sensitive to acids
Petrified Wood	24 months	Extremely durable
Labradorite	12 months	Standard maintenance

We offer a professional re-sealing service, or you can apply our recommended nano-sealant yourself — it’s a simple spray-and-wipe process that takes about 15 minutes.

Stone-Specific Care Notes

Quartz-Family Stones (Agate, Amethyst, Tiger Eye, Rose Quartz)

These are the most durable semi-precious stones. Mohs 7 means they resist scratching from everyday use. The main concern is impact — dropping heavy objects on thin slab edges can cause chips. Use cutting boards in kitchens not to protect the stone, but to protect your knives — the stone will dull them.

Sunlight note: Amethyst and rose quartz can fade gradually with years of direct sunlight exposure. If your surface receives strong direct sun for several hours daily, consider UV-filtering window treatments.

Carbonate and Softer Stones (Malachite, Mother of Pearl, Lapis Lazuli)

These stones are softer (Mohs 3.5-5.5) and chemically sensitive to acids. Even mild acids like orange juice or wine can etch the surface if left in contact for extended periods. Always use coasters and wipe spills immediately. These stones thrive in vanities, console tables, and display surfaces where heavy-duty use is not expected.

Petrified Wood

Essentially fossil quartz, petrified wood is one of the most durable decorative stones available. It can even be used outdoors when properly sealed. Treat it like a high-end granite — it asks for very little in return.

Long-Term Protection

• Use coasters and placemats on all stone dining and coffee table surfaces
• Use trivets for hot items — while quartz-family stones handle heat well, sudden thermal shock can cause micro-fractures in any stone
• Avoid dragging objects across polished surfaces — lift and place instead
• Address chips promptly — small edge chips can be repaired by a stone professional before they become larger issues

When to Call a Professional

Contact us or a qualified stone restoration specialist if you notice:

• Visible loss of surface shine (may indicate sealant depletion)
• Staining that doesn’t respond to gentle cleaning
• Chips or cracks in the stone surface
• Cloudy or hazy areas on polished surfaces

Most issues are easily resolved with professional polishing and re-sealing. Semi-precious stone is remarkably forgiving — even neglected surfaces can usually be restored to their original glory.