How to Care for Amber Jewelry: A Complete Guide

Baltic amber is fossilized tree resin, not a hard mineral gemstone — and that changes how you should look after it. At around 2 to 2.5 on the Mohs hardness scale, amber scratches, cracks, and dulls far more easily than diamonds or sapphires. The good news is that caring for it is simple once you know a few rules. Follow these and your amber will keep its warm, honeyed glow for generations.

Why amber needs special care

Amber is organic and porous. It reacts to heat, chemicals, and sudden changes in humidity. Unlike a hard stone, it can:

• Scratch against harder jewelry or surfaces
• Crack or craze in very dry air or with rapid temperature swings
• Dull or dissolve on contact with alcohol, solvents, and perfumes

Treat it more like fine wood or a pearl than a gemstone, and you will not go wrong.

Everyday habits: last on, first off

The single most important rule of amber care is timing. Put your amber on last when getting ready — after perfume, hairspray, makeup, and lotion — and take it off first when you get home. This keeps cosmetics and chemicals away from the surface.

Also remove amber before:

• Showering, swimming, or washing dishes
• Exercising or heavy sweating (sweat is mildly acidic)
• Cleaning with any household chemicals
• Sleeping, to avoid pressure and snagging

How to clean amber jewelry

Cleaning amber is easy and gentle:

1. Wipe the piece with a soft, slightly damp cloth — plain lukewarm water only.
2. For a little more cleaning power, add a tiny drop of mild soap to the water, then wipe again with a clean damp cloth.
3. Dry thoroughly with a soft, lint-free cloth.

Never use ultrasonic cleaners, steam cleaners, jewelry dips, ammonia, alcohol, or abrasive cloths — these will strip amber's surface and leave it cloudy. To restore luster, gently rub the beads with a drop of natural oil (such as olive oil) on a soft cloth, then buff away any excess.

Storing amber the right way

• Store amber separately from harder jewelry so it does not get scratched. A soft pouch or a lined compartment is ideal.
• Keep it away from direct sunlight and heat sources like radiators — prolonged heat can dry and crack it.
• Avoid very dry environments. If your home is very dry in winter, amber kept in a completely sealed box for long periods can craze; a soft cloth wrap allows a little natural humidity.
• Wear it now and then. Amber actually benefits from contact with skin, which keeps it supple and deepens its patina over time.

Restringing beaded amber

If you own an amber necklace or a tesbih, check the thread periodically. Traditional beaded pieces are often knotted between beads so that, if the string breaks, you lose only one bead rather than the whole strand. Have worn or stretched thread restrung by a jeweler before it fails — especially on pieces you wear often.

What to avoid — a quick checklist

• ❌ Perfume, hairspray, lotion, and cosmetics
• ❌ Alcohol, solvents, and household cleaners
• ❌ Ultrasonic and steam cleaners
• ❌ Prolonged direct sunlight and heat
• ❌ Storing loose with harder jewelry

A stone that ages beautifully

Cared for properly, amber does not just survive — it improves. The natural oils from your skin and the gentle handling of years give it a soft, deepening patina that no new piece can imitate. That is part of the magic of a natural material.

We hand-work authentic Baltic amber in Gdynia, on Poland's Baltic coast. Browse our collection, learn how to tell if amber is real, or contact us with any questions about your piece.