Care & Handling Guide

Your minerals, crystals, opals, and fossils are natural treasures — each one unique and irreplaceable. With proper care, they'll remain beautiful for a lifetime. Follow these guidelines to protect your investment and preserve their natural beauty.

General Handling Tips

• Always handle specimens with clean, dry hands. Oils and lotions from your skin can dull surfaces and cause long-term damage.
• Support large specimens from the bottom rather than gripping fragile protrusions or crystals.
• Avoid dropping or knocking specimens together — even hard minerals like quartz can chip or shatter on impact.
• Keep away from children and pets unless supervised, as small specimens can be a choking hazard and delicate pieces are easily broken.

Crystals & Mineral Specimens

• Dusting: Use a soft, dry paintbrush or makeup brush to gently remove dust. Avoid compressed air, which can dislodge small crystals.
• Cleaning: For most crystals, a brief rinse with room-temperature distilled water is safe. Avoid tap water if your area has hard water, as mineral deposits can leave residue.
• Do NOT wet: Halite (rock salt), selenite, calcite, malachite, pyrite, and other water-soluble or reactive minerals should never be submerged. Wipe gently with a barely damp cloth if needed.
• Sunlight: Avoid prolonged direct sunlight for amethyst, rose quartz, fluorite, and other color-sensitive minerals — UV exposure causes fading over time.
• Storage: Wrap individually in soft cloth or tissue paper. Keep specimens separated to prevent scratching.

Ethiopian Opals (Welo Opals)

Ethiopian Welo opals are hydrophane opals, meaning they are porous and can absorb water — temporarily altering their play-of-color and sometimes causing crazing (surface cracking) if repeatedly hydrated and dried.

• Keep dry: Do not submerge or soak your Ethiopian opals in water.
• Avoid humidity extremes: Store in a stable environment — not in bathrooms or near humidifiers.
• No ultrasonic cleaners: The vibrations can cause internal fracturing.
• Clean gently: Wipe with a soft, dry cloth only.
• Avoid oils and chemicals: Perfumes, hand creams, and cleaning agents can penetrate the stone and permanently alter its appearance.
• Storage: Store in a padded box or wrapped in a dry, soft cloth. Do not store in airtight containers for long periods.

Fossils

• Avoid water when possible: Many fossils are stabilized with consolidants during preparation. Water can soften or dissolve these treatments.
• Dusting: Use a soft brush. For matrix fossils (fossils still in rock), a stiff natural bristle brush works well for crevices.
• Display away from direct sunlight: UV can fade organic coloration in amber, bone, and shell fossils over time.
• Stabilization: If a fossil begins to flake or crack, consult a conservator. Do not attempt to glue pieces without professional guidance.
• Temperature & humidity: Keep in a stable, moderate environment. Rapid changes in humidity can cause cracking in bone and shell fossils.

Gemstone Cabochons & Slabs

• Turquoise: Highly porous — avoid water, oils, and chemicals. Wipe with a dry cloth only.
• Lapis Lazuli: Sensitive to acids and harsh chemicals. Clean with a soft dry cloth.
• Malachite: Never submerge — it is toxic when wet and can release harmful dust. Handle with care and wash hands after touching.
• Peruvian Opal & Other Opals: Avoid water and sudden temperature changes.
• General: Store cabochons individually in soft pouches to prevent surface scratching.

Jewelry Care

• Stainless steel inlay jewelry is highly durable and tarnish-resistant, but the inlaid stone materials require the same care as the raw stones.
• Remove jewelry before swimming, bathing, or applying cosmetics.
• Clean the metal with a soft polishing cloth. Avoid submerging pieces with opal, turquoise, or malachite inlays.
• Store in a jewelry box or pouch to prevent scratching.

Display Recommendations

• Use mineral stands, acrylic risers, or felt-lined trays to display specimens safely.
• Avoid placing specimens near heating vents, air conditioners, or in direct sunlight for extended periods.
• In high-humidity climates, consider silica gel packets in display cases to prevent moisture buildup on sensitive specimens.

Questions?

If you have specific care questions about a piece you purchased from Morgon's Minerals, don't hesitate to contact us. We're happy to help you keep your collection in perfect condition.