Every person likes something different when they are looking for fashionable pieces of jewelry. Individuals like different shapes and colors of stones along with different metals. There are certain gemstones and metals for everyday wear that can be worn on a daily basis with no real potential for damage. On the other hand, there are stones that should be worn with a bit more care and a little less often, to protect the longevity of the jewelry piece.

Take a look at some good gemstones and metals for everyday wear, and some other gems and metals you’ll want to wear with more caution.

Stones that can be worn everyday with little or no worry diamonds, sapphires, rubies, and topaz. All of these gemstones sit at an 8 or higher on the Mohs Hardness scale, meaning that they are not easily scratched, chipped, or damaged in other ways. That’s not to say that these gemstones are unbreakable; like any material, accidents can happen at any time. But being so high on the Mohs Hardness scale means that you can wear these gems every day and not worry about extra special care.

 The gemstones that need to be worn more carefully due to their hardness and wearability are pearls, opals, jades, aquamarines, and onyx. These gemstones should be the last thing that you put on after getting dressed and the first thing taken off at night. Gems in general shouldn’t be worn during chores, but these stones in particular should never be worn to go swimming, do yard work, or clean.

There are multiple metals that can be worn daily. Gold, platinum, and silver can all be worn on a daily basis. Silver is softer than gold, and if worn with stones set in it, should be worn with some precaution. Platinum is an excellent choice for daily wear, as is gold. But white gold in particular may show faster signs of wear if worn daily. Keep your white gold pieces looking beautiful with regular inspections and rhodium dips.

Fashion jewelry tends to be made from base metals. Nickel is a very popular base metal, and can be found in a lot of fashion jewelry. Fashion pieces should be worn with the knowledge that they can break and may not be able to be fixed by most jewelers. Some individuals are sensitive to nickel, so fashion jewelry isn’t always the best choice for everyday wear.

There is no reason not to wear the gemstones and metals you love most. Taking a few precautions with certain pieces and strong jewelry properly is a great way to ensure the longevity of your pieces. Always store sterling silver in an airtight bag when they are not being worn. This helps prevent tarnishing. Store gemstone pieces separately so the stones do not rub up against each other and cause scratches and abrasions on a gem’s delicate surface. Wrapping these gems in a soft, lint-free cloth, or storing them in individual baggies or pouches is a great way to ensure this.

Taking these small steps goes a long way in preserving the beauty of your jewelry, so it can be enjoyed for years to come.