When selecting stones for everyday use, the best stones will combine being beautiful to look at, practical, and an investment. Some stones may appear wonderful when viewed from across a room, but not all stones will be appropriate for everyday use. With repeated exposure to wear and tear, moisture, heat, chemicals, etc., stones will suffer damage (sometimes very quickly).

Everyday wear gemstones need to work with U.S. consumers' busy lifestyles (work, travel, shopping, kids & spouses/community obligations, etc.) without concern of constantly damaging them. 

The Mohs hardness of different gemstones, some durable options, and which precious and semi-precious stones might not be appropriate for everyday wear are all covered in this guide on durable gemstones for everyday wear jewelry. This article benefits both customers and artisans by offering jewelers a useful guide to incorporate when they decide to create their customers' everyday wear jewelry selections.

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What is Everyday Wear Gemstone Jewelry?

Gemstone jewelry, typically worn every day, consists of items you could potentially wear daily, as opposed to wearing them only for special occasions. Items include:

• Rings worn daily, such as engagement rings

• Earrings worn regularly, rings or studs in the shape of circles

• Necklaces or pendants worn against the skin

• Bracelets that will be subject to heavy movement and contact

Gemstones utilized for everyday-wear jewelry must have high durability because they will be exposed to frequent use. Beautiful gemstones with little durability can easily scratch, develop chips or cracks, or lose their shine due to continuous wear.

Understanding Gemstone Durability 

In order to establish which gems are appropriate for daily use, it is important to take into account three primary factors that relate to the stones' durability.

The Mohs scale identifies the hardness of stones (the foundation for jewelry).

• The hardness of a gemstone refers to how resilient it is to being scratched, measured by using the Mohs scale. On the Mohs scale, gemstones are ranked from 1 (extremely soft) to 10 (the hardest).

• Because dust, metals, and common surfaces will not create scratches on the surface of gemstones that have a higher number on the Mohs scale, the surface will remain free from scratches, which will preserve the brilliance of the stone.

• As far as rings and bracelets are concerned, hardness is extremely important.

Guidelines for Daily Wear:

• Rings/Bracelets: More than or equal to 8 on the Mohs scale.

• Earrings/Pendants: More than or equal to 7 on the Mohs scale (with caution).

Toughness and Resistance to Abrasion 

Toughness or resistance to wear and tear, is just as important to a gemstone's overall durability as hardness.

Toughness indicates the ability of a gemstone to resist chipping or breaking upon impact. Abrasion resistance indicates the amount of wear a gemstone retains from contact with other surfaces.

Some gemstones may be hard, but due to a lack of toughness, they are more prone to chipping. Others may be moderately hard, but they have an acceptable amount of toughness. A gemstone that is suitable for everyday wear must provide a reasonable balance between hardness and toughness, plus have a high degree of resistance to abrasion.

Hard Gemstones for Everyday Wear (top choices) 

When it comes to durable types of jewelry, gemstones are quite often the best choices because they can withstand daily wear and tear without losing their beauty.

• Diamonds 

Diamonds are the hardest naturally occurring material and are therefore considered "the standard" when it comes to regular wear gem jewelry. Due to their incredibly high resistance to scratching, diamonds are ideal for any piece of jewelry that will experience continual wearing, like an engagement ring or bracelet.

Diamonds also have superior abrasion resistance, maintaining their polished appearance and brilliance for many years, even with extended time spent being worn. Natural diamonds and lab-created diamonds are both as durable as each other; therefore, many U.S. consumers prefer purchasing lab-grown diamonds because they provide great value and sustainability.

• Moissanite

Moissanite is one of the hardest gemstones available and performs exceptionally well in everyday jewelry. Its high hardness gives it excellent scratch resistance, while its toughness allows it to withstand daily impact better than many traditional gemstones.

Moissanite is widely chosen as a diamond alternative for everyday wear rings due to its brilliance, affordability, and durability. It is particularly popular in the U.S. market for engagement and daily fashion jewelry.

• Sapphire 

The sapphire has a Mohs hardness of 9 and is one of the toughest colored gemstones, making it an excellent choice for everyday jewelry. Although blue sapphires are the most well-known, other varieties have been found in colors such as pink, yellow, green, and the virtually colorless color white.

Sapphires are both hard stones, making them a stone that can be worn for daily wear rings without fear of scratching or chipping, as they will withstand normal impacts and abrasions.

• Ruby 

The ruby has the same Mohs hardness as sapphires, which is 9, and is a red variety of the mineral corundum (the mineral family to which both sapphires and rubies belong). As with their blue counterparts, rubies are also exceptionally durable stones that are resistant to scratches and that hold up well under normal daily wear when mounted in a properly fitted ring.

Rubies appeal to buyers who wish to purchase a gemstone with a bright red color and who do not want to compromise on the durability of the gemstone when choosing to purchase a piece of fine jewelry that they plan to wear every day.

• Chrysoberyl & Alexandrite

Chrysoberyl has a high level of sturdiness and durability compared to other gems, which means it can withstand everyday wear very easily and therefore be worn daily. In addition, since chrysoberyl does not get scratched or chipped as easily as most gems, it makes it a great choice for those looking for something unique yet practical.

Chrysoberyl also has a color-changing form called alexandrite, which has the same properties as chrysoberyl, including durability and strength. Both types of chrysoberyl make a great option for daily wear jewelry.

• Spinel

Spinel is a neglected stone that has become increasingly popular due to its durability and color, as well as the fact that spinel has a hardness of 7.5 and excellent toughness when compared to the majority of better-known stones, including diamond or sapphire (and most other stones).

For example, spinel can withstand three times the pressure of sapphire; therefore, spinel is an especially good option when dealing with wedding rings that will need to withstand numerous daily uses.

• Topaz

The topaz gemstone is usually not a good choice for everyday wear as a result of many factors, including its higher propensity to have a "perfect" cleavage. In addition to this factor, there is a higher risk of fracture when struck at certain angles. 

Therefore, to preserve the integrity of the topaz stone, an individual should only consider using topaz in everyday jewelry if the setting is protective, such as a bezel or low-profile design.

• Quartz

Quartz gemstone is widely available and relatively durable in terms of being lightly scratched by day-to-day wear. However, due to their hardness, quartz gemstones tend to wear more than harder gem materials. 

Therefore, quartz gemstones make excellent choices for everyday wear in the form of pendants and earrings, and may only serve as reasonable options for wearing rings if used in a design that minimizes exposure.

• Garnet

Most garnet stones offer moderate hardness, although different garnet varieties are available at different hardness levels. Because garnets do not provide sufficient strength for heavy daily wear rings, they are ideal for accessories such as earrings and pendants, where there is limited exposure to stress. Due to the unique colors of garnet stones, they provide an attractive option for an everyday accessory and, therefore, may provide a good balance of appearance versus wear.

• Tourmaline

Tourmaline is relatively hard, though it tends to chip upon impact. Tourmaline is not as prone to scratching as softer gemstones; regular wear should still be taken with caution. It is a good option for jewelry worn daily.

From gentle cleaning methods to storage tips, this Tourmaline Clean & Care Guide has everything you need to protect your tourmaline jewelry.

Gemstones to Avoid for Daily Wear Jewelry 

Not all gemstones are appropriate for daily wear; some may be too soft or brittle or too sensitive to withstand everyday activity.

• Opal

Opals can be scratched, cracked, and dehydrated due to their porous nature and softness. They are best suited for occasional use.

• Pearl

Pearls are organic gems and can be scratched and damaged by chemicals, sweat, and fragrances.

• Emerald

Emeralds may be rated highly on the Mohs scale for hardness; however, they often contain inclusions that weaken them and increase the chance of getting chipped.

• Tanzanite

Although tanzanite is often used to create unique pieces of jewelry, its brittleness and susceptibility to damage from heavy impacts mean that it shouldn't be worn regularly as part of a person's daily attire.

Jewelry Maker’s Guide to Selecting Stones for Daily Wear 

For designers and manufacturers of jewelry, the importance of durability cannot be stressed enough.

Here are some key guidelines:

• The durability of the gemstone must be matched with the type of jewelry you are creating

• Select gemstones that are less vulnerable to scratching and abrasion

• Provide some sort of protective setting for softer stones

• Inform your customers about the treatment methods and care for their jewelry

• Provide education on how customers can properly care for their jewelry

When the design of your jewelry is thought out carefully, it can greatly increase the longevity of gemstone jewelry that is worn daily.

Caring for Everyday Gemstone Jewelry 

• Jewelry should be removed when doing heavy exercise.

• Durable gemstone jewelry should be cleaned using mild soapy water and warm water.

• Do not use an ultrasonic cleaner on stones that are fragile/treated.

• Store each piece of jewelry in a different location from other pieces to minimize scratching.

• It is advisable to inspect the settings of your jewelry periodically (1-2 times per year).

Final Thoughts 

Diamonds, sapphires, rubies, moissanite, and spinel (along with chrysoberyl) are some of the most durable options available when purchasing everyday wear jewelry because they possess both beauty and toughness.

Knowing the Mohs scale of hardness for the various gemstones, along with their resistance to scratching and proper use, gives consumers the information needed to buy the right items, thus maintaining the jewelry's beautiful appearance for years to come. Whether you are buying a piece of jewelry for yourself or you are designing one for someone else, selecting durable stones allows your everyday wear jewelry to endure daily wear and tear.

FAQ 

What are the most durable gemstones to wear daily?

All other things being equal, diamonds, moissanite, sapphires, rubies, chrysoberyls, and spinels have the highest durability and hardness; therefore, they are all considered great options for day-to-day wear.

Are diamonds and moissanites safe to wear daily as rings?

They're perfectly safe to wear daily as rings.

What is the minimum hardness rating on the Mohs scale for jewelry meant to be worn daily?

To be worn as rings and bracelets, gemstones should have a hardness of 8 or higher on the Mohs Scale. For pendants and earrings, gemstones must have a hardness of approximately 7 or higher.

Is moissanite a durable gemstone for daily wear?

Yes, moissanite is highly durable, can withstand scratching, and can handle the day-to-day use of jewelry.

Are sapphires and rubies suitable to wear daily as jewelry?

Yes, both sapphires and rubies have a hardness rating of 9 on the Mohs Scale, which means they're excellent choices for day-to-day jewelry.

What gemstones should be avoided when wearing daily as jewelry?

Opals, pearls, tanzanites, and most emeralds are to be avoided for day-to-day jewelry, specifically for rings.

Can gemstone types that are softer than recommended be worn daily?

Yes! Soft gemstone types should be worn only as earrings and pendants. Soft gemstone types should not be worn as rings.

Will the jeweler's choice of a protective setting alter durability for day-to-day jewelry?

Yes! Use of protective settings, such as bezel settings and low-profile design,s greatly improves the durability of a jeweler's product.