Natural minerals, fossils and petrified wood are durable, but a little care goes a long way in keeping them looking their best. Here’s our guide to maintaining the pieces in your collection.
Petrified Wood
We recommend Renaissance Wax — a museum-grade microcrystalline wax — for general care of petrified wood. Applied every six months, it provides a protective coating that preserves the surface and enhances the natural lustre. It’s available from Amazon.
If petrified wood is exposed to strong, sustained sunlight, the darker areas can gradually turn lighter. Should this happen, baby oil works well as a restorative — being very fine, it penetrates the pores of the stone and reverses the lightening. Rub it in using small increments until the stone becomes saturated, wipe off the excess, leave it for a while, and reapply if necessary. Finish by polishing with Renaissance Wax.
For a quick fix, an aerosol beeswax can be used. For more extreme protection, Lithofin Stainstop is an excellent option.
Crystals
Most crystals can be cleaned in warm water, thoroughly dried, and buffed — no chemicals should be used. We also have access to a Cotswold spring, and this very pure water is excellent for cleaning and maintaining crystals. Please get in touch if you’d like some.
If you have any questions about caring for a specific piece, we’re always happy to advise — just contact us.
