Caring for Your Talisman: Cleaning, Storing and Old Customs
Practical care for metals, stones, glass, fibre and wood, plus the old customs for retiring a talisman with grace.
A talisman is usually worn, carried or handled every day, and that brings dust, skin oils and the odd knock. A little regular care keeps it looking its best, and knowing the customs around it lets you retire it gracefully when the time comes.
Gentle first, always
Whatever the material, begin with the mildest method: a soft, dry cloth. Move on to lukewarm water with a drop of mild soap only if needed, and dry thoroughly afterwards. Avoid household cleaners, bleach, chlorine and abrasive pastes, which can scratch, dull or discolour a surface for good.
A useful jewellery habit is last on, first off. Put a talisman on after perfume, hairspray and creams, and take it off before swimming, cleaning, gardening or sport.
Metals
Silver darkens as it reacts with sulphur in the air, a process called tarnishing. A silver polishing cloth removes light without scratching. For detailed pieces such as an engraved Hamsa, a very soft brush and soapy water help, but go carefully where a maker has deliberately darkened the recesses to bring out the design.
Gold does not tarnish, so a wash in soapy water and a soft brush are usually enough. Plated pieces need a lighter touch, because rubbing wears the thin gold layer away.
Iron, as in a Horseshoe, rusts in damp air. Keep it dry, brush off loose rust and, if you wish, rub in a thin coat of wax. Copper and brass develop a darker that many people like. If you prefer a bright finish, use a dedicated metal polish sparingly and rinse well.
Stones, shells and glass
Stones vary greatly in hardness. Carnelian and other quartz stones are tough. Turquoise, lapis lazuli and coral are softer and often porous, so keep them away from oils, cosmetics and long soaking. Amber is softer still, scratches easily and dislikes heat and solvents.
For all of these, a damp cloth is the safest clean. Avoid ultrasonic cleaners and steam, which can crack fragile or treated stones. A cowrie shell can be wiped and dried, and a glass nazar bead rinsed in plain water and patted dry.
Fibre, paper and wood
Textile talismans such as a red string or an embroidered pouch fade in sunlight and can attract moths. Hand wash only if the tradition allows it, in cool water, and dry flat. Many people simply let a red string wear away on the wrist, which is part of its custom.
Wooden and seed talismans, including rudraksha beads, prefer to stay dry and away from heat. Wipe them with a soft cloth. Some owners oil wooden beads lightly from time to time, using very little and wiping off the excess. Paper charms from shrines and temples are best kept dry and out of direct sunlight.
Old and inherited pieces
Be especially gentle with antiques and family heirlooms. The soft wear of a much-handled pendant, or the darkened surface of an old coin, is part of its history, and hard polishing can remove it for good. Loose stones, worn clasps and thin chains are best checked by a jeweller before you wear them again, and a valuable or very old piece deserves the advice of a conservator.
Quick reference
| Material | Clean with | Avoid |
|---|---|---|
| Silver | Polishing cloth, mild soapy water | Toothpaste, rubber bands, damp storage |
| Gold | Soapy water, soft brush | Hard rubbing on plated pieces |
| Iron | Dry brush, a thin coat of wax | Damp rooms and wet hands |
| Soft stones, coral, amber | Damp cloth | Oils, solvents, ultrasonic cleaners |
| Glass | Plain water, soft cloth | Knocks and sudden temperature changes |
| Fibre and wood | Light dusting, dry cloth | Strong sun, soaking, moths |
Storing your talisman
- Keep each piece in its own pouch or compartment so harder stones do not scratch softer ones.
- Store silver in a sealed bag or with an anti-tarnish strip to slow darkening.
- Keep amber, coral and textiles out of strong sunlight and away from radiators.
- Hang chains or lay them flat so that knots cannot form.
- Give household talismans such as a Brigid’s cross a dry spot away from steam and cooking.
Old customs for retiring a talisman
Many traditions treat a talisman as something to be thanked and returned rather than thrown away. Japanese Omamori are customarily returned after about a year, ideally to the shrine or temple they came from, where they are burned in a ceremony. Custom also asks that you do not open the pouch.
The Daruma follows a similar path. One eye is painted in when a goal is set and the second when it is reached, and many temples later burn old daruma, often around New Year. In Turkey and around the eastern Mediterranean, a cracked or broken eye bead is often said to have done its job, and it is simply replaced.
In Ireland a new Brigid’s cross is traditionally made each year for Saint Brigid’s Day, and what happens to the old one depends on local custom. If you are unsure what to do with a religious talisman, ask at a temple, shrine or church of its tradition. Most are glad to help.
Care as part of the meaning
Looking after a talisman is a small act of attention, and in many cultures that attention is part of what makes it precious. A soft cloth, a pouch and a few minutes now and then are all most pieces need.
Looking after a talisman is a small act of attention.
For more on what each material has meant over the centuries, see our guide to metals, stones and materials.
taliaris describes beliefs and customs; it makes no claim that a talisman has an effect.