HANDLE WITH INTENTION
Lift from the strongest central body or base. Never carry a sculpture by a horn, tooth, wing, crystal point or other projecting detail.
CARE & PRESERVATION
CARE &PRESERVATION
Natural stone is durable, but no two materials respond to handling, light and cleaning in exactly the same way.
Proper handling, conservative cleaning and considered display help preserve the physical character of a LITHMORA work over time.
EXPLORE THE GUIDE
THE CARE STANDARD
Care Begins With Restraint.
Natural stone can be durable and still remain vulnerable to impact, abrasion, heat, pressure and unsuitable cleaning. Begin with the least invasive action the object safely supports.
KEEP IT STABLE
Choose a level, load-bearing surface with enough clearance around the object to reduce accidental contact and falls.
CLEAN GENTLY
Start dry with a clean lint-free cloth or exceptionally soft brush. Escalate only when the individual material record supports it.
KNOW THE MATERIAL
Review cavities, exposed crystals, natural fissures, coatings, porous areas and delicate carved details before cleaning or moving the work.
HANDLING & DISPLAY
Give the Work Space.
A stone sculpture should be handled from its strongest mass and displayed where its weight, projections and natural structure can remain undisturbed.
- Use clean, dry hands or appropriate gloves.
- Support the object's mass from below.
- Lift completely before repositioning—do not slide.
- Remove jewellery or watches before close handling of polished surfaces.
- Use a stable, level and load-bearing surface.
- Leave clearance around projections and edges.
- Keep heavy works away from unstable shelves and high-traffic edges.
- For larger pieces, consider a non-slip conservation-safe interface beneath the base.
DISPLAY IS PART OF CONSERVATION.
CLEANING
Start With the Least.
Ordinary dust rarely requires an aggressive response. Do not introduce water, heat, steam, ultrasound or chemicals unless the material, treatment and surface are known to tolerate them.
DUST
Begin with a clean, soft, lint-free cloth or an exceptionally soft brush.
ASSESS
Look for exposed crystals, cavities, fissures, coatings, porous areas and delicate projections.
CLEAN ONLY AS NEEDED
Where the individual record permits, use minimal moisture and dry the work promptly—especially around carved recesses.
STOP WHEN UNCERTAIN
If the surface is treated, porous, crystal-bearing, fissured or unfamiliar, return to dry care and ask before deeper cleaning.
NO ABRASIVE POWDERS
NO HOUSEHOLD CHEMICALS
NO BLEACH
NO AUTOMATIC ULTRASONIC CLEANING
NO STEAM BY DEFAULT
WHEN IN DOUBT, CLEAN LESS — NOT MORE.
CARE BY MATERIAL
General Guidance. Individual Record.
Stone families behave differently, and two objects of the same named material may still differ in structure, treatment, inclusions or exposed crystal areas.
01
QUARTZ FAMILY
QUARTZ / AMETHYST
- LIGHT
- Avoid unnecessarily prolonged intense light and abrupt temperature change, especially where colour stability is a concern.
- CLEANING
- Start dry. Introduce minimal moisture only when the individual record and surface condition support it.
- HANDLING
- Protect polished surfaces and exposed crystal points from impact or concentrated pressure.
02
CHALCEDONY FAMILY
AGATE / JASPER
- SURFACE
- Protect polished edges, thin carved areas and projecting details from knocks and abrasion.
- CLEANING
- Prefer gentle surface cleaning and begin dry before considering any additional moisture.
- DISPLAY
- Use a stable surface and avoid repeated sliding or contact with other hard objects.
03
VOLCANIC GLASS
OBSIDIAN
- HANDLING
- Protect sharp edges, thin projections and polished faces from hard impact or abrasion.
- CLEANING
- Use a soft lint-free cloth first. Avoid abrasive powders and aggressive scrubbing.
- DISPLAY
- Support the full base and leave clearance from shelf edges and high-traffic areas.
04
CLEAVAGE-PRONE MATERIAL
FLUORITE
- HANDLING
- Use extra care against impact and pressure. Do not grip or lift by thin or projecting areas.
- CLEANING
- Use dry care first. Do not assume steam or ultrasonic cleaning is appropriate.
- ENVIRONMENT
- Avoid abrupt temperature changes and unstable display surfaces.
05
POROUS / TREATMENT-SENSITIVE
HOWLITE
- CLEANING
- If dye or surface treatment status is uncertain, use dry care only until the record is reviewed.
- MOISTURE
- Avoid soaking and household chemicals unless material-specific guidance explicitly permits them.
- HANDLING
- Protect the surface from abrasion and the carved form from impact.
06
OTHER / RARE MATERIAL
OBJECT-SPECIFIC CARE
- RECORD
- Use the individual product or archive record as the primary care reference.
- CLEANING
- Keep care dry and conservative until material, treatment and surface compatibility are understood.
- CONTACT
- When uncertain, send the archive number and clear photographs to LITHMORA before intervention.
The individual product or archive record always takes precedence over general guidance.
LIGHT, HEAT & ENVIRONMENT
Stability Over Intervention.
A consistent display environment is often more useful than frequent cleaning. Keep the work supported, dry and away from avoidable extremes.
LIGHT
Avoid unnecessarily prolonged intense direct sunlight where material colour stability is a concern.
HEAT
Keep works away from radiators, fireplaces and abrupt temperature changes.
MOISTURE
Do not leave water sitting in cavities, fissures, crystal pockets or complex carved recesses.
VIBRATION
Avoid unstable shelving, frequently moved furniture and surfaces subject to repeated impact or vibration.
STABILITY IS MORE IMPORTANT THAN FREQUENT INTERVENTION.
STORAGE & MOVING
Store Without Pressure.
When a work is not on display, protect it from impact, abrasion, compression and unnecessary contact with other hard objects.
SHORT-TERM STORAGE
Wrap surfaces individually without placing pressure on projecting details.
LONG-TERM STORAGE
Keep the object supported, dry and separated from other hard materials.
MOVING / RELOCATION
Photograph condition first, support the strongest mass and pack for the object's weight, form and fragility.
KEEP YOUR ORIGINAL LITHMORA PACKAGING WHEN PRACTICAL.
OBJECT-SPECIFIC CARE
Every Object Has a Record.
Material, dimensions, surface features and condition can affect how an individual work should be handled and maintained. If you are uncertain about a LITHMORA work, send the archive number, clear photographs and your care question.
ARCHIVE NUMBER+CLEAR PHOTOGRAPHS+YOUR CARE QUESTION
ASK ABOUT YOUR PIECE
PRESERVE THE RECORD
Care Is Part of the Record.
Thoughtful handling and conservative care help preserve both the object and the individual physical character documented in its archive history.