Pearl Care: How To Care For Your Pearls

Pearls are an investment. As such, appropriate care must be used protect the luster and beauty of your pearls, while providing many years of pleasure. Below are a few hints that will assist you care for your pearls.

Store Pearls Separately

Pearls are a lot softer than the majority of gemstones and precious metals. If stored with other jewelry, they can get easily scratched or damaged.

Store Pearls In Soft Material

Ideally, you should store your pearls in a soft cloth pouch, linen cloth, or soft lined jewelry box. These will help stop the pearls from being scratched or damaged.

Reduce Contact With Personal Products

Personal care products, such as hairspray, makeup, and perfume, contain chemicals that can harm the pearl's surface and dull the pearl's luster. To minimize this sort of contact, use personal care products first before placing on pearls.

Minimize Contact With Perspiration

Perspiration contains natural acids that can harm the pearl's surface and dull the pearl's luster. To minimize this, remove pearls before exercising or performing strenuous activity.

Clean Your Pearls After Wear

Gently wash your pearls with a soft damp cloth after wear. This will help to eliminate any build-up on the pearls. Don't use anything abrasive as this may damage your pearls.

Periodically Wash Your Pearls

Periodically wash your pearls to help remove harmful build-ups. Wash your pearls in soapy water with a mild liquid soap (not a detergent). After completed, gently rinse and place on soft towel or cloth to dry. Don't hang pearls to dry as this may extend the silk thread.

Restring Your Pearls

To stop breakage, you need to have your pearls restrung periodically. By way of example, if you wear your pearls regularly, you should have them restrung annually. Pearls should be restrung with silk thread and knotted between each pearl. The knot prevents the pearls from all falling of this thread if there's a breakage, as well as prevents the pearls from chafing each other.