Caring for Your Pearl Jewellery

Pearls are made up of layers of organic materials secreted by a mollusk or oyster, in order to soothe an irritant within. Their organic makeup makes them soft and subject to change over time.

With proper care, high quality pearls can last a lifetime. Their delicate surface does mean they can be scratched but they are compact so cannot easily be cracked or crushed.

The better you care, clean and store your Pearl jewellery, the longer it will retain its colour, lustre and original beauty. Although Pearls are softer than most gemstones, they really benefit from regular and frequent wear.

Care Tips

• Wear pearls often to retain their moisture. 

• Never clean pearls with heat (no ultrasonic jewellery cleaners). 

• Put your pearls on last and take them off first to prevent exposure to harmful chemicals like bleach, hairspray, toothpaste, lotion, or acids. 

• Don’t wear pearls bathing or showering. 

• Wipe pearls after every wear with a soft cloth to remove any perspiration, makeup, or dirt that they may have picked up.

  
  

  • Mix water with gentle soap. 

  • Dampen soft cloth with soapy water and gently rub each pearl individually.

  • Gently dry the pearls with a soft dry cloth, making sure the pearls have dried completely before storing them.

  
  

[ Pearls that are strung on a silk thread shouldn’t be submerged in water or stored away before they are completely dry, to prevent the thread deteriorating. ]

Storing Your Pearls

• Do not hang up Pearl necklaces. This will cause the thread to stretch and sag. Instead, lay your pearl necklaces flat with any clasps fastened. 

• Keep Pearls in soft, fabric-lined compartments. Silk or velvet are great materials for storing pearls.  

• Do not store pearls in plastic. Chemicals in plastic can erode pearls.

• Do not store in an air-tight container. Pearls need moisture from the atmosphere or they will dry out. The best storage containers for pearls allow for some airflow. 

• Store pearls away from other gemstones. Pearls should stay isolated in their own compartment or storage container to keep from getting scratched by other gemstones. 

• Make sure your pearls have enough moisture. Storing them with a damp cotton ball will help keep your pearls moist but don’t allow the necklace threading silk to get damp. 

• Keep your pearls out of the heat. Heat dries pearls out.

• Don’t leave your pearls in storage for a long time. Pearls need to be worn so don’t let them dehydrate.