Pearls Are Soft: Handle with Care
Pearls are one of the softest materials used in jewelry. Almost all gems are harder than them. For this reason, you should keep in mind that whatever other jewelry material your pearls come in close contact with, they are likely to get scratched.
The pearls on your ring can be easily damaged by a strong bump.
Be careful when wearing your pearls because a strong bump can easily damage them.
Make sure not to drop any of your pearls on hard surfaces.
When you take off your pearl jewelry, place it carefully on something soft.
Safety Rules When Wearing Your Pearls
You should also be careful not to damage your pearls when wearing them.
Only use perfume or hair spray before putting your pearls on, as otherwise these substances may dissolve them.
Household cleaning products can also harm your pearls, so take off your pearl jewelry when doing any housework.
Don’t cook when wearing pearls because some ingredients, especially those with acidic content like lemon juice or vinegar, can damage your pearl jewelry; baking soda can also be harmful.
Avoid exposing your pearls to heat.
When taking your jewelry off, remove your pearls before any other clothing or accessories.
Do not wear your pearls when taking a shower or swimming as the chlorine often put in water can be damaging to them.
Only wear your pearl necklace when its string is dry; if it is wet, dirt will accumulate on it more easily and will be hard to remove.
Cleaning Your Pearls
It is recommended that you clean your pearls regularly after wearing them to remove any dirt or perspiration accumulated on them.
Simply wipe the pearls with a soft cloth. You can moisten the cloth with water to make the task easier. Avoid soap as some brands contain substances that may not be pearl-friendly.
Make sure you clean your pearls well around the drill holes as this is where dirt tends to accumulate.
You can also use a pearl cleaner, but do not just use any cleaning solution you find at the store: Make sure it is specifically made to clean pearls.
Don’t use ultrasonic cleaners, as they can be damaging to pearls.
Don’t store your pearl jewelry in tightly sealed bags or boxes because dry air will dry your pearls out, and they will become brittle and yellow.
Don’t put your pearls together with other gems as they may scratch your pearl jewelry.
Don’t hang your pearl necklace, as its string can get stretched. Put your pearls in jewelry bags made of soft cloth (e.g., silk).
Storing Pearls
Since pearls are easy to damage, you should store them separately from your other jewelry pieces, which are likely to scratch them. Put your pearls in a separate box or store them in a bag made of a soft material such as velvet or silk.
Do not store your pearls in a plastic bag, especially for a prolonged period as the reduced air supply will cause them to dry out, lose their color and luster, and even start to crack. What’s more, some types of plastic may contain chemicals harmful to pearls.
In general, you should not store your pearls for a long time in a closed space with no air circulation. Take them out regularly and wear them.
Restringing Pearls
If you have a pearl necklace, you should have it restrung every couple of years or so: With time, the string gets dirty, wears off, and becomes easy to break. Restringing also eliminates accumulated dirt that may otherwise harm your pearls over time.
When stringing pearls, it is bet to have knots between them to protect them from rubbing each other and falling out all at once in case the strand breaks.
Be Careful When Buying Pearls
When shopping for pearls, take a good look at them to make sure you are not buying damaged goods.
If you are looking at a necklace, inspect the pearls’ drill holes for cracks. Ensure that none of the pearls are chipped or scratched.
Can You Repair a Damaged Pearl?
Once the integrity of a pearl’s surface or internal structure has been compromised, there is no way to repair the damage. If your pearl is chipped, the only solution is to buy a new one.
Pearls are very vulnerable, and you should take extra care to protect them from damage.
