Care of pearls

How To Care For Your Pearls.

 The Golden Rule Of Pearl Care: "Last Thing On First Thing Off"
Pearls are an organic gemstone and on the Mohs scale of mineral hardness they rate a 2.5 - 4.5 out of a possible 10 with 10 being the hardest stones. Due to the soft organic composition of the pearls nacre they require special consideration in order to ensure that their nacre and luster do not become damaged or dulled. A standard rule of wearing pearls is "last thing on first thing off". By putting your pearls on last it ensures that your perfume has a chance to dry and your other makeups and potentially damaging materials do not come in contact with the surface of your pearls. By taking your pearls off first it ensures that your pearls do not get scratched or caught on your garnets.

Five Steps To Proper Pearl Care:

  • Always use only jewelry cleaners that are labeled as safe for Pearls.

  • Always store your Pearls wrapped in a soft cloth or pouch and protected from all abrasive objects.

  • If spills or drips get on your pearls ("oops" happens...), give them a good soak in lukewarm water with gentle natural soap (not detergent). Rinse well and allow to dry wrapped in a cotton cloth, then wear them to return some oils from your skin to the pearls. Remember, water doesn't hurt pearls, they grew up in it! 

  • Always remove your Pearls if you reapply hair spray, or put on perfume with a sprayer: both can damage Pearls.

  • Always remove Pearls before exercising or otherwise getting sweaty. (It's not the water or the salt, but the pH of sweat is not good for them.)

Five Things To Avoid When Caring For Pearls:

  • Never use toothbrushes, scouring pads or any type of abrasive material to clean your Pearls. Never use any "magic eraser" or other commercial cleaning pad, even those 'safe for non-stick' or otherwise presented as "gentle".

  • Never clean your pearls with anything containing chlorine bleach, vinegar or ammonia (including Windex). All will harm pearls. Avoid anything other that water and soap (not detergent).

  • Never steam clean your Pearls.

  • Never store your pearls in any type of plastic bag. Plastic can emit a chemical that will cause the surface of the Pearl to deteriorate.

  • Never leave your pearls around a direct source of heat such as a fireplace mantle, on top of a television set, or stove.