Caring For Your Pearls

How to care for your pearls

By Anna Lynn C. Sibal

The nacre is what gives the pearl its shine and iridescence. Unfortunately, the nacre coating of a pearl is not as hard or durable as other gemstones like the diamond. Thus, to maintain that luster that is so valued on pearl jewelry and to make the jewel’s life last longer, extra care is needed.

Caring for pearl jewelry involves meticulous handling. In order to keep your pearls in the best condition that they can be, here are a few pointers you can keep in mind.

Proper wearing. The first thing you have to remember is that some chemicals can cause the pearl to lose its shine. So, make sure you put your make-up and spray your perfume on your body first before putting on any pearl jewelry. Take your pearl rings off as well before applying any lotion or cream. It will also make your pearls less susceptible to dirt.

Cleaning dirt off pearls. Dirt is also responsible for pearls losing their luster, and dirt can accumulate through continued use. Thus, it is important to keep them clean – with care, of course. After removing your pearl jewelry, you should wipe it clean with a soft, non-abrasive cloth. You can use a damp cloth when cleaning your pearls, but just make sure that you air-dry them off before storing them away. Never rub your pearls with grainy, abrasive cloth and never take a brush to them in cleaning them up. This will scratch the nacre off the pearl and will make the pearl lose its shine. If you need to wash your pearls, use warm water and mild soap. Do not use harsh detergents or cleaners that contain ammonia. Neither should you put pearl jewelry in an ultrasonic cleaner.

Storing pearls. The utmost care should also be taken when storing pearl jewelry away. Haphazardly throwing them inside a box or a drawer or just anywhere can cause the nacre coating to scratch as well. The best way to store pearls is to wrap them separately in a soft, non-abrasive cloth and to keep them in a special compartment in your jewel box, away from your other pieces. If you can keep another box for your pearls, then all the better. Never expose your pearls to other pieces with hard gemstones and keep them from coming in contact with each other. Letting your pearls touch other gemstones will result in their nacre coating getting abraded.

Stringing pearls. Pearl necklaces and bracelets are often looped together using silk or nylon threads. These threads are prone to wear and tear; pearl necklaces and bracelets should therefore be taken to the jewelers around once every year for restringing.

The beauty of the pearl is incomparable. However, it is a kind of beauty that is fragile and can be easily marred. Care for your pearls properly, and they will last for generations to come.

Also see: Pearls are the epitome of luxury