Pearl Care: Safe Ways To Clean Pearls
Cultured pearls are relatively soft compared to other gemstones and precious metals. It is important to take special care of your pearls to ensure they will remain bright and beautiful for generations to come.
As organic gems, cultured pearls are part water. Maintaining that moisture is one key to cultured pearl stability.To keep cultured pearls from dehydrating, keep them away from heat and excessive dryness.
Another key to cultured pearl stability lies in everyday wear and care. Many chemicals and all acids attack cultured pearls. Perfume, cosmetics, hairspray, and acids in perspiration can damage nacre. Women should put on cultured pearls only after they’ve applied cosmetics and used hair-care products.It is also suggested that you wipe down your pearls with a soft cloth after you wear them. Occasionally you may want to dampen the cloth and give your pearls a very thorough wipe down
Always keep your pearls separated from hard jewelry items, such as metals and other gemstones, to prevent them from scratching your pearls. Pearls are best kept in a soft cloth pouch or a separately lined jewelry box.
If you wear your pearls several times a week, it is best to take them back to your jeweler for re-stringing about once every other year to prevent strand breakage. When having your pearls re-strung, Topearl advises and uses only silk thread. However, nylon thread is an acceptable alternative. Make sure that the string is knotted between each pearl. Individual knotting will prevent all the pearls in a strand from falling off should a break occur. Knotting also prevents the pearls from rubbing against each other.