The Ultimate Guide to Pearl Care: Keep Your Pearls Shining
Pearls are one of the most elegant and timeless pieces in any jewellery collection. To keep their lustre and beauty intact, it’s essential to understand proper pearl jewellery care. In this guide, we’ll cover everything from daily cleaning tips to safe storage practices, so your pearl necklaces and earrings can shine for years to come.
1. Daily Cleaning and Maintenance for Pearl Jewellery
Pearls have a 'mask', which is made up of nacre secreted by the mother-of-pearl, and they have their own 'mask', i.e. nacre. This means that pearls don't need any additional lubricants to maintain their lustre – they're pretty self-sufficient!
Pearls 'breathe', which is pretty cool. Their tiny pores allow them to 'breathe' and absorb water from the air. This is why pearls may lose their lustre in dry environments. Depending on how often they are worn, clean your pearl jewellery once every few months to remove dirt and oil.
2. How to Properly Store Pearl Jewellery
Pearls are a bit 'sociopathic' – they like to be treated as individuals! To keep your pearls looking their best, avoid mixing them with other gemstones or metal jewellery. This way, you can keep their gorgeous colours and shine intact.
For the best care, use a 'soft room' to store your pearls. This means using soft jewellery bags or boxes to avoid hard materials on the pearl that could cause damage.
3. Avoiding common damage to pearls
We all love a bit of glamour, but it's important to remember that certain products can damage the lustre of pearls. Avoid using cosmetics, perfumes, detergents and other chemicals as they can ruin the look of your pearls.
It's also important to be careful with high temperatures as they can make the pearl lose moisture, resulting in dryness and discolouration.
And finally, avoid playing rock as pearls are easily ruptured by the impact. Keep your pearls safe by avoiding strenuous exercise or impact.
4. Regular Inspection and Restoration of Pearls
Check the Stringing: The stringing of pearl necklaces or bracelets can wear over time. Regularly check and replace it to avoid losing your pearls.
Checking the Lustre: The lustre of pearls may diminish over time. Check regularly and have them professionally cleaned and polished if needed.
Professional Restoration: If your pearls become cracked or severely damaged, seek the assistance of a professional jeweller for restoration.
By following these pearl care tips, you can ensure that your jewellery remains beautiful for years. For more advice on jewellery care, be sure to check out our other guides!