Caring For Pearl Jewelry - Maintenance & Wear

Pearl Maintenance

Firstly, before covering the subject of cleaning, you should consider ways on how to prolong the luster and life of your pearl necklace yourself.

Pearl jewelry such as necklaces or bracelets are usually strung and knotted with silk thread. Therefore, before you wear your pearls you should always check that the string of silk is in good condition and not frayed or discolored. If the silk stretches, or if the knots on the string between the pearls are dirty, then it would be wise to consider re-stringing. Most high street jewelry retailers can perform a simple relatively inexpensive re-stringing; however if your pearls are particularly old and precious then it may be a good idea to take them to an artisan craftsperson expert in jewelry. In any case, it is a good rule of thumb to take your pearl jewelry for at least one annual visit to a jeweler for a thorough checkup, and to make sure that your pearls are properly mounted and the silk cords are in good condition.

Before Wearing Pearls

If you are wearing a necklace or bracelet always try to hold it by the clasp, if you are wearing a pearl ring, hold it by the shoulder; try not to hold your jewelry by the pearls themselves as this will loosen them. Having said that, pearls should be worn frequently and as close to the skin as possible as they love the body's natural oils; the Nizam kings of India were famous for their love and wealth of pearls, adorning the court eunuchs with them so as to keep the pearls in perfect condition.

Don't hide your pearls away, wear them as often as you like, but remember that it is very important that you keep your pearls away from direct contact with the active ingredients contained within hairsprays, cosmetics and perfumes. As a general rule, always put your pearls on after you have applied makeup and take them off before applying any makeup removers: last on first off.

After Wearing Pearls

After each wearing, try to make sure that you wipe down your pearl jewelry with a slightly damp 'Chamois' or similarly textured soft cloth. Doing this will stop the build up of grime and dirt resulting from contact with fingers and clothes, which are slightly acidic and can erode the nacre of the pearls. Once you have carefully cleaned them with your cloth, leave them for ten minutes and then go over them again using a very small drop of olive oil on a cotton-bud. You should then store them away wrapped in another soft cloth, again preferably 'Chamois,' out of the sunlight and heat in an airtight jewelry box.

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