How Do I Care For My Pearls?
Pearls are very fragile organic gems. By nature, pearls
are soft and will scratch, chip and break quite easily if not cared for,
properly. To protect your pearls from
damage and maximize their luster, please follow the suggestions below for care
& cleaning.
1. Do not use commercial jewelry cleaners on pearls unless the labels say they are safe for pearl jewelry. Many of them contain ammonia, which will cause deterioration.
2. Never clean pearls in an ultrasonic cleaner. It can damage the pearls and wash out the color if the pearls have been dyed.
3. Pearl jewelry should always be the last thing you put on and the first thing you take off to avoid contact with lotions, make-up, hairspray etc..
4. Never steam-clean pearls. Heat can harm them.
5. Never use detergents, bleaches, powdered cleansers, toothpastes (I know, but I had to mention it!), baking soda, or ammonia-based cleaners on pearls as they are abrasive.
6. Do not use toothbrushes, scouring pads or abrasive materials to clean pearls. They can scratch their surface. If there's a lump of dirt that can't be rubbed off with a soft cloth, try using your fingernails. They have a hardness of only 2 1/2 or less(On the Mohs Scale of Mineral Hardness. This scale was devised by Friederich Mohs, a German Mineralologist/geologist in 1812. The scale starts at the softest -- 1 -- to the hardest -- 10. A diamond is at number ten. The pearl is at 2.5).
7. Cleaning pearls is not complicated. After you wear them, just wipe them off with a soft cloth or chamois which can be dry or damp. This will prevent the dirt from accumulating and keep perspiration, which is slightly acidic, from eating away at the pearl nacre.
The pearls can be washed in water and a mild soap such as Ivory or Lux liquid (some liquid soaps, such as Dawn, can damage pearls as it is too strong) and cleaned with a soft cloth but not a brush. Pay attention to the areas around the drill holes where dirt may tend to collect. After washing them, lay the pearls flat in a moist kitchen towel to dry. After the towel is dry, they should be dry. Do not wear pearls when their string is wet. Wet strings stretch and attract dirt which is hard to remove. Likewise do not hang pearls to dry.
Pearls require moisture from the air so do not store them in air tight containers or safe deposit boxes.
Finally, it is okay to clean the other gemstones on your bracelet in the preceding manner. Clean your bracelet as if it were entirely made of pearls. Store it in the velvet pouch it came to you in if you wish.
1. Do not use commercial jewelry cleaners on pearls unless the labels say they are safe for pearl jewelry. Many of them contain ammonia, which will cause deterioration.
2. Never clean pearls in an ultrasonic cleaner. It can damage the pearls and wash out the color if the pearls have been dyed.
3. Pearl jewelry should always be the last thing you put on and the first thing you take off to avoid contact with lotions, make-up, hairspray etc..
4. Never steam-clean pearls. Heat can harm them.
5. Never use detergents, bleaches, powdered cleansers, toothpastes (I know, but I had to mention it!), baking soda, or ammonia-based cleaners on pearls as they are abrasive.
6. Do not use toothbrushes, scouring pads or abrasive materials to clean pearls. They can scratch their surface. If there's a lump of dirt that can't be rubbed off with a soft cloth, try using your fingernails. They have a hardness of only 2 1/2 or less(On the Mohs Scale of Mineral Hardness. This scale was devised by Friederich Mohs, a German Mineralologist/geologist in 1812. The scale starts at the softest -- 1 -- to the hardest -- 10. A diamond is at number ten. The pearl is at 2.5).
7. Cleaning pearls is not complicated. After you wear them, just wipe them off with a soft cloth or chamois which can be dry or damp. This will prevent the dirt from accumulating and keep perspiration, which is slightly acidic, from eating away at the pearl nacre.
The pearls can be washed in water and a mild soap such as Ivory or Lux liquid (some liquid soaps, such as Dawn, can damage pearls as it is too strong) and cleaned with a soft cloth but not a brush. Pay attention to the areas around the drill holes where dirt may tend to collect. After washing them, lay the pearls flat in a moist kitchen towel to dry. After the towel is dry, they should be dry. Do not wear pearls when their string is wet. Wet strings stretch and attract dirt which is hard to remove. Likewise do not hang pearls to dry.
Pearls require moisture from the air so do not store them in air tight containers or safe deposit boxes.
Finally, it is okay to clean the other gemstones on your bracelet in the preceding manner. Clean your bracelet as if it were entirely made of pearls. Store it in the velvet pouch it came to you in if you wish.