Pearls are precious jewels. They need the following care:
1.
Pearls are organic gems composed of layer upon layer of nacre. Because of this they are softer (2 1/2 to 4 1/2 on the Moh’s Hardness scale) then most other gems. They can be scratched if hit against objects such as metal or other stones or cracked if they are dropped. Be careful not to hit them against walls, countertops, and all other hard objects that might crack or scratch them.
2.
Pearls are alkaline. They can be attacked by acids. Keep them from contacting hair spray, perfume, alcohol, and cosmetics. Apply perfume, cosmetics, and spray first, then put on your pearls. It is best not to placed them directly on your skin which may have chemical residues. Wearing them atop of your clothes is preferable. Also, keep them away from chemicals such as bleach, ammonia, chlorine and even acidic perspiration.
3.
After wearing your pearls, wipe them with a soft dry or damp cloth or a lambskin chamois. There is little need for special cleaning. If you think they need cleaning use only a soft, non-detergent soap being sure not to rub them against each other. Check to make sure the silk string is clean as well. Rinse them with warm (not hot) water. Spread them out on a soft towel to dry. There are commercial jewelry cleaners that you can use that are made specifically for pearls.
4.
A strand of pearls should be strung on a nylon or silk thread with a tight knot between each pearl. This keeps them apart so that they don’t scratch one another and reduces abrasion caused by grit in the atmosphere bound with skin oils on the strings. This also keeps them from scattering if the string breaks. There should be no slack between the knots and pearls.
5.
Take your pearls to your jeweler on a regular basis for restringing. Restring every two years with normal wear and annually with heavy use.
6.
Do not subject pearls to ultrasonic cleaners, steamers, detergents, cleaning solutions, or high heat.
7.
Store them carefully. Store them away from other harder jewelry. It is best to store them separately in cloth bags of chamois or velvet, or wrapped in tissue when not worn. Do not store them in plastic.
8.
Store them in a place that is not too warm. Pearls prefer a relatively consistent medium humidity. They contain around 2% water. Keeping them in a place that is too warm, may cause them to dry out and develop hairline cracks and fissures. This could cause them to lose their lustre.
9.
Regular care will greatly extend the life of all your pearls, mabes, mother of pearl, conch cameos, and abalone. Wear them frequently and always keep them clean.
