Pearls are gems of the sea. They are the only naturally created gemstones that come from living creatures. But, they do require special care to keep them lustrous. You must care for real cultured pearls, in ways unlike other gems, in order to keep their high-quality pearl grades.
One reason why pearls need special attention is that they are very soft. So, it’s important that you never just toss them in your jewelry box next to or on top of other gemstones. Instead, store your pearls in a jewelry pouch.
Wearing a strand of pearls regularly means the gems coming in close contact with your skin often. Gradually, the pearls will absorb the skin’s acid, which will eat slowly into the gemstone itself. This won’t cause it to lose pearl luster. It will, however, cause its spherical shape to become more barrel-shaped.
To Slow This Process: You can slow up the process of the pearls absorbing acid from your skin. After wearing them, simply wipe your gemstones off with a soft cloth.
There are other elements that can damage pearls, such as lemon juice, vinegar, perfume, cologne and other chemicals. Heat tends to make pearls crack and turns them brown. Dry air also has a tendency to damage the gems.
Every time you wear pearls, it’s good practice to wipe them off afterward. Use a damp or dry chamois or soft cloth. This prevents the accumulation of dirt. It also removes any acidic perspiration from dissolving the pearl nacre. To help maintain the pearl luster, put a drop of olive oil on your pearl cleaning cloth.
Have your pearls been sitting around dirty for a while? If so, you can clean them with a pearl cleaner. If the task is too difficult, your local jeweler can clean them for you. Just remember that these gems are precious and soft. So, the best way to clean and care for real cultured pearls is very carefully.
Pearls are extremely shock-resistant and cohesive. However, bringing them in contact with other gems and sharp objects may scratch them.
The best way to prevent your pearl jewelry from scratching and tangling up is to fasten the pins and clips. Then, lay out each piece separately in a jewelry box with compartments.
Store your gems in a protective jewelry pouch when carrying your accessories. And, never store them in security boxes for long periods of time. They lack humidity, which can cause the pearls to become dehydrated.
There are many types of pearl necklaces. These various strands of pearls come in different lengths and are typically worn for different occasions:
The Pearl Source takes pride in educating our customers on how to care for real cultured pearls. Our Pearl Education resources help you learn about pearl grading, pearl sizing, pearl types, necklace lengths and other important facts about pearls.
Interested in buying genuine cultured pearl from a jeweler you can trust? The Pearl Source has been a family owned jewelry for over 25 years. Located in the heart of the world-famous Jewelry District, Downtown Los Angeles, we really know pearls. Check out our pearl necklace selection today!
Watch our video on pearl care below to make sure you are taking the best care of your special gems:
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Content Writer and Editor at The Pearl Source
Kiesha Joseph is the Managing Content Editor for ThePearlSource.com, a leading online pearl jewelry website offering high-quality pearls at affordable prices. Kiesha is a Content Marketing Geek who enjoys educating her audience on a broad range of topics, including trends in marketing, SEO, jewelry, fashion, celebrity style and more.
