Pearls are organic and do contain trace amounts of water. Storing them in an airtight environment will cause them to become brittle and damage the luster. ... they should be strung about once a year to prevent strand breakage.
Pearls contain organic substance, which can dry out and decay, which is why pearls have their certain life span, after which pearls start to grow dim, exfoliate and are finally destructed. This means special attention is required to ensure pearls will stay beautiful and last for hundreds of years.
With a chart-topping score of 10 on the Mohs scale — which ranks the relative ability of one mineral to scratch another — diamonds are durable enough to wear all day, every day. Pearls, however, rank at just 2.5 on that scale. The organic gems are easily scratched and notoriously delicate.
Pearl is generally stable to light, but heat from intense light can cause dehydration and cracked nacre. Pearl can be damaged by many chemicals and all acids. The list includes hair spray, perfume, cosmetics and even perspiration.
Pearl necklaces and bracelets wear out over time. The string loosens up and eventually breaks – no matter the material used. In fact we recommend restringing your pearls every 1-2 years to avoid accidental breakage and consequent loss of pearls.
As mentioned, pearls are ranked 2.5 on the Mohs Hardness Scale which means that a pearl is considered a soft gem and can easily be scratched. But with adequate care, pearl jewelry can last for a lifetime and be passed down through generations. The good news is that special care is not hard to do.
Astrology says that the people whose zodiac signs lords are Mercury, Venus, Saturn and Rahu should never wear pearls. Pearls harm the natives of these zodiac signs. This means that people of Taurus, Gemini, Virgo, Capricorn and Aquarius ascendant should not wear pearls.
Wetting pearls is never a good idea, as it begins to destroy the jewel. Pearl necklaces are damaged when they get wet, because the water damages both the thread and the pearl .
NEVER store your pearls in an airtight container such as a plastic bag. This is important, as pearls require moisture to help them retain their luster. If the environment in which they are being kept is too dry, this can lead to them cracking and you will be faced with your pearls are peeling.
Is it OK to wear pearls everyday? Absolutely. Pearl jewelry should be worn and enjoyed frequently, so avoid leaving your pearls in a security box for long periods of time. But as many jewelry, pearls are beautiful, but they are delicate and should be worn with care.
Cosmetics, sun block, perfume and hairspray all contain chemicals that can dramatically dull the luster of a pearl. The natural acids contained in body oils and perspiration can also damage pearls in the same way.
Take Proper Care of Your Pearls
Conversely, you should always remove your pearls first before getting ready for bed or going to sleep. Do not sleep, shower or bathe while wearing your pearls.
Since pearls consist of only 4% water, drying out will cause them to lose their luster. During storage, don't hang pearl necklaces but rather store them inside a pouch lying flat. The silk thread may become slack if hung for an extended period.
There's no doubt that pearls are one of the most popular and beloved gems in the world. They range in prices from a $100 or less all the way up to thousands and even millions of dollars.
Therefore, when you rub a real pearl with nail polish remover, it should not lose its luster or become damaged. However, the same cannot be said for fake pearls, which are often made of plastic or glass and can be easily damaged by the acetone-based solvent.
How are cultured pearls identified? In contrast to natural pearls, cultured pearls have a thin nacre or “skin”. When held against a concentrated light source, cultured pearls appear to have a solid, rounded nucleus with a thin outer layer.
Keep pearls away from chlorine bleach, hydrogen peroxide, vinegar, ammonia, hairspray, perfume, and cosmetics, as these substances will damage the pearl surface. Make sure to put pearls on after finished spraying perfume or hairspray and putting on makeup.
If your pearls are visibly stained, you can mix a solution of lukewarm water and mild dish soap, dip a soft cleaning cloth in it and wipe the pearls. Do NOT submerge a pearl necklace in water, as it will weaken the silk thread. 3. Let them dry all the way before storing.
How Much Are Real Pearls Worth? A traditional strand of white pearls can range from $100 (Freshwater pearl necklace) to $10,000 (Akoya pearl necklace). A strand of large, flawless South Sea pearls could even be valued as high as $100,000+ .
Gold Pearls
One of the largest and rarest pearls found around the world is Gold in color. They are Golden South Sea pearls, cultured in the Philippine Islands. Golden South Sea pearls have only been available to pearl lovers since the late 1970s, and are known as the “Rolls Royce” of cultured pearls.
While the white pearls are also priced by jewelers, the gold pearl variety is the most coveted color. The gold South sea pearl's color can range from creamy white to deep gold, and the darker the color, the more expensive it becomes.
In general, pearls are not a gift. Giving pearls to someone, whether a bride or a just a romantic gesture later on in the marriage, can be seen as a bad omen inviting sadness into their life. When giving gifts, stick to stones over pearls to make the right impression and avoid superstitions.