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.
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.
They are particularly subject to deterioration from contact with chemicals, including components in household cleaners, perfumes, cosmetics and hair care products of all kinds. The surface of a pearl is soft and is easily damaged.
Avoid applying makeup, hairspray, lotion or perfume once your pearls are on. 2. Store them flat. While it's perfectly acceptable for most necklaces to be hung on a cute jewelry rack, your pearl strands should not be.
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.
For this reason, do not expose your pearls to cosmetics and other chemicals. For example, hairspray, perfume, acid from beverages, and even human sweat can damage pearls.
The Effect of Perfume on Pearl Jewellery
It wouldn't be wrong to say that peals are the most susceptible to damage from perfumes and hairsprays, when compared to gold, silver and diamonds. Not only can pearls suffer discolouration as a result of exposure to perfume, but they can also lose their texture and shine.
Not only can pearls be damaged by water, but there are other hazards that can affect pearls in the shower. For example, the soap, shampoo, conditioner, or oils you use in the shower contain chemicals that can further damage your pearl jewelry. In general, it's not a good idea to wear your pearl jewelry in the shower .
Should You Wear Pearls Every Day? There's a straightforward answer to this question. It's really up to you and what you're comfortable with. If you're someone who takes very good care of their belongings and is cautious with how you handle them, then wearing your pearls every day shouldn't be a problem.
Some liquid soaps, such as Dawn, can damage pearls. Pay attention to the areas around the drill holes where dirt may tend to collect. After washing your Pearls, lay them flat in a moist kitchen towel to dry.
Don't store your pearls in areas of direct sunlight. UV rays can damage your pearls. Don't attempt to clean your pearls with abrasives such as ammonia, baking soda or Windex. After wearing your pearls to avoid entangling, don't crumble them up and throw them in a drawer.
Hot water can permanently damage your pearls. Do not let your pearls soak in the water. Let the pearls and string dry out for 24 hours before wearing. Never wear your pearls when the string is still wet .
The Perils of Wetting Pearls
As the thread begins to stretch and lengthen, the pearls lose their shape. Furthermore, as the thread runs through the pearl, water can also cause internal damage, leading to the breakdown of the pearl's internal composition.
Pearls and opals are both soft stones and require more gentle methods. Stay away from toothpaste, ammonia, baking soda, vinegar, or anything too acidic or abrasive, as they can scratch or damage your pearls. Warm water with a bit of dish soap will get the job done, but do not let your pearls or opals soak in water.
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.
Worn often and properly cared for, pearls can look as good in 50 years as they did the day they left the store. Pearls are not the most durable of gems. Most everyday items at home and in the office are tougher than pearls, so careless contact can cause damage them over time. Chemicals are the primary threat.
Gemini: For those born under Gemini, the Moon governs the second house, which is associated with speech. Hence, it is advised not to wear pearls as it may cause physical and mental stress. Leo: The twelfth house is ruled by the Moon in Leo ascendants, making it unfavorable to wear pearls.
Should you notice that your necklace or earring pearls are peeling it is important you take them to a reputable jeweler to let them inspect them more? The problem is that once your pearls have become damaged or your pearls are peeling, they cannot be repaired.
Do not submerge your pearls in water - no showers, no dishes, no swimming. The chlorine in the water will eat away at the epoxy securing the pearls to their mountings, and soaking the silk your pearls are strung on causes it to stretch out and break early.
The process leaves a small amount of translucent, gel-like material on the surface. "The calcium carbonate in a pearl reacts with the acetic acid in vinegar to produce calcium acetate, water and carbon dioxide," Jones wrote in the current issue of the Classical World journal, detailing her research.
*Pearls deteriorate over time, and even with proper care, the smaller ones generally last 150 to 200 years (depending on the thickness of that nacre)... but in 2012, scientists found a single pearl in a gravesite overseas, that was dated at 7500 years old.
Pearls are organic and natural gemstones that do not react well to chemicals. For this reason please avoid direct exposure to chemicals found in hairsprays, body lotions, perfumes, soaps, shampoos, pools etc.
Pearls are a porous gemstone. This means that they can absorb oils and acids easily, which over time can lead to damaged and discolored nacre. Knowing how to clean and maintain your pearls means that you can keep them looking lustrous and true to color for decades to come.
Pearls are the world's only organic gems, which means special attention is required to ensure that pearls will stay beautiful and will last a lifetime. The best advice we can give you is to wear your pearls as often as possible -- the body's natural oils keep pearls lustrous.