Other pearl jewelry: The principle is the same: use only a mild soap and a natural bristle brush, then rinse with cool water for at least five minutes. NEVER USE DETERGENTS, HOUSEHOLD CLEANERS, COMMERCIAL JEWELRY CLEANERS OR TARNISH REMOVERS ON PEARL JEWELRY.
For thorough cleaning, make a gentle solution of mild unscented soap and warm (not hot) water. We like to use 1/2 teaspoon of Dr. Bronner's baby soap in 2 cups of warm water. Dampen a very soft cloth in this soapy water and gently wipe down the pearls, drying thoroughly with a separate clean soft cloth.
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.
White pearls can yellow over time, but it is possible to brighten them up again. The acetone in nail polish remover can whiten old pearls and clean away stubborn stains.
Do not use vinegar, lemon, or baking soda because they contain acids which could erode and damage the nacre. 2. Then, with a different damp clean cloth, softly rub the pearls carefully to be sure any soap or residue has been thoroughly removed.
Acetone will not harm pearls, but never use ammonia, vinegar, or chlorine bleach near your pearls. These harsh liquids will react with the pearl coating and dissolve them. Wearing your pearls often and exposing them to moisture, your body oils, and heat also helps keeps them shiny.
Never clean your pearls with anything containing chlorine bleach, vinegar or ammonia (including Windex). All will harm pearls. Avoid anything other than water and soap (not detergent).
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.
To shine pearls, you can put a few drops of olive oil, coconut oil or monoi oil on the pearls, and then wipe them with a soft cloth to remove the excess oil. Pearls should be stored separately from other jewelry.
The qualities that determine the overall value of a natural or cultured pearl or a piece of pearl jewelry are size, shape, color, luster, surface quality, nacre quality, and—for jewelry with two or more pearls—matching.
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.
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 . When wet, the thread that holds the beads together begins to stretch and lengthen, so it quickly loses the desired shape.
We advise against coating your pearl with coconut oil or olive oil, as we have seen suggested, because this would only cause dust to stick to it. The most important thing to know is that the Tahitian Pearls contain 2% water. It is very important that this water remains in the pearls to avoid serious changes.
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.
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.
Leaving pearl jewelry in a security box for long periods may cause pearls to dehydrate, so enjoy them frequently. There is a saying that “pearls want to be worn,” and it is true. In the case of pearl rings, please be aware that these are only to be worn for dress and are not intended for everyday wear.
Pearl necklaces are typically strung in silk thread, and getting them wet can weaken the thread, so again, leave them out of the shower! I also don't recommend sleeping in pearl earrings or a pearl necklace.
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.
Your natural oils keep your pearls moisturised. The lustre (glow) of your pearls will improve when worn next to your skin. To keep them hydrated. A dry/airless atmosphere (like a sealed plastic bag in a safe) will dry them out, their surface will crack and they will turn yellow.
Pearls & Opals
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.
If you inherit a very old strand that look yellow, you may need to invest in a restringing but gently wash them and check out the results first. If your pearl feel gummy or sticky after washing, they may not be real pearls. To check and see if they are real, bring them in and we can inspect them for you.
In addition to sand (silica), which can be extremely abrasive, damp salt air, saltwater, and chlorine can be harmful to cultured pearls and gem coral.