Pearl Care

Pearls are an organic gemstone and are more soft and delicate than other gemstones and precious metals; therefore they can be scratched and damaged more easily. Substances such as perfume and hair spray, even natural body oils and perspiration, can dull pearls' luster or cloud their brilliance.

For these reasons, your pearls may require a bit of special care.

It's a good idea to apply perfume, hair spray, and other cosmetics before putting on your pearls. This way you can minimize the amount of contact between these products that come your pearls. Your pearls should be the very last thing you put on.

After wearing your pearls, wipe them with a soft damp cloth to remove any traces of cosmetic products or body oils. Wash the pearls periodically with a mild soap and a soft cloth, to remove any accumulated build-up. Avoid getting the thread of your pearl strand wet because it may cause it to be stretched.

Because of their delicacy, pearls should be stored separately, away from hard jewelry items, to prevent scratches or other damage. If possible, store them wrapped in soft cloth or in a soft-lined container, pouch, or jewelry box.

To prevent strand breakage, it's a good idea to have your pearls restrung periodically, perhaps once a year or so if you wear them often. Knotting the strand between each pearl will prevent all of the pearls from falling off the strand in the event the strand breaks. Also, knotting prevents the pearls from rubbing against one another and causing damage.

A little bit of care can go a long way toward insuring that your pearls remain safe, lustrous, beautiful and perfect for years to come!