The beauty of a pearl is in its luster.  Any marring of the surface of the pearl will diminish the luster, thereby reducing the beauty and value of the pearl.  Pearls are remarkably resistant but they are organic gems and not gemstones, and are far more susceptible to subtle daily damage:  they should always be worn with care.  Here are a few tips to help keep your pearls looking beautiful for years to come.

 

Pearl Daily Care :   Pearls are vulnerable to acid, alkaline and extremes of humidity (or more precisely, lack thereof). To preserve your pearls' luster, avoid letting them come into contact with cosmetics, hair spray, creams or perfume.  Always put on your jewelry as a final touch, after applying make-up and styling hair (avoid blow drying your hair while wearing pearls as the heat will damage them ). The pearl's luster can also be harmed by perspiration. To prevent this, after wearing pearls but before returning them to the jewelry box, wipe them gently with a soft cloth and avoid wearing pearls during sports.  Also, avoid a pearl's surface coming into contact with hard surfaces or sharp objects.  Pearls should be stored separately, (for necklaces, with the clasp closed), preferrable in a soft bag or wrapped in a soft cloth to avoid scratching from other jewelry.

 

Remember:   All Pearls Last On – First Off. Wait 30 minutes after applying personal care products to put on pearls. And then, remember to remove your pearls before removing make-up. Remove pearl rings before you apply lotion, sun block, etc.  Do not wear pearls in chlorinated swimming pools, spas, etc., as the chlorine is harmful to pearls' delicate nacre.

 

Pearls do like water and benefit from contact with humidity.  The old adage, 'pearls want to be worn" is true.  A pearls' lustre is enhanced from regular contact with the human skin and wiping with a damp cloth.  But be careful:  A strand of pearls strung on a silk cord should not be worn if the silk cord gets wet, as it will stretch and the silk may be weakened making the strand more liable to breakage.  If the strand does get wet do not hang it, but lay it flat away from any direct heat (never leave your pearls in direct sunlight as the uv rays will damage them) and DO NOT use a blowdryer.  Let the strand dry naturally.

 

As a final tip  regarding strands or necklaces, if you wear them regularly, it is often necessary to have them restrung annually before the silk breaks and you lose a precious pearl or two.

 

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