It can be argued that pearls are truly the most elegant and flattering of all gemstones. Their unique lustre and natural beauty are captivating. However, these exquisite gems are also inherently delicate and require special care to maintain their radiant glow for generations.

While stunningly beautiful, pearls are not particularly tough. Measuring a mere 2.5 on the Moh’s Hardness Scale (compared to a diamond’s top score of 10), you can appreciate just how soft and delicate they truly are.

But the fact that they are soft and need careful maintenance does not mean they are so precious they cannot be worn regularly. In fact, you can confidently wear your pearl jewellery every single day! Think of the late Queen Elizabeth II, who famously wore her favourite pearls for many decades during public engagements. We are certain they were meticulously maintained between wearings, demonstrating that with proper care, pearls can indeed survive for many years. In fact, they can last centuries as demonstrated by the famous large La Peregrina pearl. We explored this gem in our History of Pearls article, was discovered in the late 16th Century and later gifted to Elizabeth Taylor by Richard Burton—many hundreds of years after its discovery!

Without proper care and attention, the silk thread on which your pearl necklace or pearl bracelet is strung may perish (this is why you should never get pearls wet, as the string can remain damp, potentially damaging the pearls). The pearls themselves can become irrevocably damaged, their famous lustre diminished beyond repair. Sadly, many jewellers find they cannot resell second-hand pearls due to improper care.

This is unfortunate, because pearls are so beautiful, and it's truly not difficult to care for them. Just a few cautionary steps in storing, wearing, and cleaning will ensure your pearls retain their quality and lustre for a very long time. Our guidelines below offer comprehensive advice on how to care for pearls and maintain your treasured pearl jewellery.

How to Care For Your Pearl Jewellery

Maintaining the beauty of your pearls revolves around three key areas: avoiding damaging substances, proper cleaning, and careful storage.

Avoid Beauty Preparations and Perfume

Beauty products, lotions, and potions often contain alcohol and other chemicals that are extremely damaging to pearls. This is especially true for perfumes. Never spray perfume or hairspray after you put on your pearls. Instead, apply any chemicals and allow them to completely evaporate or dry before adorning your pearl necklace, pearl earrings, or pearl bracelet. Avoid direct contact between pearls and skin that has recently had lotions or perfumes applied.

Avoid Moisture

As we've mentioned, getting your pearls wet can be detrimental. Do not shower, bathe, or swim in your pearl jewellery. If your pearls are strung or glued, never submerge them in jewellery cleaning fluid (even those labelled suitable for pearls). The silk thread commonly used to string pearls can stay wet, potentially blackening and causing unsightly marks on the pearls themselves. If your pearls are glued, moisture can weaken the adhesive, causing them to come loose from their setting.

Instead, clean your pearls by gently wiping them with a damp (never wet), soft cloth. Thoroughly dry them immediately afterwards. This gentle wiping will remove any traces of perspiration (which attracts dirt) and chemicals that may have inadvertently transferred onto the pearls' surface.

Removing Your Pearls Gently

Always remove your pearls with care, holding the chain or setting rather than pulling directly on the pearl itself. Pearls are often glued, screwed, or pinned in place, and you want to maintain the integrity of their setting. Similarly, if your pearl necklace or pearl bracelet has a magnetic clasp, hold the clasp and the joint where it meets the main piece to open it, rather than pulling on the pearls or chain.

Storing Your Pearls Correctly

Given how soft a pearl is, contact with other, harder gemstones can easily scratch and damage their delicate surface. Chemicals and strong sunlight can also cause their colour to fade.

Therefore, always store your pearl jewellery separately in a soft cloth pouch or a fabric-lined jewellery box, away from other pieces that could cause abrasions. While plastic, sealed bags are often sensible for other jewellery, they can seal out moisture and potentially dry out your pearls, leading to cracking or peeling of the nacre (the beautiful outer layer).

Regular Maintenance: Restringing

To ensure the longevity of your pearls, it is ideally recommended to have your pearl necklace or pearl bracelet restrung every one to two years. Larger, heavier pearls may stretch silk threads more quickly and might require restringing sooner. This simple maintenance step prevents breakages and keeps your pearls securely in place.

For information on how to care for Mother of Pearl jewellery, which is different from cultured or natural pearls, please refer to our separate post Mother of Pearl here.

To Sum Up…

Looking after your treasured pearl jewellery is neither hard nor laborious, and the small amount of effort involved will significantly extend their life and preserve their exquisite beauty. Dull, grubby, or discoloured pearls on dirty thread can detract from their inherent elegance. By following these straightforward care guidelines, you'll ensure your pearls maintain their quality and renowned lustre, allowing them to be cherished for many generations to come. Explore our timeless collection of pearl necklaces, pearl earrings, and pearl rings at Carathea, crafted to be enjoyed for a lifetime.