Caring for Pearls

Cultured, South Sea, Natural and Fresh Water pearls are all organic gems and require specialized care.

Today’s current hand care products can damage the pearls. If possible wash your hands in Ivory soap before handling your pearls. Other types of soaps have chemicals that could also damage the pearl’s luster.

Pearls should be the last thing you put on and the first thing you remove.

Never use hair spray or perfume after have put on your pearls.

If you get vinegar on your pearls say from oil and vinegar dressing remove them immediately and put them in a glass of water. This will stop the reaction of the acid from the vinegar on the nacre’ of the pearls.

Never use a toothbrush, detergents, bleach, baking soda or any ammonia based cleaner such as Windex.

Never use any type of ultrasonic cleaner.

Never store your pearls in any type of plastic bag.

Never store your pearls in a dry place or near a source of heat.

Always store your pearls in a pouch or a special box made for pearls. This is often called a pearl folder.

After wearing your pearls wipe them with a damp soft cloth before storing.

Always remember pearls are one of the most fragile of all the gems and their beauty can be damaged by mishandling. Their nacre’ can chip and it can peel like an onion. A pearl can be cracked and destroyed by a single blow.  

Pearls can be handed down from mother to daughter if you will keep these tips in mind.

"The pearl owes nothing to man. It is absolutely a gift of nature on which man cannot improve."

..quoted from the great gemologist of the late 19th century, George Fredrick Kunz