Pearl - Beautiful Jewelry, Special Care

Various Raw Pearls

Pearl jewelry has a unique beauty due to the way in which the pearl is created. To help keep its brilliance, you can do a few things to store them properly and ensure their value across lifetimes.

First, a dedicated jewelry box or specific drawer or compartment is a great way to safely store your pearls, especially if you keep them in a cloth pouch.  The most important point is to not them come in contact with other pieces of jewelry (including each other!).

Because pearls are an organic stone, they need humidity to keep them from getting too dry and becoming brittle and susceptible to cracking or fractures. This doesn’t mean you need to keep them in a humidor, but if you do store them in a closed box, be sure you wear them or take them out frequently to “air out” in the outside moisture, especially if you live in a very dry climate.

Avoid keeping your pearls by a heat source, in plastic, or among hard jewelry pieces, as they can be easily scratched. And never let them sit in the sunlight for long periods of time or be exposed to other sources of high temperatures. And if you’re inclined do to the laundry or wash dishes, while wearing your pearls, remove them to avoid contact with common household detergents.

In addition to household detergents, don’t let you pearls come in direct contact with your perfume and hairspray:  the alcohol and acids can be damaging to the translucence.  Similarly, perspiration can dull a pearl’s luster. Do not use normal jewelry cloths on your pearls, as they contain chemicals that damage the pearl.

Use cleaning products & cloths that are made specifically for pearls. Be sure to wipe your pearl’s with a dampened cloth after cleaning them, and lay them on a soft cloth to dry, never hang them if on a necklace:  if the string is wet, the weight of the pearl’s will stretch the string (usually made of silk). Likewise, do not swim or bathe in a pearl necklace.  (Want to know a common household item that will quickly dissolve a pearl?  Vinegar, due to its high acid content!)

Speaking of the silk string, it will need to be replaced over time due to stretching.  A professional jeweler can take care of the re-stringing.

Ever wonder what makes a pearl so lustrous? As you probably know, pearls are created in mollusks when an irritant gets inside the shell. The mollusk creates a pearl sac to seal off the irritant as a defense mechanism.  As the mollusk adds layers, these layers reflect light, the tighter the layers the better the diffusion of light.  Natural pearls are very rare and have the tightest layering.  Cultured pearls are grown on farms, either in salt or fresh water lagoons using specific “pearl oysters” and are the most common for jewelry; these can be died in various colors, such as pink.

Below is a great place to keep your pearled jewelry, the large, divided drawers and huge necklace cabinets keep them safely separated.  You can find other examples of safe jewelry storage here.

Pearls will always be a popular piece of jewelry.  With the right storing and cleaning, they can easily be handed down across generations!

Large Standing Jewelry Armoire

How to Care for Cultured and Freshwater Pearls

The beauty of the cultured and the freshwater pearl is the natural luster and shine. Preserving that luster is easy when you properly care for your pearls.  Here are some tips on how to care for your pearls so that you get the longest usage out of them so as to enjoy for many years to come.

Whether you have genuine cultured pearls or semi-precious fresh water pearls, they are a natural stone that can be easily damaged. Never allow your pearls to be in contact with sweat, vinegar, hairsprays, cosmetics, perfumes, bleaches or anything that is not natural in nature.  Before and after you wear your pearls, wipe them with a soft, damp cloth to remove any oils or dirt that can occur when wearing your pearls. Using any type of commercial jewelry cleaner will damage your pearls so only use fresh clean water when wiping them off.

Pearls are also very fragile and can easily be scratched by other hard gems such as diamonds and settings from rings or clasps from necklaces.  Store them in a soft pouch; wrap them in a soft cloth or individually in a jewelry box in its own lined compartment.  Take care to keep the clasp away from the pearl. Since pearls are a natural organic gem, they need air and moisture so they do not crack, therefore never store your pearls in a plastic bag or any sealed bag or box.

When wearing your pearls, put them on after dressing and applying any makeup so that they do not come into contact with any other chemical additive. Also make sure to remove your pearls while you are exercising as perspiration is caustic to a pearl.

If you love your pearls and wear them often, as you should, they will continue to have the beautiful shine and luster that makes the pearl a favorite gem of many women.  When caring for your necklaces, check the silk cord often for damage and wear.  You should have them re strung on a yearly basis to insure that they remain safe and the knots between the pearls remain taut.

Pearls have been a classic staple in women's jewelry for years.  Caring for your pearls only takes a few additional steps but taking he time to maintain and treat your pearls well will bring you many years of beauty to enjoy.

by Jasmine Yesak, Contributing Editor at ChasingTreasure.com, online retailer of quality jewelry boxes, jewelry organizers and watch boxes. Jasmine is a Jewelry Enthusiast and Organization Consultant, she writes about Jewelry Care and Jewelry Storage Tips.

Pearl Care and Jewelry Storage

Pearls are prized for their natural beauty and require proper storage and care to retain their natural luster. It's important to store pearls in a dedicated jewelry box, a soft cloth pouch, or in a lined jewelry compartment in your larger jewelry box where they will not come into contact with other jewelry.

Since pearls are an organic gemstone they require moisture to keep them from becoming dry and brittle. If your pearls are stored in a closed box, take them out periodically to avoid dehydration.

Pearls should not be stored in plastic, near heat, or near other hard jewelry items that could scratch them. Never leave them in direct sunlight or expose them to high temperatures. Pearl jewelry should always be removed before using household detergents like laundry soap or dishwasher soap.

While wearing your pearls, perfume and hairspray should not be used because the alcohol and harmful acids can damage them. Perspiration can also harm the beauty of pearls, dulling their beautiful luster. They should be wiped with a damp (not wet) cloth after each wear. Avoid conventional jewelry cloths that are chemically treated. They contain harsh chemicals that could damage the surface of the pearl. Use only cleaning products and cloths designed specifically for cleaning pearls.

To keep your pearls clean, wash them with a cloth dipped in mild detergent and water, or with a cleaner made specifically for pearls. Then, dampen a cloth with water only and wipe the pearls again. The pearls should be lain flat, not hung, to dry. If the string is wet, hanging them could cause it to stretch. Never wear your pearls while the string is damp or wet.

The silk string of your pearl strand will need to be replaced over time. Take them to a professional jeweler for restringing. Be careful not to get pearl strands wet or wear them while swimming or bathing, because water can weaken and stretch the silk thread.

Pearls will continue to be a favorite jewelry choice, complimenting both classic and contemporary styles. With proper storage and cleaning, they will retain their natural beauty for years to come.