Pearls have been romanticized forever; a gift from the sea (or fresh water lake as the case might be) that has fascinated mankind for time out of mind. A grain of sand suffers a sea-change into something rich and strange’. What a lovely description for something so natural and precious.

Pearls are one of the soft’ gemstones that is easily scratched or damaged. Pearls themselves are a bead surrounded by nacre excreted by the oyster, a natural substance that renders any irritants contained within the oyster smooth and non-irritating to the oyster. 

Proper care and storage will keep your pearl looking luscious for a lifetime of well-paid for use. Keep your pearls in a soft cloth bag of some sort, like cotton or silk, but do not keep them in an air tight container. Your pearls need to breathe and be exposed to moisture in the air. Always put your pearls on after your perfume or cosmetics which can harm the surface of the pearl. You must protect your pearls from heat, heavy perspiration (i.e. no heavy exercising) and never wear them with scratchy clothing which can also damage them. 

After wearing your pearls (and do wear them often so they can absorb a little of your perspiration to remain lustrous), clean them with a hot, damp towel. Use a soft cloth to clean the knots in the string. This will remove any excess perspiration, cosmetics and perfume with which they may have come into contact. Don’t use any abrasive materials to clean your pearls. Do not immerse your pearls in water. 

 

 

Periodic washing is recommended by washing them in tepid water with a very mild soap such as Ivory. After washing and rinsing lay your pearls out on a towel to air dry and do not wear them until they, and any string connecting them, are dry. 

If you are fortunate enough to own pearls, treasure them for a lifetime and they will give you years of wearing pleasure.