How to Clean Pearl Jewelry Properly: Quick Tips
Here’s how you can care for your pearls at home without dulling the shine:
- Gently wipe the pearls with a soft, damp cloth to remove any oils or dirt every time you take them off.
- Store pearls in boxes lined with silk or velvet, and keep them away from other jewelry. Don't use airtight containers.
- Keep pearls away from chemicals such as household cleaners, chlorine, and even acidic foods like vinegar. These can erode the pearl's surface, dulling their shine.
- Don't wear pearls while swimming or showering. Even though pearls come from the sea, they should never be soaked in water once they become jewelry.
PEARL JEWELRY SPOTLIGHT
9.0–11.0mm Golden South Sea Pearl Necklace.
We always suggest re-stringing pearl necklaces regularly for best security. However, our South Sea pearls are hand-strung with high-quality silk thread and individually knotted, providing excellent durability and protection.
What Makes Pearl Jewelry Unique?
Before we go directly into cleaning tips, it's crucial to know what makes pearl jewelry special. Pearls are known as the June birthstone, and pearl jewelry is a classic piece that people love for its simple beauty and elegance. There’s something magical about pearls. Unlike other diamonds or sapphires that form deep inside the earth, pearls are much softer than most gemstones because they're grown inside living oysters and mussels. Pearls are created from layers of nacre (also called mother-of-pearl), which is part of what makes their glow so special — but it also means harsh chemicals and rough surfaces can take that glow away. Treat them gently, and they’ll reward you with that dreamy luster for years.
How to Clean Pearl Jewelry Safely at Home?
Wondering how to clean pearls and whether you need special products to care for them? Here's the answer: You don't. These organic gems don't need any fancy cleansers or complicated steps. A soft cloth, some mild soap, and lukewarm water are enough for routine care.
- Gently wipe pearls after each wear: Pearls will lose their shine if sweat, skincare products, or perfume sit on their surface for too long. After every wear, wipe pearls gently with a soft, dry microfiber cloth. This will help remove oils and keep pearl jewelry shiny.
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Avoid soaking pearls in water. Even though pearls come from the sea, they should never be submerged in water once they become jewelry. When water is present in excessive amounts on the surface of a pearl, the moisture absorbs carbon dioxide or nitric oxide in the air and becomes acidic, which can lead to gradual disintegration of calcium carbonate and loss of pearl luster.
- Use a mild soap solution: If pearls are extremely dirty, the safest method is a mixture of lukewarm water and mild soap. Dampen a soft cloth with the solution and gently wipe the pearls, and keep the string as dry as possible. After cleaning, dry them carefully with a soft, dry cloth.
What Causes Pearls to Change Color?
Pearls are different from other jewels since they come from living mollusks, which makes them a unique type of biomineral. Calcium carbonate is not the only thing that makes them up; they also have organic compounds like conchiolin and pigments. Any change in the qualities of these parts can also impact how a pearl looks and how long it lasts. Color change is one of the most noticeable effects on pearl quality.
Here are some factors that can cause pearl color changes:
- Light: The ultraviolet rays can change conchiolin to a yellowish color, gradually causing the body color of a pearl to develop a yellowish tone.
- Heat: Incremental temperature increases, up to a maximum of 100°C do not cause severe damage. However, when temperature fluctuations occur rapidly in a short period of time, the expansion and contraction of nacre as it shifts between cold and hot conditions produces cracked pearls.
- Collision and abrasion: pearls are a soft mineral with Moh's hardness of 3.5-4.5, any collisions and abrasions damage the nacre and downgrade overall pearl quality.
- Acid and alkali: as the pearl mainly consists of calcium carbonate, this disintegrates when it comes into contact with acid, even in mild amounts. Continuously or intermittently over an extended period of time, calcium crystals are gradually corroded, causing a roughening of surface quality.
- Water: when water is present in excessive amounts on the surface of a pearl, the moisture absorbs carbon dioxide or nitric oxide in the air and becomes acidic, which can lead to gradual disintegration of calcium carbonate and loss of pearl luster.
- Oxidation and reduction reagents: hydrogen peroxide and sodium hypochlorite mainly act on conchiolin, leading to color changes.
To protect your pearls, don't:
- Wearing pearls while swimming, showering, or engaging in activities that could expose them to sweat or harsh chemicals.
- Using bleach, ammonia, vinegar, or other strong substances on pearls.
- Scrubbing or rubbing too hard when cleaning pearls.
PEARL JEWELRY SPOTLIGHT
Black Tahitian Pearl Pendant
The fun part comes after you clean and polish your pearls: styling them. Our shop collections make it easy to put together sets of your favorite pearl pieces that look great together. Each curated style is meant to give you fresh ideas on how to wear your pearls every day. They range from classic necklaces and pearl earrings to trendy layering and mixed metals. Find out how flexible pearl jewelry can be by trying out classic combinations that can easily go from casual to elegant.
Additional Tips for Caring for Pearls
- Wear Pearls Last: Pearl jewelry should always be worn at the very final stage of dressing. If eau de cologne or other alcohol sprays are sprayed on a pearl necklace, earrings, or ring, the traces linger on the pearl's surface and cause damage over time. Regular contact with dusty items like make-up powders can also harm pearls. As a rule, "Pearls last" is a wonderful slogan to follow.
- Re-stringing pearls regularly: The silk thread that holds pearl necklaces and bracelets together naturally weakens over time, especially if you wear them frequently. Re-stringing pearls every one to three years is an excellent way to keep your jewelry in good condition. The process keeps them safe from accidental breakage and also allows you to change the fit, design, or length to match your style.
- Never use ultrasonic cleaners: Because these devices are designed for harder gemstones, and the vibrations can cause damage to the nacre layers of pearls.
- Store pearl jewelry separately. Keeping pearls away from other gemstones can prevent scratches. Also, using a soft pouch or a lined jewelry box will keep your pearls safe from damage and keep them looking like new when you're not using them. Do not store pearls in plastic bags, as they can emit chemicals that damage the pearls over time.
- Humidity Control: When pearls experience extreme dryness, the nacre is liable to crack. To prevent pearls from drying out, adequate levels of moisture are essential. Store them in a slightly humid environment, but avoid excessive dampness, which can lead to mold or mildew.
Final Thoughts
Caring for pearl jewelry really isn’t complicated. Once you get into the habit, it becomes second nature — a quick wipe here, a soft place to store them there. Pearls love a little attention, that’s all. And honestly, the more you wear them, the prettier they look.
If you take a moment to clean them gently and check the string every so often, your pearls will stay gorgeous for years — long enough to become something you pass down one day. I’ve seen customers bring in pieces from their mothers or grandmothers, and with just a bit of care, they still look amazing.
It doesn’t matter if you wear your pearls every day or only take them out for fancy dinners — just treat them with a bit of love. They’ll keep that lovely, soft glow that always gets compliments. Pearls aren’t just accessories; they’re like tiny memory keepers, and that’s exactly why they deserve good care.