CARING FOR PEARLS

Pearls can keep their beautiful lustre for centuries if they are cared for in the correct way.

Proper care of pearls is not difficult, and it is merely a matter of remembering that these gems are organic by nature, grown in water from living cells of a living creature. Like the oysters which formed them, they require moisture... but because they usually are worn on a silk string which will deteriorate when wet, the pearls will need to be re-strung more frequently if they are taken for a swim in salt or fresh water. Never expose to chlorinated water. Like their "organic" owners, pearls are prone to damage from pollution and injury and excessive heat.

1. STORE PEARLS SEPARATELY from other jewellery, in a cloth bag or jewellery pouch. This is necessary because gemstones or other jewellery can easily scratch the pearls.

2. APPLY COSMETICS, PERFUME AND SPRAY PRODUCTS FIRST, before putting pearl jewellery on. Also do not let your pearls come in contact with sun creams or insect repellents.

3. REMOVE SPILLS IMMEDIATELY if pearls come in contact with food acids. Use a soft cloth moistened in fresh water and clean immediately. Dry the pearls with another soft cloth.

4. WIPE PEARLS AFTER WEAR, using a soft cloth. Avoid commercial jewellery cleaners unless specified safe for usage on pearls on the label.

5. RE-STRING pearls regularly, for the sake of the pearls as well as to avoid a broken string. Makeup, powder and grime will form a soft, gluey paste on the string, attacking both the silk and the pearls.

WHAT TO AVOID
• Perspiration.
• Acids in the skin and elsewhere.
• Makeup, skin creams and sunscreens.
• Perfume.
• Hairspray and insect repellent.
• Talcum powder.
• Dust and grit.
• Ultrasonic cleaners.
• Steam cleaning.
• Soap.
• Detergent.
• Chlorinated water in shower or pool.
• Scratches from crystalline gemstones and metallic jewellery.
• Dehydration from being wrapped in cotton wool or from exposure to light and heat.
• The dinner table with a variety of acidic hazards from vinegar to salad dressing to fruit juice.
• The kitchen with all those acidic ingredients and the high heat used in cooking. Pearls will tolerate temperatures up to 100°C for a short time, but hot fat and stove/oven temperatures often reach a very damaging 180°C!
For the same reason, pearls should not be stored near a radiator or a sunny window.

DO NOT CLEAN PEARLS WITH
-commercial jewelry cleaners
-an ultrasonic cleaner
-steam
-detergents
-bleaches
-powdered cleansers
-baking soda
-ammonia based cleansers
-toothbrushes
-scouring pads or abrasives

Proper care and cleaning will keep your pearls lustrous and beautiful for many years.