Caring for Pearls

Nothing screams class more than a beautiful string of pearls or a set of natural pearl earrings, however maintaining that stature can be difficult. It is important to take great care of your precious gemstones. Because many are natural in creation, various proteins and water exhibit within them which makes maintenance especially important. They are very sensitive to heat and various chemicals in the atmosphere.

First of all, you should clean them every time you wear them. Ultimately, a swip of baby oil or olive oil on a q-tip will do the trick. Keeping the gems moisture will prevent them from drying and deteriorating. Many people also use salt water when rinsing the gems as well.

When storing your pearls, always keep them in a pouch, a velvet one at that. By placing your pearls on top of other things in your box, you risk the chance of them being scratched or ruined. Do not do this!! When wearing these items, your skin has a natural acid that will transfer itself to the pearls, thus cleaning continuously is even more important. Carrying a soft cloth with you at all times allow you a free mind in providing proper care to your treasured jewels.

Other things that can potentially damage your pearls are lemon juice, perfumes or vinegar. Also, storing pearls in a safe is a bad idea; dry air exists within these boxes and can damage your precious pearls. If you use a cleaner, make sure that it is specified for pearls. Never use bleaches or other cleansers or baking sodas. Never use anything abrasive or a toothbrush when polishing; they can all cause scratches. Never hang pearls to dry or when applying perfume, hairspray or while swimming and/or showering.

Once you have had your pearls for six months or more, you can go to a jewelry professional to have them mounted and to assure that the string is strong and good. This will continue to maintain their value and guarantee a great wear continuously. Many jewelers will do this consultations with you for free, so take advantage of the knowledge and work towards keeping your pearls looking good all the time! Keeping one's pearl clean may seem self-explanatory, but without proper research one could potentially ruin their precious gemstones. By following all of the suggestions above, you can help guarantee a long-lasting string of pearls for a lifetime.