Pearl Jewellery Guide | Using and Caring for Pearl Jewellery
Classic pearls delight from decade to decade with their shimmering mother-of-pearl surface. However, pearls are very soft and their surface can be easily damaged. The cleaning and proper use of pearls differ significantly from other gemstones. By taking good care of your pearl jewellery, you will significantly extend its lifespan.
Using Pearl Jewellery
The most important rule of thumb for wearing pearl jewellery is this: put on your pearl jewellery last and take it off first. The mother-of-pearl surface is sensitive to chemicals, so all cosmetics, such as moisturisers, hairspray and perfumes, should be applied before putting on pearl jewellery. Pearl jewellery should therefore be the very last thing you put on!
Pearls naturally contain some moisture, and they appreciate the moisture secreted by the skin. So pearls are everyday jewellery! Regular use is an excellent way to care for pearl jewellery and extend its lifespan.
Do not wear pearl jewellery on the same wrist as a watch, as hard metal can easily scratch the surface of the pearl. Pearl jewellery should not be worn in the shower, when swimming, or submerged in dishwater. Water chemicals, such as chlorine in swimming pools or strong detergents in dishwater, will damage the pearl surface. In addition, water dissolves the jewellery glue used to reinforce the settings of many pearl jewellery, so continuous contact with water may cause the pearl to detach. Pearls also do not tolerate heat, which is why they should not be worn in the sauna or while sunbathing.
Storing Pearl Jewellery
The best place to store pearl jewellery is a silk or velvet jewellery pouch. Pearl jewellery should be stored separately from other jewellery, as metals, for example, can easily scratch the delicate surface of a pearl. Pearl jewellery should not be stored in airtight boxes or moisture-absorbing fabrics such as cotton bags, to prevent the pearls from drying out. Pearl necklaces should also not be stored on a stand, as this wears out the silk thread running inside the pearls.
Cleaning Pearl Jewellery
Pearls should always be gently wiped with a soft cloth after use. A pearl necklace can be washed a few times a year with lukewarm and very mild soapy water. Dirt accumulated between the pearls of a pearl necklace can be gently brushed with a soft brush. After washing, the pearls should be rinsed thoroughly, dried with a soft cloth, and allowed to dry on a flat surface, so that the pearl silk inside the pearls also dries as well as possible. Pearl earrings often use jewellery glue to reinforce the setting, which is why they should not be washed with water, but only wiped with a dry cloth.
Maintenance of Pearl Jewellery
The pearl silk in pearl necklaces stretches over time and the necklace loosens, and may eventually even break. Therefore, it is a good idea to take a pearl necklace to a goldsmith to be re-strung from time to time, especially if the necklace is worn frequently. A pearl necklace can be strung either directly onto a thread or with knots. Knotting prevents the pearls from rubbing against each other and wearing out, and it also adds vivacity to the pearl necklace. A good thing about knotting is also that if the necklace breaks, only one pearl can fall off. A carefully strung necklace therefore lasts a long time and looks beautiful!
In addition to re-stringing, pearl jewellery can also be taken to a goldsmith for cleaning. Goldsmiths can also replace worn pearls in a necklace and re-glue earring pearls.
You can bring your pearl jewellery to any Kulta-Aika store for goldsmith maintenance.