PEARL CARE

Since pearls are somewhat softer and more delicate than other gemstones and precious metals, they can be more easily scratched, cracked, and damaged. Prevention is key. Additionally, cleaning and proper storing of pearls will go a long way to keep your pearls beautiful. Finally, an annual check-up is a good idea to check the state of the silk cord and the clasp.

PROTECTION

The beauty of a pearl is in its luster. Any marring of the surface of the pearl will diminish the luster, thereby reducing the beauty of the pearl. Because pearls are relatively soft gemstones, their surface is susceptible to damage from hard objects, substances containing acid, alkaline, ammonia, alcohol, and chlorine, as well as over-exposure to arid environments (i.e., air conditioning, desert climates) and ultra-violet rays.

Potential damage can occur from the following:

• Hard Objects – Bracelets and rings are especially in danger of being struck against hard objects. Take care when wearing them to avoid cracking or chipping your pearls.
•  Surface Contaminants & Chemicals – Cosmetics, sun block, lotion, perfume, hair spray, other hair products, body oils and perspiration, household cleaners, and even food and beverages may contain acid, alkaline, ammonia, alcohol, and/or chlorine. These substances may cloud the luster of the pearl or, in more severe cases of damage, even etch or pit the surface. Take care not to get these substances on your pearls.
  • Immediately wipe off any of these types of substances should they get on your pearls to reduce the chance of surface damage, and, as soon as it is possible, clean them more thoroughly in the Spa Tub.
  • Remember: All Pearls Last On – First Off. Wait 30 minutes after applying personal care products to put on pearls. And then, remember to remove your pearls before removing make-up.
  • Remove pearl jewelry before exercising to avoid contact with perspiration.
  • Remove pearl rings before you apply lotion, sun block, etc. o Do not wear pearls in chlorinated swimming pools, spas, etc., as the chlorine is harmful to pearls. Also, strands of pearls strung on a silk cord should not be worn if the silk cord gets wet, as it will stretch.
•  Arid Climates and High Temperatures – Arid climates (i.e., deserts, air-conditioned rooms, safes) and extended exposure to high temperature environments usually lack the humidity necessary to keep pearls from drying out and cracking over a period of time. Excessive heat will cause pearls to discolor, even turn brown. Pearls like humidity. Pearls do very well when worn regularly because of the humidity of the body.
  • Provide humidity when pearls are kept in air-conditioned environments. Safes and safety deposit boxes are too arid for pearls. Put a moistened cloth/sponge in an open jar in the safe with the pearls. Hint: Hang pearls in a compartmentalized lingerie bag on the back of the bathroom door for a daily dose of humidity resulting from bathtub or shower use.
  • Provide humidity when pearls must be in high temperatures (i.e., in a suitcase in a car) for an extended period of time by placing a slightly moistened cloth near the pearls. While water will not harm your pearls, a dampened silk cord will stretch if worn or hung while damp. Should the cord become damp, be sure to lay the strand of pearls flat on a soft cloth to fully air dry. (Note: Never use a blow dryer to quicken the drying process, as it will become too hot for the pearls!) 
  • Never leave your pearls on a television set, fireplace mantel, a radiator, or any other such place, nor wear them while blow drying your hair, as they will discolor or turn brown from the heat.
•  Ultra-violet rays - Over-exposure to UV rays, such as that which would come from allowing pearls to sit in direct sunlight day after day, may result in damage to the pearl's surface, as well as to the silk cord.
  • Keep out of direct sunlight when not being worn.

SPA TREATMENT GUIDE

• A compartmentalized jewelry case with soft lining is ideal, so each piece of pearl jewelry can have its own compartment. However, a roomy jewelry case will suffice, so long as the pearl jewelry is not getting bumped and pushed around by other objects, especially metal jewelry.
• Storing individual pearl jewelry pieces in a jewelry pouch, such as the Soft-Suede Pearl Pouch, is a great way to protect your pearls.
• For air-conditioned homes: Try keeping your pearls in a jewelry case in the bathroom. Leave it open during bathtub or shower use to give them a regular dose of humidity. Pearls can also be laid in a compartmentalized lingerie bag and hung on the back of the bathroom door.
• When traveling, a jewelry pouch, such as the Soft-Suede Pearl Pouch, is a great way to protect your pearls. Ideally, use one pouch per jewelry item (i.e., earrings in one pouch, a pearl ring in another, a pearl strand in another, etc.) to reduce unnecessary contact with metal earring backs, shanks, clasps, etc.
• Safes or safety deposit boxes are too arid for pearls. Provide humidity when pearls must be kept in a low humidity or air-conditioned environment, such as a safe or a safety deposit box. Place a wet cloth/sponge in an open jar in the safe with the pearls to add humidity to the air.

 CHECK-UP

Strands of pearls strung on a silk cord should get an annual check-up to check for wear and/or loosening of the silk cord and/or clasp. If your strand of pearls is worn frequently, annual restringing is highly advisable. Why not use this as an opportunity to change the clasp for a different look?

For a printable version of
 The Pearl Doctor's Pearl Care Information,
click on the link below.
Pearl Care Info PDF

Pearl Spa Kit Instruction PDF