Pearl is seen as a symbol of purity since ancient times. Baby girls have been wearing pearls for their baptisms and brides for their weddings for ages. But, purity is not the only special thing about pearls. They are also known for their elegance. Despite the availability of myriads of jewelry options, pearl jewelry has not lost its sheen yet. Pearl jewelry can ‘dress up’ even the most casual outfit and give you a sophisticated, elegant, and classy look.
A piece of pearl jewelry never disappoints in adding sophistication to your look if you keep them clean and maintain its natural luster. Let us show you how you can clean your freshwater pearl necklace and take the best care of them so that they can take the best care of your looks when worn.
Why Does Pearl Jewelry Need Cleaning?
Baroque pearls are alkaline-natured soft gemstones that can lose their shine and luster when they come in contact with any acidic material. You might have been advised to put on your pearl jewelry at last when your perfume and makeup have been dried. It is because any cosmetic material such as hairspray, cosmetics, perfumes, etc. can damage natural pearls.
So, your pearl necklace or other pieces of jewelry need regular cleaning to save them from any accidental damage caused due to acidic chemicals. If you accidentally splash something acidic on your pearl jewelry do clean it up as soon as possible.
How Do You Clean Pearls or Pearl Jewelry
Whether you buy baroque pearls or freshwater pearls for jewelry making or any jewelry made out of pearl, you need to know how to clean them. Cleaning pearls is not a tough task but you need to be careful so that you don’t damage the outer layer of this soft gemstone. Simply removing dust and dirt from the outer layer of the pearl is enough to maintain its natural shine.
Ideally, you should gently wipe your pearl necklace, earrings, or any other piece of jewelry with a soft cotton cloth. A piece of chamois leather can also be used for softly cleaning pearl jewelry. If you want to give your jewelry some deep cleaning you can use lukewarm water mixed with a gentle soap. The outer layer of pearls can be damaged easily so it is best to avoid any harsh chemical solution for cleaning them.
What to Avoid for Pearl Necklace Cleaning
As stated above, pearls need to be saved from any harsh chemicals. So, you cannot use any chemical like detergent or dishwasher, etc. Using these things will rob your pearl jewelry of its natural shine and luster. In fact, they can also discolor your jewelry and make them look completely dull.
You should also avoid using any jewelry cleaning agent for your pearl jewelry unless the product clearly states that it is meant for cleaning pearl or baroque pearls.
Taking Care of Your Pearl Necklace While Storing
Once you clean up your pearl jewelry, you will want to store them securely. You must know that storing a piece of pearl jewelry requires a different technique than storing other pieces of jewelry like gold and silver. Pearl requires moisture to remain in the right condition so if you store them in an air-tight container it may get cracks.
High temperatures can also cause breakage in pearls. So, avoid storing your pearl jewelry in a place that can easily get hot. High temperature and lack of moisture both are not good for freshwater pearls of any variety. If the pearl is cultured the risk of splitting, discoloration, and cracking increases a bit as compared to the non-cultured varieties.
You must store your pearl jewelry in a container that isn’t air-tight. This will help your pearl jewelry to stay in good condition. You might also like to loosely wrap your pearl jewelry in a soft cloth or pouch if you are storing them with other pieces of jewelry. This is important to save them from getting scratched by other jewelry.
A very important thing to remember is if your pearl necklace or bracelet is strung. You need to put your necklace or bracelet flat while storing it. This will save the pearls from bumping against each other and getting scratches on their surface.
