Jewelry tips: storing pearls

The lustrous natural beauty of pearls has long made them highly admired and coveted jewels. Their simple elegance enhances both classic and contemporary looks. Pearls are delicate, but with proper storage and cleaning they will maintain their attractive qualities for years to come.

Pearls are unique among gems because living animals called mollusks, which live in both salt and freshwater, create pearls when irritants are caught inside their shells. If a mollusk cannot rid itself of the irritant, the animal coats it with a substance called nacre – the same material used to build its shell. Over a few years, several layers of nacre are applied around the irritant, resulting in a pearl. With natural pearls this occurs spontaneously, but with cultured pearls humans help the process along by introducing an irritant into the mollusk.

The surface of the pearl is delicate and subject to scratches. Pearls should always be stored in a soft cloth pouch or wrapped in a cloth such as a handkerchief. Jewelry pouches can often be found at jewelry stores, the jewelry section of a department store or online. Anti-tarnish cloths can damage pearls and shouldn’t be used for storage. Never put pearls into a jewelry box without protection, since hard metals or gemstones could easily harm them. Pearls require moisture to prevent them from becoming too dry and brittle, so they should not be stored in plastic bags, which do not breathe and allow humid air to reach the pearls. Because heat can have an adverse effect on pearls, they should not be stored near heat registers, radiators or in direct sunlight.

Wipe pearls with a soft, damp cloth after each wearing to remove body oils and perspiration. From time to time, wash them with a cloth dipped in mild detergent and water, then dampen a cloth with water only and wipe the pearls again. The pearls should be lain flat, not hung, to dry. If the string is wet, hanging them could cause it to stretch. For this reason pearls should not be worn when the string is wet. Do not use conventional chemical jewelry cleaners, since they are too harsh and can damage the delicate surface of the pearl. Ultrasonic cleaners can destroy pearls and should never be used to clean them.

Apply perfume, hairspray and make-up before putting on pearl jewelry. Pearl rings and bracelets should be removed before washing dishes or cleaning house, since they could be damaged by chemical cleaners or bumping against hard objects. Chlorine found in swimming pools and hot tubs can also damage pearls.

Lastly, the silk string of a pearl necklace or bracelet will need to be changed periodically. If the string is dirty or the pearls are loose, take them to a professional jeweler for restringing. The pearls should be strung on silk with a knot tied between each pearl. The knot will prevent all the pearls from falling to the floor should the string break, and will keep the pearls from bumping against and damaging one another.