Pearl Bracelet Care

Pearls need constant care and attention just like any other precious gem and jewelry. This will not cost you a fortune or much time. Just follow the tips below and your pearls will retain their luster for many years.

• Remove pearls before showering, doing housework, washing dishes, swimming, or applying hair spray and perfume.
• A pearl bracelet should be considered a special-occasion piece, not for daily wear, and not to be worn while working with the hands.
• Do not store in an airtight environment for a long time. This would include a deposit box or jewelry case. Pearls need to "breathe" since they are organic. Such an ultra-dry environment can cause the pearls to develop small fractures in the surface. Also store, away from sunlight and dry heat.
• Never store in a plastic bag. Some plastics emit chemicals that can cause the surface of your pearls to deteriorate.
• Store in a soft cloth or jewelry pouch.
• Pearls are sensitive to strong chemicals like deodorants, sprays, perfumes, ammonia, bleach, and chlorinated water in swimming pools. Some foods containing acids, such as fruit juices and salad dressings, can even discolor pearls.
• Avoid wearing pearls when wearing rough fabrics.
• Perspiration can dim the luster of pearls. Wipe your gems with a soft dry cloth after every use.
• To clean, wet your hand and glide your strand gently to dampen the pearls. Do not place them directly in water. Set the strand on a clean towel and press the towel to remove some of the moisture. This will also help remove the oils and perspiration that have accumulated on the pearls.
• Expose pearls regularly to humid conditions. After cleaning as above you can lay them flat in a moist towel and let them dry. When the towel is dry the pearls should be dry.
• You can even use a drop of olive oil on a soft cloth to wipe them to help maintain their luster.
• Never use ultrasonic cleaners like that used to clean other jewelry. The vibrations can shatter cracked pearls.
• Never use a toothbrush, scouring pad, or abrasive material to clean pearls.
• Do not wear pearls when their string is wet. Wet strings stretch and attract dirt, which can be difficult to remove.
• Do not hang pearls to dry to prevent the silk or nylon from stretching
• When pearls are clean they will feel smooth and have a shine and luster to them.
• If your pearls have not been kept clean, your jeweler can clean them or they can be cleaned using special pearl cleaner.
• A pearl bracelet or necklace should be restrung about once a year to prevent strand breakage. Silk thread is the preferred, but nylon thread is an acceptable alternative. The string should be knotted between each pearl. This prevents all the pearls in a strand from falling off should the strand break. Knotting also keeps the pearls from rubbing against each other.
• If the individual pearls move freely between the knots then it is time to have them restrung.
• Pearls will naturally darken some with age and wear. The golden or creamy shades that come with age cannot be removed.