Unique Pearl Jewelry: How To Clean Pearls

Posted by Women's Designer Clothing Editor in jewelry

Need some pearls of wisdom to clean an old strand of pearls?

Because pearls are usually passed down from one generation to the next, you can maintain your pearls for your daughter or granddaughter anxiously awaiting this coveted piece of jewelry.

Cleaning your pearls with a clean soft cloth and Woolite is my preferred method of cleaning, but you can clean your pearls with a liquid detergent and an old T-shirt as well.

Here are a few basic unique pearl jewelry tips:

If you wear your pearls daily, they will absorb acid from the skin. Eventually, the acid would slowly eat your spherical-shaped pearls. And the pearl may become permanently damaged.
The best pearls are shiny; inferior pearls are chalky and dull.
Contrary to urban jewelry legends, oysters do not produce perfectly round pearls. The more round the shape, however, the more desirable the pearls.
Price of the pearls depends upon the pearl’s diameter and size. The most common size sold is between 7 mm and 7.5 mm.
Perfume, hair spray, cosmetics, and face creams do the most damage to pearls. Set your hair, do your make up and spray your perfume on before you even take your pearls out of your jewelry box.

Tips to Clean Your Pearl Jewelry

When cleaning pearls, use only jewelry cleaners that are safe for pearls.
Avoid commercial jewelry cleaners, unless they have been specially formulated for pearl cleaning.
Do not clean your pearls using jewelry cleaners made for gold or silver. These cleaning agents contain an ammonia base that is harmful to pearls.
Do not use bleaching agents, baking sodas or powdered cleaners to clean your pearls.
Some liquid soap can damage pearls. Use only a mild soap and water solution.
Use a soft, lint-free cloth to get rid of accumulated dirt, perfume, makeup, body oils or perspiration.
Do not use a toothbrush or abrasive cloth to clean your pearls. They can scratch the surface and they can also wear away the pearls’ coating, leaving you with scuffed and plain-looking beads.
For a more thorough cleaning, use a soft soapy cloth. Gently wipe the pearls with a cloth moistened with cold water to remove all soap residue.
Clean the drill holes where the dirt particularly collects. If your pearls are especially old, you could try washing them with water and very mild liquid soap.
Wipe them with detergent-free damp cloth and leave them flat on a kitchen paper to dry. Once dry, coat them with olive oil to try and restore their sheen.
After the olive oil treatment, lay the pearls on wash cloths or a moist kitchen towel to dry. Do not hang your pearls. When the wash cloth becomes dry, the pearls will usually be dry as well.

However you clean your pearls and whatever cleaning agent you use, you should remember to be very careful as you may be doing your pearls more harm than good.

If your pearls have not been properly maintained and they are now full of dirt and grime, you should bring your pearls to a trustworthy jeweler or a professional jewelry cleaner for professional care.