San Diego Diamonds and Fine Jewelry

Caring for Your Pearls

With good care your pearls will last you a lifetime. Cultured pearls are organic creations; they contain calcareous crystals, water and protein. They are sensitive to oils, acids and other chemicals found in perfumes and cosmetics, which can cause permanent damage. They are also sensitive to heat and abrasion. Here are a few ways you can keep your pearls safe and clean.

Consistent cleaning is important

It is a good idea to keep your pearls clean. This keeps them free of most soils and skin oils. Regular cleaning can help to maintain their luster. Mounted pearl jewelry can be cleaned with a gentle cleaning solution and a soft cloth. A simple cleaner may be made using a little bit of gentle soap, like Woolite, and water. Strands and necklaces should be wiped clean with a damp cloth; if necessary a little cleaning solution may be added to the cloth, although the strand then needs to be rinsed with fresh water on the cloth. Professional cleaning during the restringing process is always the best cleaning. Getting a strand wet can allow the silk thread to stretch causing it to become slack. If your pearls become wet always make certain to dry them completely before storage. If a pearl necklace or its silk thread looks soiled, or if knots are not tight and closely spaced, it is time to have them professionally cleaned and restrung. Jessop's is the place to come for pearl advice and care.

Remember that your pearls are delicate -
Proper storage of pearls is important

Pearls are not as hard as other precious stones and contact with hard or abrasive surfaces can damage them very easily. Do not store your pearls with other jewelry, because they can be scratched easily when metal or gemstones rub against them. In fact all jewelry should be stored so that the items don't come in contact with each other. As with all your jewelry it is recommended that you keep your pearls separate from other jewelry in a soft pouch or box.

Do's and Don'ts

• Your pearls will stay cleaner if you put them on after you've applied your makeup and perfume.
• Be sure to take off your pearl rings before you apply hand and body creams.
• Wipe your pearls with a soft, lint-free cloth as soon as you take them off.
• Pearls can be cleaned with a mild soap and water solution. Strands should not be immersed in cleaner.
• Never clean your pearls with solutions that contain ammonia or harsh detergents.
• Don't put pearl jewelry in an ultrasonic cleaner.
• Don't use abrasive cleaners or rub pearls with abrasive cloth.

As always we would be happy to have you come in to our San Diego jewelry store location regularly check the condition of your pearls and pass along any tips to help keep them in great shape!