Pearls look good on every woman no matter what they’re wearing. They can complete the look of anything, from a plain black dress to a dreamy wedding gown. With proper care and maintenance, they’re guaranteed to last for many generations. Continue reading whether you own natural or cultured ones. Below are some tips on preserving the beauty of pearl jewelry.
Every item should be stored in separate pouches – bracelets, rings, necklaces, earrings, etc. Ideally, the pouches should be out of linen, cotton or silk. It’s also fine to place them inside a jewelry box. But make sure they get their own compartment that’s lined. Other jewelry’s metal and gemstone parts can definitely scratch the fine surface of pearls should they rub off against them.
Keep them from getting in contact with harsh chemicals. Your perfumes, hair styling products, make up and other cosmetics may contain such chemicals. That’s why you should apply them all first before putting on your jewelry. Before storing them at the end of the day, make it a habit to wipe them off with a cloth that’s dry and soft. This will deal with chemical residues on their surface.
There are hard or rough fabric types that can also scratch your pearls. If you’re wearing garbs out of these fabrics, it’s best to skip wearing your precious pearls. Additionally, you should keep them from rubbing against metal zippers, hooks, buttons and the likes. Your jewelry must be the last thing you put on when dressing. When undressing, do the reverse: they should be the very first thing you remove.
It’s true that skin oils can make pearls more lustrous. But skin acids can cause damage to them. Wiping them is essential right after you take them off. For a more thorough cleaning, you may occasionally use a damp cloth. However, make sure you let them dry completely before putting them in a pouch or jewelry box. Never use cleaning solutions on them other than something that’s made for pearl cleaning.
Before cleaning the house, exercising, or going inside a hot and humid area, make sure you remove them. This will prevent your pieces from unnecessary getting into contact with sweat, dirt and chemicals. As with necklaces, take them off before dipping in the pool. Prolonged exposure to water may weaken the silk string holding the pearls together.
Speaking of necklaces, it’s best to have them re-strung every 1 to 2 years by an experienced jeweler. Usually, silk thread is used, although nylon has become an acceptable alternative these days. See to it that knots are made between pearls to spare them from rubbing against each other. And as added precaution, these knots will also keep the pieces from falling all together should the string break.
The beauty of pearl jewelry never goes out of fashion. They may not be as expensive as diamonds, but they don’t carry cheap price tags either. By properly taking care of these fine pieces, you can enjoy them or even future generations for many years to come.
Whether for bracelets, necklaces or ear rings, pearl jewelry is one of nature’s greatest gifts to beautiful fashion. You should reserve just a little time to maintain the elegance of your fine jewelry.
