Needless to say, pearl is one of the most gorgeous gemstones available in the market today. Its ethereal beauty and soft glow are enough to captivate and win hearts.
Having said that, these gemstones are incredibly delicate and can get damaged very easily. To avoid this, we’ve mentioned below step-by-step instructions that will help you clean your fine jewelry safely and effectively.
Cleaning Your Pearls With Water…
What You’ll Need:
- A mug filled with room temperature water
- Ultra-mild and gentle soap
- Three lint-free cotton cloth pieces
Instructions:
- Start by mixing a little bit of the soap with water.
- Once done, submerge one lint-free cotton cloth into this solution. Wring out the material to remove excess moisture and gently start cleaning the piece with it.
- Next, wet your second cloth with clean water and gently rub on your jewelry piece to remove any residual soap.
- Finally, dab away any excess moisture from the stone with the help of a dry lint-free cotton cloth and leave the piece aside to air dry.
- Store it safely.
Precautions to Take When Washing Your Pearls
- Avoid using any kind of harsh cleaning products on your gem. This includes items, such as baking soda and vinegar. The chemicals present in these natural cleansers could eat into the outer layer of the pearl and cause irreversible damage.
- Avoid cleaning the stone with a toothbrush or any other abrasive material as they could potentially scratch the surface of the gem.
- Refrain from using ultrasonic or steam cleaners on your pearls.
- Do not leave your pearls in direct sunlight or against hot objects as that can negatively impact its surface.
When Should You Clean Your Pearls?
To avoid unnecessary stress on this gem, we recommend cleaning your pearl jewelry with water only when stained or extremely dirty. You can consider gently wiping this gem with a lint-free cotton cloth after every use. This will rid the jewel of any grime build-up that may have occurred throughout the day.
Other Maintenance Tips
1) Storage
Place the stone in a separate cloth pouch or section to prevent scratches. Avoid using plastic bags as the chemicals present in them could negatively affect pearls in the long run. Similarly, refrain from using airtight packages as they will prevent this gem from getting the moisture it needs to maintain its shine.
2) Usage
As touched upon before, pearls require hydration to retain their luster. So try wearing your gem at least once a month. Wear the accessory after you’ve put on your makeup and perfume to minimize the damage that can occur due to the chemicals present in these products. Make it a point to keep aside your pearl jewelry if you plan to go for a swim in the pool as the high chlorine content may negatively impact this gem.
3) Visit a Professional
Finally, we suggest taking your jewelry piece to a professional at least once a year. They will re-string your pearls (if you own a necklace), check for loose prongs and fix any issues that the piece may have.
