My aunt handed me her old pearl necklace last year. Looked kinda dull and sad honestly. She’d worn it maybe twice in twenty years because she was terrified of damaging it. Turns out she was storing it wrong and never cleaned it properly. Moreover, this whole fear of caring for pearl jewelry keeps people from actually wearing their beautiful pieces. Pearls aren’t as fragile as everyone thinks. Yeah, they need more attention than diamonds or gold. However, the care routine is pretty simple once you know what you’re doing and understand the basics of caring for pearl jewelry properly.
Here’s what trips people up though. They either treat pearls like they’re gonna shatter if you breathe on them wrong. Or they clean them like regular jewelry and accidentally damage them. Both extremes cause problems honestly. Furthermore, proper caring for pearl jewelry sits somewhere in the middle—gentle but not paranoid. Regular maintenance without harsh chemicals. In this guide, I’m showing you exactly how to keep your pearls looking gorgeous for decades without stressing about it.
Why Pearl Care Requires Special Attention
Pearls are completely different from other gems you own. They’re organic—made from layers of nacre that oysters produce over time. This makes them softer than most gemstones. On the Mohs hardness scale, pearls sit around 2.5 to 4.5. Diamonds are 10 for reference. Therefore, that huge gap means pearls scratch way easier than your other jewelry pieces.
They’re also porous, which most people don’t realize. Pearls absorb stuff—oils from your skin, chemicals from products, even moisture from the air. That’s why caring for pearl jewelry matters so much more than tossing your diamond ring in cleaner. Additionally, the wrong products literally damage the nacre layers permanently. Once that luster is gone, you can’t get it back. But treated right, pearls stay beautiful basically forever.
Daily Care Habits for Pearls
The biggest rule? Put them on last, take them off first. After you’ve applied makeup, hairspray, perfume—all that stuff. Let those products dry completely before your pearl necklace touches your skin. Consequently, chemicals in beauty products eat away at nacre over time. Seriously damages the surface if pearls contact them regularly.
When you get home, pearls come off first thing. Before washing your face or hands. Before applying night creams. Take them off and wipe them gently with a soft cloth. Moreover, this removes oils from your skin before they build up and dull the luster. Takes maybe thirty seconds. But this simple habit prevents most pearl damage that happens from daily wear. You’re removing gunk before it becomes a problem requiring deep cleaning.
Properly Cleaning Pearl Necklaces
For deeper cleaning, you need barely anything. Lukewarm water—not hot, not cold. One tiny drop of very mild soap. Baby shampoo works perfectly because it’s super gentle. Mix it in a small bowl. Furthermore, dip a soft cloth in the soapy water and wring it out really well. The cloth should be damp, not dripping wet.
Wipe each pearl individually along the strand. Don’t soak the whole necklace in water—that weakens the silk thread holding everything together. After wiping all the pearls, use a clean damp cloth with just water to remove soap residue. Additionally, lay the necklace flat on a dry towel to air dry completely before storing. That’s the basic process when caring for pearl jewelry that’s strung. Simple, safe, effective when done correctly.
Caring for Pearl Jewelry Earrings and Rings
Pearl earrings and rings are easier than necklaces because there’s no string involved. You can be slightly less cautious. Still gentle though. Use that same damp cloth method with mild soapy water. Similarly, wipe down each pearl carefully, getting into areas around settings where dirt hides.
For pearl earrings with metal posts or pearl rings with metal bands, you can clean those parts too with the damp cloth. Just avoid submerging the whole piece in water if pearls are glued in. The glue weakens with too much moisture. After cleaning, wipe with a clean damp cloth to remove soap. Dry thoroughly with a soft cloth. Therefore, part of caring for pearl jewelry means knowing which pieces can handle slightly more moisture versus which need extra caution.
Products to Avoid for Pearl Jewelry
Some products absolutely wreck pearls. Never use ammonia-based cleaners—they destroy nacre. Bleach is obviously terrible. Vinegar seems natural but it’s acidic and damages pearl surfaces. Baking soda? Too abrasive despite working fine for other jewelry. It scratches pearls up badly.
Avoid commercial jewelry cleaners unless they specifically say pearl-safe. Most aren’t. Never scrub pearls with toothbrushes or any brushes—even soft ones scratch them. Moreover, don’t use ultrasonic cleaners or jewelry cleaning machines. The vibrations are too harsh for pearls. Steam cleaning is way too hot and can crack them. When caring for pearl jewelry, knowing what NOT to do prevents most damage. One wrong product ruins expensive pieces instantly.
Storing Pearl Jewelry Correctly
Storage matters almost as much as cleaning when caring for pearl jewelry. Pearls need to be stored separately from other jewelry. Hard gemstones like diamonds scratch pearls if they’re all jumbled together in one box. Consequently, keep your pearl bracelet in its own soft pouch or lined compartment.
Here’s something most people get wrong though—don’t store pearls in completely airtight containers. They need some moisture from the air to stay healthy. Totally sealed storage makes them dry out and crack over time. A fabric pouch in a drawer works perfectly. Provides protection without sealing them off from air. Furthermore, if you live somewhere super dry, occasionally wear your pearls. The natural oils from your skin actually help maintain their luster. Proper storage balances protection with their need for moisture.
When to Restring Pearl Jewelry
If you wear your pearl necklace or bracelet regularly, get it restrung every couple years. The silk thread weakens over time from wear and oils. You don’t want it breaking while you’re wearing it and losing pearls everywhere. Additionally, professional restringing isn’t super expensive—usually $50-150 depending on the piece.
Signs you need restringing? The thread looks dirty or frayed. Pearls move more loosely than they used to. You can see gaps between pearls when the strand is laid flat. Any of these mean it’s time. When getting pearls restrung, ask for knots between each pearl. This prevents all the pearls from sliding off if the string breaks. Moreover, it’s standard practice but worth confirming. This maintenance is essential when caring for pearl jewelry you wear frequently.
Protecting Pearls During Wear
Beyond cleaning and storage, protect your pearls during wear. Take them off before exercising or doing housework. Sweat damages pearls over time. Cleaning chemicals absolutely wreck them. Similarly, remove pearls before swimming—chlorine in pools is terrible for nacre. Salt water isn’t great either despite pearls coming from the ocean originally.
Be careful with clothing too. Rough fabrics can scratch pearls. Wool sweaters are particularly bad. If wearing pearls with potentially rough clothing, put them on over smoother layers. Furthermore, watch for sharp zippers or metal buttons that might scratch. Little precautions like these prevent damage during regular wear. Smart daily habits protect your investment without requiring constant worry.
Dealing with Pearl Jewelry Damage
If your pearls look dull despite proper cleaning, they might need professional attention. A jeweler has specialized products that can safely restore luster without damaging nacre. They can also assess whether the dullness is from surface dirt or actual damage to the pearl itself.
For scratches or chips in the nacre, there’s not much you can do unfortunately. Minor surface issues might improve with professional polishing. Deep scratches or cracks? Those are permanent. Therefore, this is why prevention matters so much when caring for pearl jewelry. Once damage happens, you can’t really fix it. But caught early, a jeweler might minimize how noticeable it is.
Special Care for Vintage Pieces
Vintage or antique pearls need extra gentle treatment. The nacre gets more fragile with age. If you’ve inherited old pearls or bought vintage pieces, be super cautious. Use even less soap when cleaning—barely a hint. Be extremely gentle wiping them down. Apply almost no pressure at all.
Old pearls often have original silk stringing that’s quite delicate after decades. Check with a jeweler about restringing before cleaning vintage pieces. Sometimes the thread is so old that moisture makes it break immediately. Additionally, for really valuable vintage jewelry, skip home cleaning entirely. Take it straight to a professional who specializes in antique pieces. They know exactly how to handle fragile old pearls. Caring for pearl jewelry that’s decades old requires even more caution than modern pieces.
Pearl Jewelry Cleaning Frequency
How frequently you clean depends on wear. Everyday pieces like simple stud earrings or a bracelet you wear constantly? Clean them properly every 2-3 weeks. They’re exposed to oils, products, everything daily. Consequently, buildup happens faster with frequent wear.
Special occasion pearls worn monthly or less? Deep clean maybe 2-3 times yearly. Before storing them long-term, definitely give them a good cleaning. Dirt and oils left on pearls damage them over time even when unworn. Moreover, between proper cleanings, always wipe them after each wear with a dry soft cloth. That daily maintenance makes huge difference in how long they stay beautiful. Understanding proper caring for pearl jewelry means balancing regular gentle cleaning with knowing when deeper attention is needed.
