How to properly care for pearl jewelry
Hello Lesley, it’s been almost one year since my husband purchased a pair of pearl and diamond stud earrings from Brian Gavin to celebrate the birth of our son David. I just love the luster of the pearls and the sparkle provided by the three diamonds which accent each pearl! When our family got together to celebrate Mother’s Day, I noticed that my mother-in-law was wearing a similar pair of pearl stud earrings (my diamonds sparkle more!) which seem to have yellowed with age, and I’m wondering whether there is something that I can do to prevent this, and what is the best way to clean pearl jewelry. Thank you. – Samantha C.
Reasons why pearls yellow with age:
There are several factors which contribute to pearls turning yellow with age; one of the biggest is exposure to the lotions and perfumes which women wear. The perfume molecules and lotions are absorbed into the porous surface of the pearl, and yellow over the course of time… therefore it is best to put on your pearls after completing your beauty regimen.
Another reason why pearls turn yellow is that they dry out from being stored improperly; the organic composition of the pearls begins to change if they are not exposed to fresh air.
Most people tend to store their pearls in a jewelry box, or a safety deposit box, where they are often stored inside of a plastic bag… this is one of the worst ways to store pearls, because it literally starves them of air and creates an environment which is hot and dry.
How to prevent pearls from turning yellow:
The best way to maintain the appearance of your pearls and prevent pearls from yellowing is to keep them from drying out, thus you should try to wear them at least once per month, so that the natural oils from your skin can be absorbed by the pearls, and store them in a safe place with keeps them out of direct sunlight, but exposed to fresh air.
Be sure to remove pearl jewelry before bathing or showering, and avoid exposure to soaps and harsh chemicals. In addition, be sure to take off pearl jewelry before swimming in a pool, since exposure to chlorine can damage pearls. This means that you should also try to avoid exposing your pearls to tap water, because it tends to be chlorinated.
Tips for cleaning pearl jewelry:
It is important to understand that pearls are different from most other precious gems in because they are soft and porous; thus it is important not to use chemicals to clean pearls, nor should you boil pearl jewelry, nor use an ultrasonic cleaner, as any of these popular methods of cleaning jewelry might quite literally destroy your pearls.
The best way to clean your pearl jewelry is simply to wipe them with a soft, damp cloth after wearing them. If your pearl jewelry has not been cleaned in quite some time, and/or if it requires a more thorough cleaning, it is best to take it to a qualified jeweler for professional cleaning.
