How to clean cultured pearls? Jewelry care guide

Cultured pearls are jewels of the sea. They are the only natural gemstones that come from living creatures. Unlike other types of jewelry, cultured pearl jewelry requires regular and delicate care to maintain its luster. Below, we reveal real jeweler’s secrets to perfectly care for your cultured pearls.

Cultured pearl jewelry in the past

Cultured pearls are expensive and relatively difficult to maintain. Yet, they are highly valued because of their beauty and the prestige they confer on those who wear them. To understand jewelers’ fascination with cultured pearls, and also why they are so delicate, it is important to know their history. Cultured pearls are formed as a defense mechanism of shelled mollusks (usually oysters) against a parasite. Their formation is rare and can take many years. In jewelry, pearls are valued based on the quality of their nacre, size, consistency, and brilliance.
Known since ancient times, cultured pearls have been the subject of many legends. It is said, for example, that Cleopatra dissolved them in vinegar to create a concoction aimed at making her beauty eternal. Many other legends attribute immortality or rejuvenating powers to them, and their first written mention dates back to the 2nd century BC in China. For many centuries, cultured pearls were only worn by people of high social standing, as they were the only ones who could afford them. It wasn’t until Mikimoto developed the current cultivation technique that these gems became accessible to everyone.

What damages your jewelry?

Did you know that the biggest enemy of pearls is acidity? They are sensitive to our skin, more specifically to our sweat! This is why it’s important to regularly wipe them and not wear your jewelry every day. While there’s no issue with wearing them in the shower, avoid cosmetics such as creams, perfume, or any chemical products in general. The chlorine in swimming pools is also not recommended, as it immediately dulls the pearls. A sort of film will form over the shiny nacre.

How to clean cultured pearl jewelry?

Maintaining cultured pearls should be a regular practice to preserve their brilliance. Unlike metal or gemstone jewelry, cultured pearls are organic. They are more fragile and require gentle cleaning. For instance, it’s recommended to wipe them with a soft cloth each time before wearing them. Then, clean them again after removing them and store them without their box. This simple gesture, when done regularly, helps polish the pearls and keep them beautiful and shiny.
If the pearls have been forgotten at the bottom of a drawer for a long time, the treatment may need to be a little different. In this case, you can add a few drops of coconut oil to a soft cloth. Then gently wipe each cultured pearl with the cloth. You will see their luster reappear, and they will look brand new. These small gestures are very effective for deeply maintaining cultured pearls and can be repeated to prevent the pearls from yellowing.

However, if your handmade cultured pearl jewelry remains dull despite all efforts, you should take it to a jeweler for better care. Avoid cleaning them with chemical products like acid, lemon juice, baking soda, cola, vinegar, etc. All of these substances can permanently damage them. The same goes for most personal care products. Therefore, we strongly recommend finishing your makeup, hair spray, or perfume application before putting on your cultured pearl jewelry.

Properly storing your jewelry!

To properly maintain your cultured pearls, you need to store them correctly. Cultured pearls are made up of about 2% water. It is important to preserve this percentage by storing your pearls in a place that is neither too humid nor too dry. When stored in a humid environment, their water content increases, and a film forms on the pearl. Conversely, if they are kept in a hot or dry place, the water in the pearls evaporates gradually, dulling the nacre. Ideally, you should find the right balance. For instance, air-conditioned rooms are too dry for pearls. If the air conditioning is on, you can store your pearl jewelry in the bathroom. Naturally, it’s also best to avoid excessive exposure to sunlight to prevent them from losing moisture.

What to avoid to prevent damage to your pearls

As mentioned earlier, care products contain chemical compounds that are not recommended for pearls. Hard water, such as tap water, can also quickly dull the nacre. Indeed, limestone is an abrasive substance for nacre. You should also be careful with hard objects to avoid scratching your cultured pearls.
In conclusion, jewelry with genuine cultured pearls requires cleaning and applying a few simple actions to maintain your pearls in the best way possible. They demand more attention, but this should not deter your passion for such beautiful wonders of nature. On the contrary, it is these attentions that will make them even more precious in your eyes. As Antoine de Saint-Exupéry said: “It’s the time you have wasted for your rose that makes your rose so important.”