How do I care for my pearl jewelry?

Since pearls are incredibly soft and porous gemstones, they should not be cleaned with regular jewelry cleaners. Due to the fact that they are organic gemstones, the hardness of pearls is only 2.5 – 3.5 on the Mohs scale of mineral hardness. Hence, if they are soaked in water, pearls can absorb fluids that will destroy them so it is very important to take off pearl jewelry before doing any household cleaning. Do not clean pearls with ultrasonic cleaners. To clean pearl jewelry, just wipe it off with a soft cloth.

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I would personally recommend taking your pearl jewelry to your local jeweler and having him or her professionally clean you pearl jewelry for you. Since pearls are a relatively soft gemstone, and are structurally vulnerable to damages, you would do best to have your pearl jewelry treated by a professional. That way, you do not run the risk of your pearls scratching, denting or discoloring. When taking your pearl jewelry to get cleaned, ask your jeweler if he could also check that the pearls' settings are intact, that there are no broken metal links in your jewelry and that the clasps are functional. You do not want your pearls to suddenly pop out of their settings, or to spill off of their strands, simply because your jewelry had a faulty setting or clasp which you were not aware of.

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Since pearls are organic gemstones, pearls are low in durability and are prone to damages such as scratches, denting, staining, etc. Pearls are sensitive to chemicals, intense temperatures, humidity and dryness. Thus, these precious gemstones require special care and attention. If you use perfume or perfumed body lotion, implement them before putting on the pearl jewelry since spraying pearls may cause them to stain due to their high sensitivity to acid and alcohol. When you are done wearing your pearl jewelry, clean it off with dry, soft cloth or wash it in warm soapy water. Be careful not to let the water drip into the pearl's drill holes since the excessive humidity  may cause the pearls to discolor. Store pearl jewelry separately from other pieces so they won't scratch the pearl's surface, Make sure your pearl jewelry is stored in a dry place, since increased humidity may cause damages to the pearl's structure.

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If you are aware that your pearls are valuable then besides the above advice, I would recommend you have your pearl jewelry appraised and insured. Caring for pearl jewelry doesn't only mean cleaning and storing the items properly, but also insuring the jewelry against loss or damage. If your pearl jewelry turns out to be exceedingly valuable then I suggest you store your items in a safety deposit box or a home safe, in case of theft.

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