An elegant strand can lose its shine after just a few wears because skin oils and cosmetics build up, leaving owners unsure how to restore it safely. Do you clean pearls like other jewellery, or do they need gentler care?
This guide explains pearl structure and sensitivity, shows how to wipe and gently wash pearls with a soft cloth and mild soap, and outlines rinsing, drying, and storing techniques to protect their lustre. Follow straightforward maintenance tips and learn when to seek professional care so your pearls retain their natural glow for years.
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Recognise pearl structure and sensitivity
Pearls consist mainly of calcium carbonate in the form of aragonite platelets bound by the organic protein conchiolin, and cultured pearls have a nucleus overlaid with nacre layers, with thicker nacre generally resisting gentle cleaning better. They register low on the Mohs scale, roughly 2.5 to 4.5, and have poor abrasion resistance, so avoid abrasive cloths, hard brushes, ultrasonic cleaners, and exposure to high heat or steam. After wearing, gently wipe pearls with a soft cloth, and if they are soiled use a dilute, mild soap solution followed by a thorough fresh water rinse and drying on a soft cloth. Before any cleaning examine each pearl under good light for chalky patches, flaking, discolouration, or loose drill holes, and try any new method on an inconspicuous area first.
Pearls also react chemically: acids, alkalis, ammonia, solvents, and common ingredients in perfumes, hairsprays, and cosmetics can etch or discolour the nacre, while body oils and sweat can darken and weaken surfaces over time. Freshwater, saltwater, bead-nucleated, and non-nucleated pearls vary in nacre thickness and durability, so adjust how gently you clean them and consider professional conservation for thin-nacre, antique, or visibly damaged pieces. If you see chalking or flaking during inspection or testing, stop cleaning and seek specialist help.
Choose delicate freshwater pearls for gentle everyday wear
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Wipe pearls with a soft cloth after wearing
Wipe pearls immediately after wearing to remove skin oils, perspiration, and cosmetic residue, because these substances are mildly acidic and can penetrate the porous nacre, dulling lustre and accelerating deterioration. Use a lint-free, soft cloth such as fine cotton or a very soft microfiber, keeping separate cloths for dry wiping and for damp cleaning to avoid redepositing dirt. Unclasp necklaces, lay them flat, and wipe each pearl individually with light, circular strokes, avoiding pulling, twisting, or pressure that could stress drill holes or loosen knots.
For sticky residue, dampen the cloth with plain water or a very mild, pH-neutral soap solution, then follow immediately with a clean, damp cloth to remove any soap film. Allow pearls to air dry flat on a soft towel rather than hanging them, which can stretch the thread. Store pearls separately in a soft pouch or wrapped in a breathable cloth to prevent scratches, and lay necklaces flat to preserve the stringing. Inspect the string periodically and restring before wear if you see fraying, so you avoid loss or abrasion caused by a sudden failure.
Opt for a durable freshwater-pearl necklace for daily wear
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Clean pearls gently with mild soap and a soft cloth, then rinse
After wearing, wipe pearls with a soft, lint-free cloth to lift sweat, skin oils, and cosmetic residue, because sweat is mildly acidic and can etch the nacre; gentle strokes prevent buildup that dulls lustre without abrading the surface. For occasional deeper cleaning, mix a small amount of pH-neutral, mild soap in lukewarm water, dampen a soft cloth, and wipe each pearl gently, taking care not to submerge knotted silk strands. Rinse the cloth in clean water and wipe again to remove all soap residue, since detergent films reduce shine. Lay the pearls flat to dry on a soft cloth to stop the string stretching while wet, and ensure knots dry thoroughly to avoid mildew and weakening.
Avoid ultrasonic or steam cleaners, ammonia, bleach, spirit-based solvents, and abrasive pads, because pearls are mainly calcium carbonate and an organic matrix, so acids, solvents, and abrasives can dissolve or scratch the nacre and cause permanent loss of lustre. Inspect knots and the clasp regularly and organise restringing when knots darken or feel loose, as worn thread can break unexpectedly. Store pearls separately in a soft pouch or lined box, away from harder jewellery and extreme heat, so surfaces stay unscratched and the organic fibres do not degrade.
Opt for a wearable pearl necklace that layers effortlessly.
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Dry and store pearls to protect their lustre
After wearing, wipe pearls with a soft, lint-free cloth to remove body oils and cosmetics; for a deeper clean, dampen a cloth with room-temperature water containing a few drops of mild, pH-neutral soap, wipe each pearl, then follow with a cloth dampened in fresh water. Do not soak strands or submerge knotted silk, and avoid abrasive cloths that can damage the nacre. Lay cleaned pearls flat on a soft towel to air-dry completely before storing, then keep them flat in a soft, breathable pouch or fabric-lined jewellery box, separate from harder items that could scratch them.
Never use ultrasonic or steam cleaners, household solvents, or acidic solutions, and keep pearls away from perfumes, hairsprays, and chlorine because pearls consist of calcium carbonate with delicate protein layers that those agents can etch or discolour. Inspect strands regularly for fraying, loose knots, or beads rubbing together, and use single knots between beads to limit wear. Have a strand restrung if the thread weakens or knots show wear to avoid losing pearls. Store and wear pearls in moderate humidity and wear them occasionally to help maintain lustre, while prolonged exposure to dry heat, direct sunlight, or chemicals can cause crazing, dullness, or discolouration.
Wear a simple pearl necklace daily to maintain lustre.
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Maintain pearls regularly, and seek professional care when needed
After wearing, wipe pearls with a clean, soft, lint-free cloth to remove skin oils, perfume, and sweat, because acids and proteins in these substances can dull the nacre if they set in. For a deeper clean, dampen the cloth with a few drops of neutral pH liquid soap in tepid water and wipe each pearl gently, keeping the strand out of the solution to protect the silk. Rinse the cloth in plain water and repeat as needed, then lay the strand flat on a soft towel to air dry before storing.
Avoid ultrasonic and steam cleaners, abrasive cloths, and strong chemicals such as ammonia, bleach, or vinegar, because mechanical vibration, heat, and harsh solvents can fracture nacre, strip surface layers, and weaken silk threads. Store pearls flat and separate from other jewellery in a soft pouch or cloth-lined box to prevent abrasion and colour transfer, and put them on after cosmetics and perfume so you minimise exposure to chemicals. Take pearls off first to reduce contact with sweat and household products, and inspect the strand regularly for stretched or discoloured knots, rubbing between beads, chips, or persistent staining. When you spot those signs, consult a jeweller for restringing with knotted silk, specialist cleaning, or conservation, because timely attention prolongs the pearls' appearance and structural integrity.
Pearls need a gentle, regular routine; wipe them with a soft, lint-free cloth after wearing, clean only with a damp cloth and a little pH-neutral soap when necessary, and rinse and dry flat to protect the delicate calcium carbonate and organic nacre that create their lustre. Because nacre is soft and chemically sensitive, avoid ultrasonic or steam cleaners, solvents, and abrasive pads, and inspect knots and drill holes so you can organise restringing before threads fail or surfaces chalk and flake.
Follow the headings above: recognising structure, wiping after wear, gentle soap-and-water cleaning, and correct drying and storage; these steps help prevent dulling, discolouration, or physical damage. Inspect regularly and seek specialist care if you spot chalking, flaking, persistent staining, or loose knots, because timely, appropriate attention preserves both the appearance and the structural integrity of your pearls.