How to Care For Your Pearls

A mild soap and a good rinse
is all it takes to clean your pearls.

The pearls that most of us wear today, are cultured specifically for the jewelry market, in a process first patented in 1910. These are "artificially" made pearls, grown in a variety of mollusk creatures, by inserting a tiny bead or other particle, which acts in the same way to form a pearl as an oyster would in nature.

These cultured, or freshwater pearls, are the result of multiple layers of nacre being secreted by the mollusk, to coat the intruding pellet or bead. The longer the pearl is left in place, the more layers of nacre build up, and the larger it becomes.

Freshwater or "natural", all pearls are treated in the same way when it comes to cleaning. That means a gentle washing in mild soap solution, rinsing and allowing the strand to dry before storing a string of pearls away. If you are cleaning a pearl brooch, then a well-used soft bristle toothbrush can be used to get around numerous small pearls, but go carefully and gently. Rinse well, and allow the piece to dry. Never use commercial jewelry solutions that can dull or destroy the luster of the nacre finish.

As with other fine gems and gold jewelry, it is advisable to wash your hands before you touch pearls to put them on, or take them off. Apply all make-up, perfume or lotions before putting your jewelry on as well. After they are removed, buff your pearls with a soft cloth, and store them in a chamois or other soft cloth bag, away from other items. Hard metals and gemstones can damage the outer coating of the pearls.

Copyright © 2005-2008 JewelrySalesBusiness.com. All rights reserved.
JewelrySalesBusiness.com is not associated with or endorsed by any of the listed companies.
Trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

Click Here

View our Business Guide | Jewelry Guide | Wholesale Buying Guide

How to Care For Your Pearls

Featured Companies:

More Opportunities:

Resources:

Admin: