Essential Tips for Pearl Longevity: Caring for Your Treasures

Pearls are timeless symbols of elegance and sophistication, but unlike hardier gemstones, they require a little extra care to maintain their exquisite lustre, ensuring they remain beautiful for generations to come. At Melanie Katsalidis, we want your pearl jewels to remain as exquisite as the day you first received them. Follow these essential tips to protect your precious treasures.

The Golden Rule: Last On, First Off

Perhaps the most crucial rule for pearl care. Pearls are organic gems and can be damaged by chemicals found in everyday products.

• Last On: Always put your pearls on after you've applied makeup, perfume, hairspray, and lotions. These products contain chemicals that, over time, can dull a pearl's lustre or etch its surface.
  

• First Off: When you're ready to take them off, do so before removing makeup or getting ready for bed. This reduces the opportunity of the pearls coming into contact with cosmetics and body oils that accumulate and can harm a pearls nacre.

Clean with Care: Gentle is Key

Pearls are relatively soft and can scratch easily. Abrasive cleaners or harsh chemicals are a definite no-go. So how should you clean them? Read on.

• Wipe Them Down: After each wear, gently wipe your pearls with a soft, damp cloth (preferably lint-free). This removes any oils, perspiration, or residue.

• Mild Soap Solution (Occasionally): If your pearls need a deeper clean, you can use a very mild soap solution (like baby shampoo) mixed with lukewarm water. Dip a soft cloth into the solution, wring it out thoroughly, and gently wipe the pearls.

• Avoid Water: Never submerge your pearl strands or jewellery directly in water, as water can weaken the silk thread they're strung on, leading to breakage. Take them off before showering, and don't wear them swimming.

• Dry Thoroughly: Always ensure your pearls are completely dry before storing them. Leaving them damp can weaken the string and potentially lead to mildew.

Smart Storage: Protect Them From Harm

How you store your pearls is just as important as how you wear them.

• Soft Pouch or Cloth: Store your pearls separately from other jewellery in a soft cloth pouch or a lined jewellery box, as the nacre can be scratched by harder gemstones or metal settings.

• Avoid Airtight Containers: Pearls need a bit of moisture from the air to maintain their lustre. Storing them in an airtight container can cause them to dehydrate and crack. Instead, store your pearls the in the packaging provided.

• Flat Storage: Rather than hanging them, store pearl necklaces flat to prevent the weight of the pearls from stretching or breaking the silk thread over time. 

Re-stringing: An Important Maintenance Step

If your pearl necklace or bracelet is strung on silk thread, it will naturally stretch and weaken over time.

• Check the Thread: Look for signs of stretching, fraying, or gaps between the pearls.

• Professional Re-stringing: We recommend having your pearls re-strung professionally when you see signs of fraying. This prevents accidental breakage and loss of your precious pearls. Simply bring them into us and we will arrange the re-stringing for a small fee.

Photography by Lilli Waters.