Pearls are the only organic material in jewellery — they form inside living molluscs. That is precisely why they react sensitively to everything other materials shrug off: acid, friction, dryness.
Treated correctly they outlast generations. Treated wrongly they lose their lustre within a few years.
The golden rule: put on last, take off first
Perfume, hairspray, cream and make-up contain alcohol and acids that attack the nacre layer. Always put pearl jewellery on last, therefore — and take it off first when you come home.
Wipe after each wearing
A soft, slightly dampened cloth is enough. It removes skin oils and traces of perspiration that would otherwise act overnight. Then wipe dry — never put away damp.
What pearls cannot tolerate at all
- Ultrasonic cleaners: The vibration can cause fine cracks.
- Steam cleaners: Heat dries the pearl out.
- Acids of any kind: Lemon, vinegar, descaler — even brief contact leaves matt patches.
- Chlorine and salt water: Always take off before swimming.
- Silver cleaning agents: Not even on pearl necklaces with a silver clasp — treat only the clasp, precisely.
Storing correctly
Pearls need a little humidity, otherwise they become brittle. An airtight pouch is therefore exactly wrong. Better:
- In a soft fabric pouch or jewellery box with a textile lining
- Lying flat rather than hanging — that way the thread does not stretch
- Separately from other jewellery, since metal edges scratch the surface
- Not in the bathroom and not in bright sunshine
Having pearl necklaces restrung
With frequently worn necklaces the thread stretches over time. A specialist firm restrings them — usually every few years. One sign of this: the thread becomes visible between the pearls.
Good necklaces are knotted between the pearls. That prevents friction and ensures that if the thread breaks, not all the pearls roll away.
Telling genuine and synthetic pearls apart
The classic test: gently draw the pearl across the edge of a tooth. Genuine pearls feel slightly rough, plastic pearls smooth. Further indications:
- Weight: Genuine pearls are heavier than plastic imitations.
- Temperature: They feel cool at first and warm up slowly.
- Irregularity: No genuine pearl is perfectly round or exactly the same as the next.
In fashion jewellery, synthetic pearls are entirely fine — they are easier to care for and considerably cheaper. All that matters is that what has been used is declared honestly.
Frequently asked questions
May I clean pearls with soap?
A drop of very mild soap in lukewarm water is possible, but only briefly and with a soft cloth — never soak. In most cases water alone is enough.
Why do pearls turn yellow?
Usually through residues of cosmetics and skin oils that act over years. Regular wiping prevents this. Heavily yellowed pearls can be professionally restored, but not always completely.
Can I wear pearls every day?
Yes — pearls even like contact with the skin, the moisture keeps them supple. All that matters is the care afterwards.
