HOW TO STORE YOUR PEARLS

Pearls are beautiful…

But not an everyday jewelry.

In fact, most people wear pearls just a few times a year (for special occasions).

Heck, some people only wear pearls once in their lifetime; their wedding.

So what do people do?

They roll them up, wrap them tight, stick them in plastic baggies, then store them away safe and secure.

And this is the worst thing to ever do.

You can’t keep pearls stored for long, because pearls are organic and need to absorb oils to keep from drying out. Oils from our bodies, our fingers, our neck (some people use a tiny dab of baby oil to keep them smooth and silky)… Oil soaks into the pearls and keeps them lustrous, pretty, and shiny.

Without it, they would dehydrate, tarnish, turn yellow, crack and chip.

The death of a pearl.

Plus, plastic bags actually emit chemicals that can be harmful to pearls.

See GIA’s tweet below…

The proper way to care for your pearls is this:

1. Store them separately – That way they won’t rub up against each other and rub the finish off. Roll them up in a soft cloth or linen. Don’t seal them in an airtight container. Let them breath. Also, try to keep them flat if you can.
2. Keep them away from metals – Gold, silver, platinum, titanium, steel, tungsten, they all can scratch the soft surface of the pearl’s nacre. So be careful where you lay your strands and pearl jewelry.
3. Keep pearls away from extreme heat or cold – Not only should you be cautious about the temperatures, but also of water, acids, detergents, lotions, soaps, cosmetics, perfumes, hairsprays and the such. Pearls can stain, tarnish, and be ruined by outside forces. Treat them with care.
4. Wear your pearls often – Wearing your pearls, rings, pendants, bracelets, earrings, strands often, will keep them looking shiny and new. After all, you do want to pass them down from generation to generation.
5. Don’t ultrasonic pearls – Pearls are too delicate to stick in an ultrasonic machine. Not only can the solution be harmful to the nacre, but the liquid could also cause your pearls (especially in a peg setting) to become loose and fall off.
6. Wipe your pearls after each use – Gently wiping your pearls with a soft cloth is a great way to clean them, remove any debris or harmful chemicals, but also a good way to check your strand or jewelry and see if the pearls are tight, secure, and in great condition. Also check to see if the pearls on your strand are pulling apart (more gaps between the knots). This is a sign that the cord is stretching, weak and needs to be restrung.

More tips and tricks:

Pearls are softer than most gemstones (only a 2.5 on the Moh’s scale of hardness), so they require careful handling and special maintenance. Be gentle when wearing them. Striking them against a hard surface can crack or chip the outer surface of the pearl. And once a pearl’s nacre is chipped, there is no way to repair it. You’ll have to replace the entire pearl.

Great pearl storage containers:

If you’re looking for a great storage container for your pearls, a soft sleeve, a roll, a case… Check out these pearl strand and jewelry containers here:

See all the awesome pearl storage organizers here.

And keep your pearls, pearly!

Cheers! :)