Friday, May 13, 2011

How to Clean Pearls Jewelry

Many of us have Pearl Jewelry which also happens to be some of our most prized possessions. I personally own several pieces of pearl ornaments including an antique pearl necklace passed on to me and also worn by me at the time of my wedding, a pearl tiara, 2 pearl sets received as gifts from my guy and a pearl necklace I received as a bridesmaid of my best friend. These pearl ornaments hold sentimental value to me and I would not want them to be damaged or look dirty at any cost. I am sure you may have some pearl jewelry too. Pearls are one of the most beautiful of gemstones. Pearl is an organic gemstone and should be cleaned delicately as it is highly sensitive to the chemicals that are used to clean jewelry and can be damaged if handled in a rough manner. If you have some heirloom jewelry it is better to get it cleaned by an expert as no one can clean pearls or any jewelry better than a professional.

Given below are some tips to clean pearl jewelry safely.
  • Wipe Pearls using a cloth dipped in lukewarm water and allow it to dry.
  • Put the pearls in lukewarm water with 2-3 drops of mild shampoo for 2-3 minutes. Remove and rinse the pearls gently and then wipe the moisture using a towel and allow it to dry.
  • Clean the pearls using chamois leather.
  • Pearl necklaces can be cleaned by placing them in powdered magnesia. Wipe of the pearl next day with a clean cloth.
It is advisable to store Pearl jewelry in separate bags or pouches and not mix with other jewelry as it can cause scratches on your valuable pearls. Exposure to perfumes, hair spray, household chemicals, cosmetics or too much moisture can be harmful to the pearls and can result in the pearls losing its shine. Never use ultrasonic cleaners or chemicals to clean your jewelry or handle it harshly.