Most people who enjoy wearing jewelry love pearls, because there is nothing that says class like wearing a piece of pearl jewelry. After a while, the shine of pearls can begin to diminish, as the owner handles them. Many jewelry experts recommend that pearl jewelry be cleaned by professionals, but that can get expensive.
- Always put pearls on after you have applied make up, creams or perfume.
- Wipe pearls off with a lint-free cloth after they are taken off. To ensure that they are clean, try wiping them off with a wet cloth and allowing them to air dry.
- Pearls that get dirty can be cleaned at home with a mixture of mild soap and water.
- Never use ammonia, bleach or harsh detergents to clean pearls.
- Never use abrasive cleaners or abrasive clothes to clean pearls. This is because they can damage the coating of the pearl and leave them looking dull.
- Always store pearls separately from other jewelry, to avoid scratches and damage that can come from storing jewelry together.
- Restring pearl necklaces at least once per year, to ensure that they have a secure cord that will not break when they are being worn. Use a silk cord, if possible, and tie a not on each pearl individually.
- Pearls can dehydrate and lose their luster. To avoid this problem, wear them frequently.
- If pearl jewelry is placed in a safety deposit box or an area that might be prone to hotter temperatures, a wet cloth should be placed on the same box so the pearls do not dehydrate.
- Pearls should always be taken off if the owner will be doing something that could potentially damage them, like exercising or working outdoors.
- Shetland Wool and other fabrics can scratch pearls. It is always wise for a pearl owner to think about what they are wearing, before putting their pearls on.
- An unused make up brush is the best tool to use for cleaning pearls.
- If using jewelry cleaner for cleaning, make sure that the cleaner you choose is specifically made for cleaning pearls.
- To bring the shine back to dull looking pearls, try rubbing olive oil on them after cleaning.
Article Source
http://experts.merchantcircle.com/articles/How-To-Care-for-Pearl-Jewelry-cat-718