I see this question asked over and over in advice columns nationwide.
Indeed, since I saw it again today, I thought the answer would be
worth repeating.
Q. I inherited a South Sea/akoya/freshwater/Tahitian pearl necklace
from Aunt Mabel/Grandma/Uncle Bob and absolutely love it and wear it
all the time. But the pearls are dirty and I don't know how to clean
them. What to do?
A. Cleaning pearls is easy and requires just a few common household
items. To clean pearls that aren't very dirty, simply rub them gently
with a soft cloth. For pearls that need a good cleaning, use a mixture
of warm water and a non-abrasive cleaner such as hand soap. Dunk the
pearls in the solution and gently scrub them until they're clean. Put
the pearls on a clean towel to dry, and let them air dry fully before
you wear them again. Never use bleach, abrasive cleaners, or an
ultrasonic jewelry cleaner.
More: Treated with care, pearls can last a lifetime or longer.
Although they have a low hardness compared to other gems, their dense,
compact makeup makes them surprisingly durable. But pearls are
perishable. Substances like perfume, vinegar, hairspray, inks, and
perspiration are detrimental to pearls, as is chlorine. It is best to
remove pearl jewelry before swimming and showering, and to put pearls
on after makeup, perfume and hairspray have been applied. Once a
pearl's surface is marred, unlike a gemstone, it cannot be polished,
sanded or reshaped--unfortunately man has yet to invent a way to
restore pearls' natural beauty. For this reason, pearls should be
stored in their own pouch (or your Moon River Pearls box) away from
other gems so they don't get scratched or marred. It may be necessary
to have pearls restrung if they are worn frequently.
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