How to wear, clean, and store pearl jewelry.
Pearls are easier to care for than they may seem. You can wear them often. A few simple habits will help protect their surface, luster, and setting.
Here is the whole routine:
- Put pearls on after skincare, makeup, and perfume.
- Take them off before showering, swimming, or exercising.
- Wipe them after wearing.
- Store them separately from harder jewelry.
Put pearls on last
Finish your lotion, sunscreen, makeup, perfume, and hair products first. Let them dry, then put on your pearl jewelry. This reduces repeated contact between those products and the pearl surface.
Start with clean, dry hands. When possible, hold the clasp, hook, or post instead of rubbing the pearl itself.
Can pearl jewelry get wet?
A small splash will not ruin your pearls. Blot the piece gently with a soft cloth and leave it to dry fully before putting it away.
Still, remove pearl jewelry before showering, swimming, exercising, cleaning, or sleeping. Chlorine, bath products, household cleaners, heat, sweat, and repeated rubbing can affect the pearl or other parts of the piece. Water can also stay trapped in thread, adhesive, or settings.
Wipe after every wear
Use a clean, soft cloth to gently wipe the pearl and metal parts. This helps remove sweat, makeup, and other residue that can collect during the day.
If a dry cloth does not lift a mark, lightly dampen it with clean, lukewarm water. Do not scrub or press hard. A quick wipe is usually enough for routine care.
How to clean pearl jewelry safely
If the product details allow it, mix a drop of mild soap with lukewarm water for a more thorough clean. Dampen a soft cloth and wring it out well, then wipe the pearl gently.
Follow with another cloth lightly dampened with clean water to remove any soap. Leave the piece to air dry on a clean towel.
Avoid soaking the whole piece. Pearl jewelry can also contain metal, thread, adhesive, or other stones, and each part may need different care. Check the material details for your piece before cleaning it.
Never put pearl jewelry in an ultrasonic or steam cleaner. Avoid bleach, ammonia, toothpaste, baking soda, abrasive cloths, and harsh jewelry cleaners. Keep silver dip and metal polish away from the pearl surface.
If a strung piece becomes damp, lay it flat on a towel and wait until the thread is completely dry before wearing or storing it.
Store each piece separately
Place pearl jewelry in a soft pouch or a lined compartment where it cannot rub against harder jewelry. Fasten clasps to reduce tangles. Lay strung pearl necklaces flat instead of hanging them for long periods.
Store pearls at normal room temperature, away from direct sunlight, heaters, and very dry conditions. There is no need for a special storage product. A clean, soft space is enough.
Natural variation is not damage
Baroque pearls are naturally irregular. Their shape, ridges, small surface marks, tone, and luster can vary from one pearl to another. A pair may not look perfectly identical. These details are part of the pearl and will not disappear with cleaning.
New damage looks different. Check for a sharp crack, a flaking surface, a pearl that moves in its setting, a bent post, a weak clasp, or stretched and frayed thread. If you notice one of these changes, stop wearing the piece until it can be checked.
That is all most pearl jewelry needs. Before doing more than a gentle wipe, review the product details and our Materials & Care guidance. If you are unsure, contact us before using a cleaner.
Looking for a pearl piece to wear often? Explore the edit.