Pearls are organic gemstones, meaning they’re produced by a living creature (as opposed to inorganic stones like rubies and diamonds). Because of this they are more fragile than other stones and need more care and attention. If looked after properly however pearls will remain beautiful for generations. There are just a few golden rules to follow:

Put pearls on last and take them off first

Pearls can be damaged by make-up, perfume and other substances, so when you’re getting ready for an evening out be sure to put your pearls on last. This will minimise their exposure to harmful chemicals.

Don’t wear pearls for sport

Similarly you shouldn’t expose your pearls to chlorinated water or even body sweat as these can eat through the delicate layers of nacre. We’re sure you’ll keep your necklace for special occasions, but even so it’s worth warning not to wear your pearls when playing sport!

Clean pearls with a damp cloth

Pearls shouldn’t be exposed to any cleaning solutions, but you should gently wipe them after you wear them. This will remove any traces of perfume, sweat etc that can damage them over time.

Store pearls in a soft box

Because pearls are relatively fragile they can be damaged by rubbing against the rest of your jewellery. To prevent this always store your pearls in their own padded bag or box. Don’t shut them away however – pearls actually need a little moisture in the atmosphere so airtight boxes are to be avoided, as is direct sunlight!

Re-string them every year

All of our pearls are strung on silk and over time this can become stretched and discoloured. Depending on how often you wear them, you’ll need to have your pearls re-strung every so often. This means your necklace will always look fantastic and you’ll never have to worry about it breaking.

Now that you know how to look after your pearls, take a look at our gorgeous collection of pearl jewellery - the perfect gift for any special occasion.