In brief. Pearls should be cleaned with a soft, dry cloth after each use, put on after perfume, creams, and hairspray, and never immersed in water, cleaning solutions, or ultrasonic cleaners. Store them separately from other jewelry in a soft pouch, in a dry place away from heat sources. The reason is simple: a pearl is not a stone, but an organic material made of layers of nacre, which is sensitive to acids, alcohol, and heat. Full instructions for all LELUNE materials can be found on the Jewelry Care page.
Why do pearls require different care than other stones?
A cultured pearl is produced by a mollusk that deposits very thin layers of nacre, which is calcium carbonate bound by an organic substance. It is a porous and relatively soft material: on the Mohs scale, nacre is around 2.5–4, well below a diamond (10) or a sapphire (9). This explains three practical points:
- Acids dull them. Sweat, perfume, hairspray, vinegar, lemon juice, and detergents attack the surface and cause it to lose its luster.
- They scratch easily. When kept with other jewelry in a jewelry box, they can be marked by contact with harder metals and stones.
- Heat and dry air dehydrate them. The organic component can shrink, risking micro-cracks on the surface.
The Gemological Institute of America recommends cleaning pearls with a soft cloth and explicitly advises against ultrasonic cleaners and steam cleaners. The differences between the various types of pearls are explained in the guide to Akoya, Tahitian, and freshwater pearls.
How should you clean pearls after wearing them?
The daily routine is simple and takes ten seconds.
- As soon as you take off your jewelry, wipe each pearl with a soft, dry microfiber cloth using light motions. This serves to remove sweat and cosmetic residue before they set.
- If the jewelry has metal parts, use the same cloth on those as well: there are specific cloths for 925 silver, but they must be used only on the metal, never on the pearl.
- Place the jewelry back in its case immediately.
What never to do: immerse pearls in water or jewelry cleaning solutions, use alcohol, acetone, ammonia, bleach, toothpaste, or baking soda, and use ultrasonic cleaners or steam cleaners. In necklaces with pearls strung on silk or nylon thread, water that penetrates the pearl's hole does not evaporate and can weaken the thread from the inside.
What if the pearl is visibly dirty?
Lightly dampen a corner of the cloth with water (only water), wipe the individual pearl, and dry immediately with the dry part of the cloth. Leave the jewelry out in the air, placed horizontally, for about ten minutes before storing it: a wet necklace left hanging tends to stretch the thread. If the dirt does not come off, do not insist: take it to a jeweler.
How should pearls be stored?
- Separately. Each piece of pearl jewelry in its own soft case or fabric pouch, not mixed with rings and chains.
- Horizontally. Store necklaces laid flat, not hanging: the weight of the pearls over time will stretch the thread.
- In a dry, but not airtight place. Avoid the bathroom (humidity) and vacuum-sealed containers or excessive silica gel, which can dehydrate the nacre.
- Away from heat and direct light. Not on furniture in front of a window, not near a radiator.
- Do not keep them in a safe for months without ever wearing them: very dry air is not good for pearls.
How often should a pearl necklace be restrung?
It depends on usage. A necklace worn daily should be checked once a year: signs that it needs restringing include visible space between the pearls near the clasp, a gray or frayed thread, or pearls that rotate with friction. A necklace worn only a few times a year can last many years without intervention. Checking the clasp periodically is just as important: it is the part that fails most often. For assistance, you can write to us via the Contact page.
Do pearls change color over time?
A well-maintained pearl keeps its color for decades. Yellowing or dulling is not an inevitable process: in almost all cases, it is the result of repeated contact with cosmetics, perfumes, sweat, or chemicals, or storage in an environment that is too hot or too dry. Once the surface layer of nacre is damaged, the color cannot be restored through home cleaning, which is why prevention counts more than any remedy.
How do you care for pearls combined with other materials?
Many LELUNE jewels combine pearls with other elements, and the rule is always that of the most delicate material: the pearl wins.
- Pearls and 18kt gold (LELUNE and LELUNE Diamonds collections): 18kt gold does not oxidize, so a dry cloth on the whole piece of jewelry is enough.
- Pearls and 925 silver (LELUNE Glamour line): silver can oxidize naturally; use the silver cloth only on the metal parts, protecting the pearl. A comparison between the two metals can be found in 925 silver or 18kt gold for pearl jewelry.
- Pearls and natural stones (turquoise, aquamarine, rose quartz, jade): many natural stones are also porous, so no immersion and no chemicals.
- Pearls and diamonds: diamonds would tolerate more aggressive cleaning, but pearls will not. The pearl rule applies.
- Elastic bracelets: do not force the elastic when putting them on; open your hand and slide them on. Elastic stretched for too long will deform.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can pearls be washed with soap and water?
No. Pearls should not be immersed in water or treated with soap or detergents: water that enters the pearl's hole does not evaporate and can weaken the thread from the inside, while detergents attack the nacre surface. The correct cleaning method is a soft, dry cloth after every use.
Can an ultrasonic cleaner be used for pearls?
No, never. Ultrasonic vibrations and steam can damage the nacre layer and loosen the glue holding the pearl to its post. The Gemological Institute of America advises against both methods for pearls.
Can you sleep or shower with pearls?
No. Jewelry should be removed before showering, bathing, swimming, or engaging in sports and household chores, as indicated on the Jewelry Care page. Sleeping with a pearl necklace strains the thread and the clasp.
Do pearls get ruined if I don't use them?
They can lose their luster if left for years in a very dry or very hot environment: nacre contains an organic component that needs normal air humidity. Wearing them occasionally and storing them in a soft case in a dry, but not airtight, place is the best condition.
How should a long pearl necklace be stored?
Laid flat in its case, not hanging: when hanging, the weight of the pearls progressively stretches the thread. If it is very long, store it in a wide spiral without tight bends.
Do cultured pearls require more care than natural pearls?
No, the care is the same: both are real pearls formed by a mollusk and have the same nacre structure. The difference between cultured pearls and imitations is explained in cultured pearls or imitations.
To choose a pearl: pearl guide. For necklace and bracelet sizing: sizing guide. All answers about pearl jewelry: guide to LELUNE pearl jewelry.