How to Care for Pearl Jewelry: A Complete Guide to Cleaning, Storing & Wearing Pearls

 

Pearls are unlike any other gemstone. They're organic — grown inside a living creature — and that makes them beautiful in a way that's impossible to replicate. It also makes them more delicate than most stones you'll encounter in jewelry. With a Mohs hardness of just 2.5 to 4.5, pearls scratch more easily than quartz, sapphire, or even glass. But with the right care, high-quality pearl jewelry can last decades and grow more beautiful over time.

This guide covers everything you need to know: how to clean pearl jewelry at home, how to store it, what to avoid, and how to care specifically for gold-filled pearl pieces. If you've just received your first pearl necklace, earrings, or bracelet — or you're wondering why your pearls look dull — start here.

Quick Answer: The Golden Rules of Pearl Care

• Put pearls on last, take them off first — after makeup, perfume, and hairspray are dry
• Wipe after every wear with a soft, slightly damp cloth
• Never submerge in water — no showering, swimming, or washing dishes while wearing them
• Store in a soft pouch, not an airtight bag, away from other jewelry
• Wear them regularly — the natural oils from your skin keep pearls hydrated and lustrous

What Damages Pearls the Fastest?

Before anything else — the four things that ruin pearls quickest:

• Perfume and hairspray — the acids dissolve nacre on contact
• Chlorine — pool water actively breaks down the surface layer
• Dry storage — airtight bags and dry environments cause yellowing and cracking
• Abrasion — harder gemstones and metal jewelry scratch pearl surfaces permanently

Everything else in this guide builds from these four. If you remember nothing else, remember these.

Can You Wear Pearl Jewelry Every Day?

Yes — and actually, you should. This surprises most people: pearls benefit from being worn regularly. The natural oils your skin produces keep the nacre hydrated and help maintain the surface luster. A pearl that sits unworn in a dry jewelry box for months is more likely to yellow and dull than one that's gently worn and wiped clean after each use.

The rules below exist not to discourage daily wear, but to make it safe. Wipe them after wearing, keep them away from chemicals, and store them properly — and your pearl jewelry will look better in ten years than it does today.

Why Pearls Need Special Care

Most gemstones are minerals — hard, stable, and relatively forgiving. Pearls are different. They're made of nacre, an organic substance composed primarily of calcium carbonate and water, secreted in thin layers by a mollusk over months or years. That nacre layer is what gives pearls their characteristic glow — a depth of light called luster — and it's what makes them vulnerable.

Because pearls contain water as part of their composition, they're sensitive to environments that are too dry. They're also vulnerable to acids and chemicals, which can dissolve the nacre layer and permanently dull the surface. This is why perfume, hairspray, chlorine, and even some skin lotions are genuinely harmful — not just recommendations to ignore.

The good news: pearl care is simple once you know the rules. None of it is complicated, and most of it just means adjusting the order in which you put on and take off your jewelry.

How to Clean Pearl Jewelry at Home

After Every Wear (Takes 30 Seconds)

After taking your pearls off, wipe them gently with a soft cloth — microfiber or fine cotton works well. A barely damp cloth is ideal; just enough moisture to lift any oils, perfume residue, or dirt from the surface. Then let them air dry completely before putting them away.

This single habit does more for pearl longevity than anything else. Accumulated skin oils, cosmetics, and perspiration are the most common causes of dull, lifeless-looking pearls.

Deeper Cleaning (As Needed)

When a simple wipe-down isn't enough, a mild soap-and-water solution works well. Here's how to do it properly:

1. Mix a small drop of gentle dish soap or baby soap into a bowl of lukewarm water
2. Dampen a soft cloth in the solution — do not submerge the pearls
3. Wipe each pearl gently, one at a time
4. Follow immediately with a clean damp cloth to remove soap residue
5. Lay flat to dry completely before storing — this is especially important for strung pearl necklaces, as wet silk thread stretches and weakens

What Never to Use on Pearls

• Ultrasonic cleaners — the vibrations fracture nacre
• Steam cleaners — heat damages pearls permanently
• Standard jewelry cleaning solutions — most contain chemicals that dissolve nacre
• Toothpaste, baking soda, or abrasive cloths — scratch the surface irreversibly
• Nail polish remover — destroys nacre immediately

How to Store Pearl Jewelry

Storage is where many people unknowingly damage their pearls. Two common mistakes: storing them in airtight bags, and tossing them in a jewelry box with harder stones.

The Right Way to Store Pearls

• Use a soft pouch or lined jewelry box — velvet, silk, or soft cotton all work well
• Store separately from other jewelry — harder gemstones and metal clasps scratch pearls easily
• Never use airtight plastic bags — pearls need a small amount of ambient humidity to stay hydrated. A sealed environment dries them out and accelerates yellowing
• Avoid direct sunlight and heat sources — UV light and heat dry out the nacre, causing discoloration and eventually cracking
• Don't hang pearl necklaces for storage — this puts tension on the thread and stretches or weakens it over time. Lay them flat instead

Long-Term Storage

If you're storing pearl jewelry for an extended period, add a small, barely damp cloth or sponge in a corner of the storage box — not touching the pearls — to maintain a bit of ambient humidity. Take them out occasionally to wear them, which is the best humidity treatment of all.

What to Avoid When Wearing Pearls

Chemicals That Damage Pearls

Pearls are alkaline in nature. Acidic or chemical substances break down the nacre layer — sometimes visibly, sometimes gradually. The main culprits:

• Perfume and hairspray — spray these first, let them dry completely, then put on your pearls
• Lotion and sunscreen — apply and allow to absorb before wearing pearl jewelry
• Chlorine — pool water is particularly harmful, as chlorine actively dissolves nacre
• Saltwater — dulls the surface over time
• Household cleaners — even mild ones. Remove pearls before cleaning
• Perspiration — wipe after exercise or wearing in heat

Physical Risks

• Don't wear pearls while exercising — a single impact against a hard surface can chip or crack the nacre
• Don't sleep in pearl necklaces or bracelets — friction and pressure wear the surface over time
• Don't stack pearl bracelets with metal or stone bracelets — the contact will scratch the pearls

Caring for Gold-Filled Pearl Jewelry

Our pearl pieces are set in 14k gold filled or sterling silver — which adds a layer of care to consider. The good news is that gold filled is significantly more durable than gold plated, so the metal itself holds up well to regular wear. But the pearl still sets the care rules for the piece.

For gold-filled pearl jewelry specifically:

• Wipe the entire piece — pearl and metal — with a damp cloth after wearing
• The gold-filled chain or setting can handle occasional contact with mild soap and water, but don't soak the piece
• Avoid chlorine and saltwater for the metal as well as the pearl
• Store in a soft pouch as you would any pearl piece
• See our full guide to cleaning gold-filled jewelry for more detail on the metal care

Our Favorite Pearl Pieces for Everyday Wear

Every pearl piece we make uses genuine freshwater pearls set in 14k gold filled, sterling silver, or rose gold filled — handcrafted in our New York City studio since 2005. These are the pieces we'd reach for first — simple enough to wear daily, special enough to give as a gift. Browse the full Pearl Collection →

If you want a necklace

The Dainty Pearl Pendant Necklace ($62) is the most versatile starting point — a single freshwater pearl on a fine chain that works alone or layered. For something more dimensional, the Pearl Station Necklace ($82) spaces three pearls along the chain for a more modern look. The Circle Necklace with Pearls ($68) frames freshwater pearls in an open circle pendant — architectural and distinctive.

If you want earrings

The Sparrow Hoop Pearl Earrings ($62) are our most wearable pearl earring — a small pearl dropping from a delicate hoop, subtle and very easy. For something more classic, the Freshwater Pearl Drop Earrings ($78) are a timeless choice. The Moonstone and Pearl Threader Earrings ($78) pair two June birthstones — pearl and moonstone — in one piece.

If you want a bracelet

The Freshwater Pearl Bracelet ($54) has three genuine pearls on a dainty chain — our most popular pearl bracelet. For something even more understated, the Single Pearl Bracelet ($52) keeps it to one centered pearl on a slim chain.

Pearl is the traditional June birthstone. Learn more in our Pearl Meaning & June Birthstone Guide and our June Birthstone Gift Guide.

Frequently Asked Questions About Pearl Care

Can you get pearl jewelry wet?

Pearls should be kept away from water as much as possible. Chlorine, saltwater, and even tap water can dull the nacre over time. Remove pearl jewelry before showering, swimming, or washing dishes. Occasional light moisture won't ruin a pearl, but prolonged exposure will.

How do you clean pearl jewelry at home?

Wipe pearls gently with a soft, slightly damp cloth after each wear to remove oils, perfume, and dirt. For a deeper clean, use a cloth dampened with a very mild soap and warm water solution — never submerge pearls or use ultrasonic cleaners. Allow pearls to dry completely before storing.

How should you store pearl jewelry?

Store pearls in a soft pouch or lined jewelry box, away from other jewelry that could scratch them. Never store pearls in airtight plastic bags — pearls need a small amount of humidity to stay lustrous. Avoid direct sunlight and extreme heat, which can dry out and yellow pearls over time.

What damages pearl jewelry?

Perfume, hairspray, lotion, chlorine, saltwater, ultrasonic cleaners, and abrasive surfaces all damage pearls. They're also sensitive to heat, direct sunlight, and dry environments. Put pearls on last and take them off first to minimize chemical exposure.

Can you wear pearl jewelry every day?

Yes — pearls actually benefit from regular wear because the natural oils from your skin keep them hydrated and lustrous. The key is wiping them down after each wear and avoiding chemical exposure from perfume, lotions, and cleaning products.

Why do pearls turn yellow?

Pearls yellow when their nacre dries out — usually from storage in dry or airtight conditions, heat, sunlight, or lack of wear. Wearing pearls regularly and storing them properly slows yellowing significantly. Once yellowed, the color is very difficult to reverse.

How do you care for gold-filled pearl jewelry specifically?

Wipe the entire piece after each wear. The gold-filled chain or setting can handle mild soap and water occasionally, but don't soak it. Avoid chlorine and saltwater for both the pearl and the metal. Store in a soft pouch as you would any pearl piece.

More Pearl & Jewelry Care Guides

Pearl Meaning & June Birthstone Guide  |  June Birthstone Gift Guide  |  What Is Gold-Filled Jewelry?  |  How to Clean Gold-Filled Jewelry  |  Moonstone Meaning Guide