Freshwater Pearls

Caring For Your Pearls

Pearls are softer than other gemstones.  Always wipe them with a soft cloth after wearing.  Body oils, makeup, hair sprays and perfumes can spot and weaken their surfaces.  Use warm, soapy water to clean pearls.  Do not use cleaning solvents or ultrasonic cleaners.  Store pearls in soft cloth or pouch. Pearls should be put on after the application of cosmetics, perfume or hair spray.  After they are worn, a soft camp cloth may be sued to wipe them free of any harmful elements.  Cultured pearls should be washed periodically with mild soap. Cultured pearls must be kept away from hard or sharp jewelry that could scratch them.  Pearls are best stored in a soft cloth pouch, or in a separately lined segment of a jewelry box. Body oils can damage the silk or nylon thread on which pearls are strung.  If the pearls are worn often, it is best to have them restrung once a year.

THE QUALITY BASICS OF PEARLS Here are the factors that make a pearl valuable: 1.  Luster: The combination of surface brilliance and a deep-seated glow, the luster of a good quality pearl should be bright, not dull.  Any pearl that looks too chalky or dull indicates low quality. 2.  Surface:  Cleanliness of the pearl surface refers to the absence of disfiguring spots, bumps or cracks.  A pearl with a clean surface will have a higher value than a spotted or cracked one. 3.  Shape:  Because cultured pearls are grown by oysters and subject to the whims of nature, it is very rare to find a perfectly round pearl.  While rounder pearls are more valuable, asymmetrical, or baroque, pearls have a unique charm and are available at a lower cost. 4.  Color:  Cultured pearls occur in colors from rose to black.  While color is a matter of preference, rose or silver/white pearls tend to look best on fair skin tones, while cream and gold-tone pearls are flattering to darker complexions. 5.  Size:  Measured by diameter in millimeters, generally, the larger the pearl, the more valuable it will be.