Properly caring for pearls: Cleaning, avoiding perfume & protecting their luster long-term

Pearls possess a very special luster. Unlike a faceted diamond, they do not sparkle through sharp light reflections, but rather through the soft, deep shimmer of their nacre layers.

However, it is precisely this surface that makes pearls more delicate than many other gemstones. Perfume, cosmetics, sweat, harsh cleaning agents, improper storage, and unsuitable cleaning methods can permanently impair their natural luster over time.

The good news: High-quality pearl jewelry is very easy to care for with a few simple habits.

In this guide, you will learn how to clean pearls properly, why they should ideally not come into direct contact with perfume and cosmetics, why ultrasonic cleaners are unsuitable, and how to safely store pearl necklaces and pearl earrings.

Why do pearls require special care?

Pearls differ fundamentally from diamonds and many mineral gemstones.

Their characteristic surface consists of layers of nacre. These create the typical silky luster and fine light reflections of a high-quality pearl.

At the same time, this surface is comparatively delicate.

On the Mohs hardness scale, pearls are approximately 2.5. A diamond, by contrast, has a hardness of 10.

This does not mean that pearl jewelry is particularly fragile. However, it does mean that the surface can be scratched more easily or damaged by improper handling.

The most important rule: Put pearls on last

One of the simplest and most effective rules for pearl jewelry is:

Cosmetics first – pearls last.

Apply the following first:

• perfume,
• hairspray,
• skin cream,
• makeup,
• sunscreen

and allow the products to absorb or dry as much as possible.

Only then should you put on your pearl necklace or pearl earrings.

Why can perfume damage pearls?

Perfume contains various ingredients that are not ideal for the delicate surface of a pearl.

If perfume is regularly sprayed directly onto a pearl necklace, residues can remain on the surface and permanently impair its natural luster over time.

The same applies to hairspray, cosmetics, and other chemical products.

Therefore, it is better to apply perfume to your skin or clothing before putting on your pearl jewelry.

And what about sweat?

Sweat can also come into contact with pearl jewelry.

This is almost impossible to avoid completely in everyday life and is no reason not to wear pearls.

This is precisely why after-wear care is important.

If you gently wipe the pearls afterward with a very soft, clean cloth, skin oils, sweat, and other residues can be removed before they remain on the surface for a long time.

Gently wipe pearls after every wear

For regular care, elaborate cleaning is usually not necessary.

After wearing them, a very soft, clean, and lint-free cloth is often sufficient.

Gently wipe each pearl without rubbing hard.

This removes:

• skin oils,
• light sweat residues,
• dust,
• cosmetic residues.

Can pearls be cleaned with water?

If necessary, pearls can be cleaned carefully with lukewarm water and a very mild soap solution.

The rule here is: gentle rather than intensive.

Do not use aggressive cleaners and do not scrub the surface.

With a pearl necklace, you should also consider that not only the pearls themselves but also the thread, knots, clasp, and any precious metals or other gemstones are part of the piece of jewelry.

Should a pearl necklace be soaked for a long time?

Prolonged soaking is not necessary.

Especially with pearls strung on thread, unnecessary moisture should be avoided.

If the necklace has become damp during a thorough cleaning, it should be allowed to dry completely before being worn again or stored in a closed container.

It is best to lay the necklace flat on a soft, clean cloth for this purpose.

Can you clean pearls with a toothbrush?

For diamond jewelry, a very soft brush is sometimes used. However, this recommendation should not automatically be applied to pearls.

Since pearls are significantly softer and more delicate, a soft cloth is usually the better choice for routine care.

Hard brushing or scrubbing should be avoided.

Can pearls be put in an ultrasonic cleaner?

No.

Pearl jewelry should not be cleaned in an ultrasonic cleaner.

The mechanical vibrations, which may be useful for more robust jewelry materials, are not suitable for delicate pearls.

This also applies even if the piece of jewelry contains diamonds or gold alongside the pearls.

For combined jewelry, the cleaning method is always dictated by the most delicate component.

Can a steam cleaner be used?

Professional or domestic steam cleaners are also not suitable for pearls.

Strong heat can impair the nacre layers and, in extreme cases, promote discoloration, dehydration, or damage.

For pearl jewelry, the rule is therefore:

No ultrasound and no steam.

Why shouldn't pearls be cleaned like diamonds?

Diamonds have an exceptionally high hardness and react to certain cleaning methods in a completely different way than pearls.

A piece of jewelry cannot be cleaned solely based on the fact that it contains a diamond.

If an earring, for example, consists of gold, diamonds, and a pearl, the delicate pearl determines which cleaning method is safe.

You can find more general tips on diamonds and precious metals in our Jewelry Care Guide by Sirius Diamant.

Do not use harsh household cleaners

Pearls should not be treated with aggressive household chemicals.

In particular, avoid:

• bleach,
• strong acids,
• aggressive descalers,
• abrasive cleaners,
• cleaning products with high alcohol content,
• silver or metal polishes applied directly to the pearls.

Even if the jewelry has a gold clasp, metal polish should never simply be spread over the entire pearl necklace.

Can I wear pearls while showering?

It is sensible to remove pearl jewelry before showering.

Shampoo, conditioner, shower gel, and other body care products can leave residues on the pearls.

Furthermore, the thread of a knotted pearl necklace will be unnecessarily soaked.

Can I swim with pearls?

Pearl jewelry should be removed before swimming.

This applies especially to:

• chlorinated swimming pools,
• hot tubs,
• seawater.

Beyond contact with water, chlorine, salt, sunscreen, and the risk of loss also play a role.

Wearing pearls while exercising?

High-quality pearl jewelry is not the ideal choice for intense exercise.

Sweat, vigorous movement, mechanical contact, and the risk of catching on clothing or equipment increase the stress unnecessarily.

A fine piece of jewelry should therefore be removed before athletic activities.

The "Last on, first off" rule

For pearl jewelry, a simple mnemonic is often used in English:

Last on, first off.

This means:

Pearls should be one of the last things put on after clothing, cosmetics, hair care, and perfume—and removed as one of the first pieces of jewelry when taking them off.

This reduces unnecessary contact with cosmetics and clothing.

How to store pearls correctly?

Pearls should be stored protected and, if possible, separate from harder pieces of jewelry.

Ideal storage includes, for example:

• a soft-lined jewelry compartment,
• a soft jewelry pouch,
• a separate area in a jewelry box.

It is particularly important that diamonds and sharp metal edges do not constantly rub directly against the pearls.

Why shouldn't pearls lie next to diamonds?

Diamonds are the hardest natural mineral and can scratch softer materials.

If a diamond ring is lying loosely together with a pearl necklace in a jewelry box, both pieces can rub against each other during movement.

For the pearl, this contact is particularly disadvantageous.

Therefore, high-quality jewelry should generally be stored separately whenever possible.

Should a pearl necklace be hung up?

A classic pearl necklace strung on thread should ideally lie flat for long-term storage.

If it is permanently hung up, the weight of the pearls can put additional strain on the thread.

Storing it flat on a soft surface protects both the pearls and the string.

Why are high-quality pearl necklaces often knotted?

Many classic pearl necklaces have a small knot between each individual pearl.

This has several practical advantages.

The pearls rub against each other less, and if the thread should ever break, the knots can prevent the entire row of pearls from sliding off the thread at once.

This is another reason why it is worth checking the condition of the knots occasionally.

When should a pearl necklace be restrung?

The thread of a frequently worn pearl necklace is a wear part.

An inspection is particularly advisable if:

• the thread is visibly frayed,
• knots appear to have loosened significantly,
• unusually large gaps are emerging,
• the thread is clearly discolored or damaged,
• the necklace drapes differently than it used to.

If in doubt, the necklace should be professionally inspected and, if necessary, restrung.

Why shouldn't pearls be polished heavily?

The luster of a pearl is not created by metal polish.

Vigorous rubbing or abrasive polishing agents can actually damage the delicate surface.

A pearl should therefore not be treated as if it were a gold or silver surface.

What to do if a pearl has lost its shine?

First, it should be determined whether there are merely residues on the surface or whether the nacre layer itself has been compromised.

Light skin and cosmetic residues can often be removed through gentle cleaning.

A damaged nacre layer, however, cannot simply be "brought back" through aggressive polishing.

For high-quality or sentimental jewelry, a professional assessment is advisable.

Can pearls be worn daily?

Yes. Pearls are not just jewelry for special occasions.

With reasonable care, modern pearl necklaces and pearl earrings can be worn regularly without any issues.

It is only important not to expose them to unnecessary chemical or mechanical stress.

You can find current designs in our Pearl Necklaces collection.

Caring for pearl earrings correctly

With pearl earrings, there is the additional factor of contact with skin, hair care products, and the earring backing.

After wearing them, the pearls should be wiped carefully.

The metal post and backing can be cleaned hygienically according to their construction, without allowing aggressive cleaning products to run over the pearl.

You can find a selection under Pearl Earrings.

Pearls with diamonds – which material determines the cleaning?

Sirius Diamant combines pearls with diamonds and gold in various pieces of jewelry.

This creates an appealing contrast between soft pearlescence and brilliant sparkle.

When cleaning, however, there is one important rule:

The most delicate material determines the method.

A method that would be problem-free for a loose diamond may be unsuitable for the pearl lying next to it.

Can a pearl get scratched?

Yes.

Due to their comparatively low hardness, pearls can be scratched by harder materials.

Therefore, they should not be transported loose together with diamond rings, metal chains, or other hard pieces of jewelry, for example.

Some caution is also advisable when placing them on hard surfaces.

Can heat damage pearls?

Strong heat should be avoided.

Very high temperatures can impair the nacre layers and, under unfavorable conditions, lead to dehydration, discoloration, or cracks.

This is precisely why hot steam cleaners are not suitable for pearls.

How should pearls be transported when traveling?

For travel, a soft, separate jewelry compartment or a suitable jewelry pouch is recommended.

The pearls should not lie loose in a bag together with other jewelry.

With a necklace, you should also ensure that it is not bent sharply or crushed between heavy objects.

What to do if perfume accidentally gets on the pearls?

A one-time accidental contact does not automatically mean the pearls are damaged.

Wipe the surface carefully afterward with a very soft, slightly dampened cloth and dry them gently.

Avoid frantic rubbing or aggressive remedies.

What to do if pearls are heavily soiled?

If gentle wiping is not enough or if it concerns particularly valuable jewelry, a professional cleaning is recommended.

This applies especially to jewelry with:

• delicate pearls,
• diamond settings,
• complicated mounts,
• older threads or knots,
• antique components.

A professional assessment prevents causing more harm than good through overly aggressive cleaning.

The most common pearl care mistakes

• Spraying perfume directly onto the pearls.
• Putting on pearl jewelry before applying hairspray.
• Cleaning pearls in an ultrasonic cleaner.
• Using a steam cleaner.
• Scrubbing with a hard brush.
• Rubbing metal polish over the pearls.
• Storing pearls loose together with diamonds.
• Storing a pearl necklace hanging up for a long period.
• Wearing a wet pearl strand immediately or putting it away while still closed.
• Ignoring damaged threads and loose knots.

Our simple care routine for pearl jewelry

1. Use perfume, cosmetics, and hair products first.
2. Let the products dry or absorb.
3. Put on the pearl jewelry afterward.
4. Remove jewelry for sports, showering, swimming, and intensive housework.
5. Gently wipe off with a soft cloth after wearing.
6. If necessary, clean gently with lukewarm water and mild soap.
7. Allow a pearl necklace that has become damp to dry completely.
8. Store pearls softly and separately from harder jewelry.
9. Regularly check the thread, knots, and clasp.

Pearls don't have to stay in the jewelry box

The special care requirements of pearls do not mean they should only be worn rarely.

On the contrary: pearls can be worn for both elegant occasions and modern everyday looks.

The decisive factor is handling their surface with care.

Anyone who knows the basic rules doesn't need to be afraid of wearing pearl jewelry.

Conclusion: Gentle care preserves their special luster

Pearls require different treatment than diamonds or pure precious metal surfaces.

Their nacre layers are comparatively soft and react sensitively to aggressive chemicals, strong heat, and abrasive cleaning.

The most important rules are therefore simple:

Perfume and cosmetics first, pearls last. Wipe gently after wearing. No ultrasound, no steam, and no aggressive cleaners. Store separately from harder pieces of jewelry.

With this uncomplicated care, high-quality pearl jewelry can retain its characteristic luster for a long time.

Discover our pearl necklaces from Sirius Diamant or combine classic pearlescence with modern designs from our pearl earrings collection.

For the care of diamonds, gold, and other pieces of jewelry, you will find additional information in our general jewelry care guide.