How to Care for Pearls: Timeless Tips to Keep the Luster Alive
Pearls are the only gem that needs you to wear them. Everything else is about keeping them away from the things that harm them.
Why pearls need gentle, intentional care
Unlike diamonds or sapphires, pearls are organic gems made primarily of nacre — the substance a mollusk secretes, layer by layer, around an irritant inside its shell. That process takes anywhere from six months to several years.
The result is soft (about 2.5–4.5 on the Mohs scale) and porous, which means pearls absorb oils, perfumes, and moisture easily. A few careless habits can dull that signature luster in months instead of decades.
The good news: the right routine is simple, and it becomes second nature quickly.
Wear them — genuinely
This is the advice that surprises people. Nacre contains a small amount of water — a couple of percent — and pearls can dry out if they sit in a drawer for years. Wearing them keeps them in contact with the natural oils of your skin, which helps maintain moisture and luster.
Pearls kept for "special occasions" and worn twice a decade often fare worse than pearls worn weekly. Use them.
Your daily routine
- Put pearls on last. Apply makeup, perfume, hairspray, and lotions first. These contain alcohols, acids, and oils that can etch or cloud nacre over time.
- Wipe after every wear. A soft, lint-free cloth removes skin oils, makeup, and environmental residue. Ten seconds keeps luster bright and prevents buildup.
- Let them breathe. Lay them flat on a soft surface for an hour or two before storing, so absorbed moisture can evaporate.
Do and do not
| Do | Never |
|---|---|
| Wipe with a soft dry cloth after wearing | Ultrasonic cleaners, steam, or jewelry cleaner |
| Store flat, in a soft pouch or the box | Hang a strand — it stretches the silk |
| Keep them apart from diamonds and hard stones | Store in a sealed plastic bag — traps moisture |
| Put them on after perfume and hairspray | Wear them in a pool, a hot tub, or the shower |
| Restring every one to two years with regular wear | Leave a strand unworn for a decade and then wear it |
How to clean pearls safely
Never use ultrasonic cleaners, steam, or harsh chemicals on pearls. They damage nacre.
The method we use:
- Mix a few drops of mild, pH-neutral soap (baby shampoo works) in lukewarm distilled water.
- Dampen a soft cloth or cotton swab — never soak the pearls.
- Wipe each pearl individually.
- Rinse the cloth in clean water and wipe again to remove soap residue.
- Pat dry with a fresh towel and air-dry completely before storing.
For strands, do this only when needed — every 6–12 months is usually plenty. Over-cleaning loosens knots and stretches silk.
Storage
- Store in the box we provide — never a sealed plastic bag, which traps moisture.
- Keep them apart from harder gems. A diamond bracelet beside a pearl strand will scratch the pearls.
- Store strands flat, not hanging. Hanging stretches the silk over time.
- Cool, dry, out of direct sunlight. Avoid bathrooms (too humid) and sunny windowsills (fades color).
What to avoid
- Chlorine pools and hot tubs — bleaches and weakens nacre
- Hair products, body sprays, sunscreen
- Rough surfaces
- Hot cars — heat can crack the surface
- The gym, and cooking — sweat and heat together dull the surface
Pearl and diamond pieces
Many of our designs pair pearls with diamonds. Treat the pearl as above; the metal and stones can take a soft brush and warm soapy water. Keep the brush away from the pearl itself.
More on that pairing in diamond and pearl: the Isaac Westman pairing.
When to send a piece in
Some things are worth handing to someone with a bench. We offer complimentary annual service, which covers:
- Inspection and cleaning — we check settings, clasps, and prongs, and clean without compromising luster.
- Restringing — if silk has stretched or knots have loosened. Restringing prevents losing pearls, and it is far cheaper than replacing them. Roughly yearly with frequent wear; every two to three years otherwise.
- Repair and restoration — for damaged or heirloom pieces you want brought back.
Please don't attempt repairs at home. Re-knotting silk and re-setting pearls are bench skills, and a well-meant fix often costs more to undo than the original problem.
A little care goes a lifetime
Pearls are meant to be handed down. The Tahitian that traveled from a Polynesian lagoon. The Akoya studs from your grandmother. The freshwater strand bought to mark something.
Cared for properly, they outlast all of us. That is rather the point.
Questions about a specific piece, or want to send something in? Reach us at sales@isaacwestman.com or 1-347-389-0766.
Frequently asked questions
How do you clean pearls?
Wipe them with a soft, lint-free cloth after every wear. For a deeper clean, dampen a soft cloth in lukewarm water with a few drops of mild, pH-neutral soap, wipe each pearl, wipe again with clean water, and let them dry completely. Never soak pearls or use ultrasonic cleaners, steam, or harsh chemicals.
How should pearls be stored?
Store them flat in a soft pouch or box, away from diamonds and other hard stones that can scratch them. Do not hang a strand, which stretches the silk, and avoid sealed plastic bags, which trap moisture.
How often should a pearl necklace be restrung?
Roughly once a year with frequent wear, and every two to three years otherwise. Restring sooner if you can see thread between the pearls or the knots have loosened.
Can you wear pearls every day?
Yes, and it is good for them. Pearls benefit from contact with skin, and those worn regularly often fare better than pearls kept in a drawer. Put them on last, after perfume and hairspray, and wipe them after wearing.
Next: which pearl is right for me, or what AAA pearl grading actually means. Browse the pearl collection.
Heirlooms in the making.
ISAAC WESTMAN® · New York · Founded 1982