How to Care for and Clean Pearls
Learn how to care for pearl jewelry: wipe after wear, avoid chemicals and heat, store safely, and check strands for signs that restringing is needed.
Put pearl jewelry on after cosmetics and perfume, then gently wipe it with a soft cloth after wear. Protect pearls from heat, harsh chemicals and abrasion, and store them separately from harder jewelry. Check strands for stretched or weakened string. Follow care guidance for the entire piece and seek professional advice for fragile or valuable items.
Source basis: GIA · View referencesThis page summarizes information from the institutional sources listed below. Statements attributed to a laboratory, standards body or regulator reflect that source; Pearlpedia's explanatory wording is editorial synthesis, not a substitute for a laboratory report or legal guidance.
Pearls need gentler care than many gemstones
Pearls are organic gem materials and can be damaged by heat, chemicals and abrasion.
GIA specifically warns about exposure to hair spray, perfume, cosmetics and acidic perspiration.
The safest care routine is simple and low-tech.
Put pearls on last
Apply perfume, hair products and cosmetics before putting on pearl jewelry.
This reduces the amount of chemical residue that lands directly on the pearl surface.
After wearing pearls, wipe them gently with a soft cloth.
Avoid harsh cleaners
Do not assume a cleaner that is safe for diamond or metal jewelry is safe for pearls.
Strong chemicals, acids and aggressive cleaning methods can damage pearl surfaces.
Ultrasonic or steam cleaning is generally not the default choice for pearls.
When cleaning is necessary, follow guidance appropriate to the pearl and the full jewelry construction—not only the pearl itself.
Watch the string
A pearl necklace can fail even if the pearls remain beautiful.
Over time, string material can stretch, soil or weaken.
GIA notes that a strand showing excessive string can be restrung.
For frequently worn valuable strands, periodic inspection by a competent jeweler or pearl specialist is sensible.
Storage matters
Pearls can be scratched by harder jewelry materials.
Store them so that diamonds, metal edges and other hard gemstones do not rub against the pearl surface.
Avoid placing pearl jewelry under heavy objects that could stress stringing or settings.
The goal is preservation, not over-cleaning
Pearls do not need aggressive polishing to look good.
Routine wiping, thoughtful storage and minimizing chemical exposure are usually more important than frequent deep cleaning.
If a pearl item is antique, treated, unusually valuable or structurally fragile, professional advice is preferable to experimenting with cleaning methods.