Unfortunately there is no way to remove a scratch from a pearl. If this ring is for you, you could use a pearl nail polish to cover the scratch and wear it proudly as a sample of your work, but if it is for sale, I am sorry to tell you that you really should replace the pearl.
Because of this anatomy, scratches are permanent; they cannot be polished out like you can with other gemstones. Pearls are also sensitive to heat and chemicals, which can be damaging to their fragile surface. Because of this, no harsh chemicals should ever be used to clean pearls.
Over time, pearls can become yellowish. When this happens, you can clean your pearls to restore their color and luster. Bear in mind that acid and alkaline chemicals can cause irreparable damage to pearls. This pearl cleaning process should therefore be undertaken with the utmost care.
Cosmetics, sun block, perfume and hairspray all contain chemicals that can dramatically dull the luster of a pearl. The natural acids contained in body oils and perspiration can also damage pearls in the same way.
You can clean or brighten new or vintage pearls at home using a mild detergent or dish soap. If your pearls have become yellow, try whitening them or restoring their shine with acetone. Acetone will not harm pearls, but never use ammonia, vinegar, or chlorine bleach near your pearls.
The gem has to be protected from heating and open fire (due to the fact that pearls contain 2% of water, they can crack and loose their luster). Keep them away from acid attacks, abrasives, exhalations and cosmetics. Mostly jewelers “revive” pearls with weak solutions of hydrochloric acid or acetic acid.
Unfortunately, because pearls are delicately formed layers of calcium, they can flake if they're damaged. To prevent your precious pearls from peeling, keep them away from harsh chemicals or cosmetics and don't allow the pearls to rub against each other.
The surface of a pearl is soft and is easily damaged. Pearls set in rings and bracelets are more subject to scuffing and scratching than pearls set in brooches, earrings, necklaces or strands.
Do this Very Gently, pearls are soft. - rating no more than a 3 on the Moh's Hardness Scale - which is equivalent to Talc, so you really want to avoid scratching the pearls' surfaces.
Pearls are organic gemstones that are vulnerable to acid, alkaline and extremes of humidity. To preserve your pearls' radiance, avoid letting them come into contact with cosmetics, hair spray, or perfume. Always put on your jewelry as a final touch, after applying make-up and styling hair.
If your pearl is authentic, you'll notice bubbles starting to appeal on its surface. This is because the acetic acid in vinegar is strongly reactive when exposed to calcium carbonate.
The qualities that determine the overall value of a natural or cultured pearl or a piece of pearl jewelry are size, shape, color, luster, surface quality, nacre quality, and—for jewelry with two or more pearls—matching.
Wetting pearls is never a good idea, as it begins to destroy the jewel. Pearl necklaces are damaged when they get wet, because the water damages both the thread and the pearl . When wet, the thread that holds the beads together begins to stretch and lengthen, so it quickly loses the desired shape.
The soft, luminous surface of pearls contrasts beautifully with other textures, however abrasive beading on clothing, rough fabrics, metal fasteners (e.g. zippers) and other jewellery or accessories can scratch or dull your pearls, particularly with frequent wear. Take particular care with rings and bracelets.
We suggest using a polishing cloth that does not contain chemicals or abrasives. We carry the Selvyt® polishing cloth which is a wonderful product to polish both pearls and sterling silver.
Pearls harm the natives of these zodiac signs. This means that people of Taurus, Gemini, Virgo, Capricorn and Aquarius ascendant should not wear pearls.
Real pearls wear out and age, what is visible in getting mat, cracking, peeling, chipping off, and finally scattering into a fine powder. The life of a natural pearl is estimated at about 100-150 years, but there are few specimens up to several hundred years.
Is it OK to wear pearls everyday? Absolutely. Pearl jewelry should be worn and enjoyed frequently, so avoid leaving your pearls in a security box for long periods of time. But as many jewelry, pearls are beautiful, but they are delicate and should be worn with care.
If there is a minor scratch on the outer surface of your pearl, there is still a little chance that gently cleaning your pearl and hydrating them by light washing can reduce the visible marks. However, if the nacre of the pearl is damaged, unfortunately, replacing the pearl is the only option available.
Treated correctly, pearl jewellery can last a lifetime — making a timeless addition to a wardrobe, or perfect heirlooms for future generations. To ensure their longevity, proper storage is vital.
Worn often and properly cared for, pearls can look as good in 50 years as they did the day they left the store. Pearls are not the most durable of gems. Most everyday items at home and in the office are tougher than pearls, so careless contact can cause damage them over time. Chemicals are the primary threat.
Pearls with particular brand names will also retain (and even increase) their value over the years; vintage Mikimoto Akoya pearls that still have their original clasp, box and papers to establish provenance are very highly sought after today and continue to fetch premium resale values.