With a chart-topping score of 10 on the Mohs scale — which ranks the relative ability of one mineral to scratch another — diamonds are durable enough to wear all day, every day. Pearls, however, rank at just 2.5 on that scale. The organic gems are easily scratched and notoriously delicate.
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.
They're not suitable for everyday wear. A pearl's toughness (a stone's resistance to chipping and breaking) is good but can become weakened due to aging and dehydration over time. Pearls are also porous and can become damaged from chemicals and acids such as hair spray, perfume, or household cleaners.
Pearls are organic and do contain trace amounts of water. Storing them in an airtight environment will cause them to become brittle and damage the luster. ... they should be strung about once a year to prevent strand breakage.
Pearls are among the softest jewelry pieces, having the same hardness as your finger nails, making them softer than most of the available stones. This makes it hard for them to retain their sheen and shape if not handled carefully. Real pearls can chip or peel fairly easily in comparison to other jewelry items.
Pearls, however, rank at just 2.5 on that scale. The organic gems are easily scratched and notoriously delicate. “Pearl can be damaged by many chemicals and all acids,” the Gemological Institute of America warns in its pearl care and cleaning guide.
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.
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.
Take Proper Care of Your Pearls
Conversely, you should always remove your pearls first before getting ready for bed or going to sleep. Do not sleep, shower or bathe while wearing your pearls.
Don't wear them in the swimming pool
Harmful chemicals such as chlorine in a pool can effect or cloud the lustre of a pearl and in some instances etch or pit the surface. Wearing a strand of pearls in water can also lead the silk thread they are strung with, to stretch.
While pearls may appear hard and shiny, the surface of a pearl is actually quite porous, and will absorb the natural oils from your body. If pearls are not worn every four months or so, they can dry out and become dull and yellowed.
"Pearls," he said, "must be worn frequently to preserve them. If you take a pearl necklace and lock it up you will find that in the course of years the pearls become dull and lose the sheen that makes them so valuable.
Pearl oysters have been reported to live as long as 25 years.
Astrology says that the people whose zodiac signs lords are Mercury, Venus, Saturn and Rahu should never wear pearls. Pearls harm the natives of these zodiac signs. This means that people of Taurus, Gemini, Virgo, Capricorn and Aquarius ascendant should not wear pearls.
As with many metals and gemstones, a little scratch can do wonders when it comes to figuring out if a pearl is real. Using the tip of a knife, create a tiny impression in the surface. A real pearl will yield a small amount of dust or powder, while coated beads will reveal the surface of the glass.
Pearls contain organic substance, which can dry out and decay, which is why pearls have their certain life span, after which pearls start to grow dim, exfoliate and are finally destructed. This means special attention is required to ensure pearls will stay beautiful and last for hundreds of years.
Acetone will not harm pearls, but never use ammonia, vinegar, or chlorine bleach near your pearls. These harsh liquids will react with the pearl coating and dissolve them. Wearing your pearls often and exposing them to moisture, your body oils, and heat also helps keeps them shiny.
Pearls can always be trusted to be proper, so they are allowed out at any time of day or night. It is diamonds, rubies, sapphires and emeralds that have time restrictions. They should not show themselves in daylight, unless they are respectably set in engagement or wedding rings.
Slow the Aging Process
The regeneration properties of pearl extracts are also beneficial for slowing the aging process. Regenerating new cells helps to makes the skin smooth, fine, elastic and naturally beautiful. It also helps to prevent the skin from appearing to be aged, wrinkled and sagging.
First things first – Remove those pearls.
She suggests to remove pearl jewelry from the hand-sanitizing process entirely. Sanitized skin should not come into contact with your pearls until completely dry and evaporated—wait about five minutes before putting on your pearls.
If you inherit a very old strand that look yellow, you may need to invest in a restringing but gently wash them and check out the results first. If your pearl feel gummy or sticky after washing, they may not be real pearls. To check and see if they are real, bring them in and we can inspect them for you.
After wearing pearls, wipe them with a soft cloth to remove any traces of cosmetic products or body sweat. To shine pearls, you can put a few drops of olive oil, coconut oil or monoi oil on the pearls, and then wipe them with a soft cloth to remove the excess oil. Pearls should be stored separately from other jewelry.
Kate and Meghan's choice to wear pearls, though, goes beyond it being a tradition. It's a special shout-out to the Queen herself, who loved wearing them on the day-to-day.
The etiquette on wearing a pearl necklace during the day, traditionally, is to wear a single pearl stand with a blouse. Over the years, as with so many things, the rules have gone out the window and pearls are no exception! The joy of owning pearl necklaces is that they really do with everything, on every occassion.