You can't get real pearls wet because they are organic gems with porous layers of nacre that can absorb moisture, chemicals, and oils, causing them to dull, yellow, weaken, or even crumble over time; water itself isn't the main enemy, but substances in tap water (chlorine), soaps, lotions, and sweat are damaging, while the silk thread holding them can also rot, leading to breakage.
Pearl earrings can get wet occasionally, but they don't like it. Repeated exposure to water will shorten their life and dull their shine. Pearls are organic gemstones made from layers of nacre. That nacre is both delicate and slightly porous.
Experts warn that moisture can seep into the pearls' porous nacre, weakening their structure, causing layers to swell or separate, and quickly dulling their natural luster. Even routine activities like showering or washing hands can expose pearls to minerals and proteins that may stain or damage their surface.
Pearls and water are a no-no
Remember to take off your pearl jewelry before going for a shower where the chemicals in your shampoo and soap may damage the pearls. Similarly, never wear your pearls in the pool because the chemicals in the pool water are bad for pearls.
It doesn't hurt the oyster, it'd be similar to you sticking your finger under your tongue. They are kept in the ocean surrounded by a huge cage to keep predators out and they are fed regularly. Oysters farmed for pearls live better then most people.
Harvesting cultured pearls often kills the oyster, as many farms kill the animals after the first harvest for their meat and shell, though some try to recycle them for multiple harvests, while wild pearl harvesting kills thousands of oysters for just a few pearls. While some techniques allow oysters to survive and produce more pearls, especially with skilled intervention, the overall industry often involves stress, harm, and eventual death for most mollusks.
Fans of cultured pearls take pride in the fact that the oysters are bred in cruelty free environments on pearl farms. However, PETA disagrees because of the process which requires pearl farmers to surgically open oyster shells. They then manually insert some form of irritant inside.
Some argue that pearl jewelry is too delicate to wear everyday, but if you take the proper precautions to protect your piece, there's no reason not to!
Despite the origins of this substance, it is preferable to avoid any contact with water. Mother-of-pearl tends to retract when water evaporates from its surface, making it vulnerable to shrinkage.
Metaphysical Properties
Pearls also help protect us as they are exceptional at absorbing negative energy and keeping our auras pure and clear.
Matthew 13:45-46 The Message (MSG)
“Or, God's kingdom is like a jewel merchant on the hunt for exquisite pearls. Finding one that is flawless, he immediately sells everything and buys it.
It was Jackie Kennedy who said 'pearls are always appropriate,' meaning that they suit all occasions and all outfits. Indeed pearls are still worn by many brides on their wedding days and feature in most jewellers' windows today.
Pearls go yellow when they dehydrate. After all, pearls are formed in oysters or mussels and originate in either fresh or saltwater depending on the type of pearl. As such, yellowed pearls occur more frequently if you allow your pearls to dehydrate.
Pearls have an undeniable charm, but they are fragile and demand careful handling. Sleeping with your pearl necklace on can damage it due to friction with your pillow or sheets. Additionally, your sweat and body oils may dull your pearls' luster over time.
Pearls can easily crack or mark. So if you put your Pearls loose, say in a jewellery box, the other jewellery will rub against it causing scratches and marks on your Pearls. Always keep them secure where other jewellery wont knock into them, to avoid this.
Remember that the embellishments on your jewelry may not be waterproof. Pearls and corals, for example, are very delicate and can change color if they are repeatedly exposed to water. Also, be careful with synthetic embellishments. Enamels aren't usually suitable for getting wet.
VCA's onyx Alhambra pieces are a bit of a sweet spot. They're less expensive than mother-of-pearl or carnelian versions but carry the same design prestige.
Gen Z wears pearls for their versatility, breaking traditional norms, and aligning with values like authenticity and sustainability, thanks to celebrity influence (Harry Styles, Timothée Chalamet) and social media trends (TikTok) that blend classic elegance with edgy, gender-fluid styling. They redefine pearls from stuffy heirlooms to accessible, everyday expressions of individuality, often layered with streetwear.
Even if the oyster survives these two steps, it has no chance of getting through unscathed during removal of the pearls (up to 32 per creature) which can be after as long as seven years of pain and agony — only to produce a couple of culturedpearls.
Who Should Avoid Pearl? Pearl may not suit everyone. People with strong or negative Mars, Saturn, or Rahu in their horoscope should avoid wearing pearls. Pearl also doesn't go well with gemstones like Gomed (Hessonite), Lehsunia (Cat's Eye), or Neelam (Blue Sapphire).
Vegan Ethics and Oysters
Oysters are animals. If you don't eat animals for ethical reasons, oysters don't belong on your plate.
Is it ethical to wear pearls? Pearls are different from most gemstones because they don't have to be mined, a process that comes with its own detrimental environmental impact. But this doesn't mean their production doesn't raise ethical questions. The conditions have to be right for a pearl to form.
Saltwater pearls can grow in several species of marine pearl oysters in the family Pteriidae. Freshwater pearls grow within certain (but by no means all) species of freshwater mussels in the order Unionida, the families Unionidae and Margaritiferidae.