Can Your Pearl Jewelry Get Wet? 7 Things I Learned About Pearl Necklaces

I’ve been working with pearls and pearl jewelry for a long time. I’ve seen beautiful, lustrous pearl necklaces that have been passed down for generations. I’ve also seen a brand new pearl that was ruined in just a few weeks. The difference is all in how you care for them. A pearl is a very special gem, but it is also very delicate. This article is about the most common mistakes people make with their pearl jewelry. If you own a pearl, or want to own one, reading this will help you protect your beautiful pearl and keep it looking amazing for years to come.

Why Is a Pearl So Special (and Delicate)?

Before we talk about what not to do, I think it’s important to understand what a pearl is. Unlike other gemstones that are mined from the earth, a pearl is organic. This means it comes from a living thing. A pearl is created inside a mollusk, like an oyster. When a tiny irritant, like a grain of sand, gets inside the mollusk, the mollusk protects itself. It starts to secrete a substance called nacre. It covers the irritant with layer after layer of this nacre. Over time, these layers build up to create a beautiful, shining pearl. This nacre is what gives a pearl its unique luster.

Because a pearl is made of these delicate layers of nacre, it is very soft. On the Mohs scale of hardness, which measures how easy it is to scratch a gem, a pearl is only a 2.5. To give you an idea, a diamond is a 10 and your fingernail is about a 2.5. This means your pearl is very easy to scratch. The nacre of the pearl can also be damaged by chemicals and heat. So, a pearl is a timeless gem, but it needs your help to stay beautiful. Every single pearl in your jewelry collection, from a tiny earring pearl to a large South Sea pearl, needs proper care.

Can Your Pearl Jewelry Get Wet in the Shower?

I get this question a lot. The simple answer is no. You should never wear your pearls in the shower. I know it can be a pain to take your jewelry off, but it’s worth it to protect your pearl. When you shower, you use soap, shampoo, and other products. These contain chemicals that are very bad for your pearl. They can strip away the nacre and make your beautiful pearl look dull. Over time, this will damage the surface of the pearl. A lustrous Akoya pearl can lose its shine very quickly with this kind of treatment.

It’s not just about the pearl itself. If you are wearing pearl necklaces, they are often strung on a silk thread. Water from the shower can weaken this silk thread. The knot between each pearl, which is there to protect each pearl from rubbing against its neighbor, will get wet and stretch. This can cause the thread to break, and you could lose your precious pearl. The same goes for a pearl bracelet. It’s best to make taking off your pearl jewelry a habit before you step into the shower. This simple step will help prolong the life of your favorite pearl.

What Happens if You Wear Pearls While Swimming?

Swimming with your pearl jewelry on is an even worse idea than showering with it. Whether you are in a pool or the ocean, the water is very damaging to a pearl. Pool water is filled with chlorine. This is a very strong chemical used to kill germs. I can tell you from experience that chlorine will eat away at the delicate nacre of your pearl. It can cause the surface to look pitted and can even discolor the pearl. A single swim could permanently damage your pearl.

What about the ocean? Saltwater is also not good for your pearl. The salt is abrasive and can scratch the surface. It can also dry out the pearl, which can lead to cracks in the nacre. Plus, the silk thread holding your pearl necklace or pearl bracelet together will weaken and stretch in both chlorine and saltwater. I once had a customer who lost her favorite Tahitian pearl pendant in the ocean because the salt water weakened the cord it was on. To protect your pearls, always take them off before you go for a swim. Your pearl will thank you for it.

Is It a Good Idea to Wear Your Pearl During Your Beauty Routine?

The rule I always tell my clients is that a pearl should be the “last thing on, and the first thing off.” This is so important. Think about your morning routine. You might use lotion, makeup, perfume, and hairspray. All of these products contain chemicals that can harm your pearl. Hairspray and perfume are especially bad. They create a film on the surface of the pearl that is hard to remove and makes the pearl look dull. This film can also eat away at the nacre over time.

So, here’s what you do. Get fully ready first. Put on your makeup, do your hair, and spray your perfume. Let the perfume dry completely. Then, and only then, should you put on your pearl necklaces, pearl earrings, or pearl bracelet. When you get home at the end of the day, your pearl jewelry should be the very first thing you take off, even before you change your clothes. This one habit will do more to protect your pearl than almost anything else. It prevents prolonged exposure of your pearl to damaging chemicals.

How Should You Be Cleaning Your Pearls After Wearing Them?

Cleaning your pearls is simple, but it has to be done the right way. Because a pearl is so delicate, you need to be gentle. After every time you wear your pearl, you should wipe it with a soft cloth. This removes any body oils, perspiration, or residue from cosmetics. I recommend using a clean, soft cloth to gently go over each pearl. This simple step helps maintain the luster of your pearls and keeps them looking their best.

For a deeper cleaning, you can use a damp cloth. Mix a little bit of mild soap with lukewarm water. Dip a soft cloth in the water, wring it out so it’s just damp, and carefully wipe each pearl. Never, ever submerge your pearl necklace in water. This can weaken the silk thread. After wiping the pearl, use another clean, dry cloth to pat it dry. Then, lay the pearl necklace or pearl bracelet flat on a towel to let them air dry completely before putting them away. Making sure they are totally dry before storing is key to preventing damage to the thread. The cleaning your pearls process is vital for every pearl you own.

What’s the Wrong Way to Store Pearls?

How you store your pearls is just as important as how you clean them. I’ve seen people toss their pearl necklaces into a jewelry box with all their other jewelry pieces. This is a recipe for disaster. Remember how soft a pearl is? Other gemstones, and even the metal prongs from a ring, can easily scratch your pearl. A deep scratch on a pearl is almost impossible to fix.

The best way to store your pearls is in a soft cloth bag or a fabric-lined jewelry box with a separate compartment for each pearl piece. This helps prevent any chance of a scratch. Another big mistake is storing them in an airtight container, like a plastic bag. A pearl is an organic gem and needs a little moisture from the air to stay beautiful. If you store a pearl in an airtight place, it can become dry and brittle, which can cause the nacre to crack. So, don’t store your pearl in a safety deposit box for years without taking it out. The air is too dry. Your pearl needs to breathe! Storing them properly will protect your pearl for a long time.

Should You Wear Your Pearl Necklace to Bed?

I know it might seem romantic or elegant to wear your pearls to bed, but please don’t do it. There are a few reasons why this is a bad idea. First, while you sleep, you toss and turn. This creates friction between the pearl and your skin and your sheets. Over time, this constant rubbing can wear down the nacre and make your pearl look dull. It’s like a very slow, gentle sanding process that you want to avoid with your precious pearl.

Second, sleeping in your pearl necklaces puts a lot of stress on the silk thread. The thread can get stretched or twisted. In a worst-case scenario, it could break while you sleep, and you could lose a pearl in your bedding. The same is true for a pearl bracelet or even pearl rings. It’s much safer to take your pearls off before you go to sleep and store them properly. It only takes a moment, and it will greatly prolong the life of your pearl jewelry.

When Is It Time to Restring Your Pearl Necklace?

If you wear your pearl necklace often, the silk thread it is strung on will eventually need to be replaced. This is a normal part of pearl care. The silk can stretch over time, get dirty, and weaken. A sure sign that you need your pearl restrung is if you can see extra space between the knots between the pearls. The knots should be snug against each pearl. If they are not, the thread has stretched. Another sign is if the knots look dark or dirty. This means they have absorbed oils and dirt.

I recommend that you take your pearls to a professional jeweler to have them restrung every two to three years if you wear them a lot. If you only wear your pearl on special occasions, you can wait longer. A jeweler will use a strong silk thread and will place a secure knot between each pearl. This knot is very important. It prevents the pearls from rubbing against each other, and if the necklace ever breaks, you will only lose one pearl instead of having all of them scatter. Getting your pearl restrung is a small investment to protect a much larger one. A good jeweler can make your old pearl strand look like new again.

Can You Wear Your Pearl Jewelry With Other Gemstones?

As part of your jewelry collection, you probably have other beautiful gemstones, like diamonds, sapphires, or rubies. While pearls look great paired with other gems, you have to be very careful. As I mentioned, a pearl is very soft. A diamond is the hardest substance on earth. If a diamond earring or ring rubs against your freshwater pearl or Akoya pearl, it will leave a scratch. It’s not a question of if, but when.

When you wear pearls, be mindful of what other jewelry you have on. For example, if you wear a pearl bracelet, maybe don’t wear a diamond watch right next to it on the same wrist. If you wear a long pearl necklace, try not to wear it with a pendant that has sharp metal edges or hard gemstones. The idea is to prevent anything hard from coming into contact with the delicate surface of your pearl. This simple awareness can save your pearl from a lot of damage and keep each pearl looking flawless.

How Can You Enjoy Your Pearls for a Lifetime?

After all these rules, you might think that a pearl is too much work. But that’s not true at all! The best thing you can do for your pearl is to wear it. Pearls love the natural oils from your skin. Frequent wear actually helps keep their luster. A pearl that is locked away in a box for years can become dull and dry. So, please, enjoy your pearls! Wear your pearl jewelry and let it make you feel beautiful.

The key is to combine frequent wear with good habits. If you follow the simple tips in this article—putting them on last, taking them off first, wiping them down, and storing them properly—your pearl will stay beautiful for your entire life. A well-cared-for pearl, whether it’s an Akoya pearl, a South Sea pearl, or a Tahitian pearl, can be passed down to your children and grandchildren. A pearl is a classic piece of jewelry that never goes out of style, and with a little care, its beauty will last forever. These tips will help you enjoy every single pearl you own, no matter the occasion.