How to care for your pearls
so they last generations.
Pearls are organic gems — alive in a way diamonds and sapphires are not. Treat them right and they'll outlive you. This is everything you need to know.
Pearls are the only gemstone created by a living creature — and like anything alive, they respond to how you treat them. A well-cared-for pearl necklace keeps its lustre for fifty years. A neglected one can dull in five.
The good news: pearl care isn't complicated. It's a few small habits that, repeated over years, make all the difference. This guide covers everything from daily wear to deep cleaning, with special attention to India's humidity, monsoon, and everyday realities like perfume, sindoor, and sweat.
"Last on, first off"
If you remember nothing else from this guide, remember this one rule. It prevents 90% of pearl damage.
How to clean pearls — the right way
There are two cleaning routines: the quick daily wipe, and the occasional deep clean. Both are simple. Neither involves chemicals.
The wipe-down
After every wear, wipe each pearl with a clean, soft cotton cloth. This removes body oils, sweat, and perfume traces before they can absorb into the nacre. Takes 30 seconds. Do it religiously and your pearls will stay bright for decades.
The damp clean
Dampen a soft cloth with plain water (no soap, no detergent). Wipe each pearl gently. If pearls are heavily worn, mix one drop of mild baby shampoo in a small bowl of lukewarm water, dip the cloth, squeeze dry, wipe the pearls, then wipe again with a plain water cloth, then dry with a third cloth.
Professional inspection
Bring your pearls to a trusted jeweller (free at Gautham Jewellers for our customers) once a year. We check for loose knots, stretched silk, clasp wear, and surface damage — and re-string or polish if needed. This one habit prevents the single most common pearl disaster: a broken strand scattered on the floor.
What NOT to use
Never use ultrasonic cleaners, steam cleaners, commercial jewellery dips, vinegar, lemon juice, toothpaste, ammonia, bleach, or alcohol. Any of these will strip the nacre and permanently damage the pearl. If someone at a jeweller offers to "deep clean" your pearls in a machine, say no.
How to store pearls between wears
How you store pearls affects their lifespan as much as how you clean them.
Keep them separate
Scratching is the silent killer
Pearls are soft (2.5–4.5 on Mohs scale). Diamonds, gold settings, and even other pearls can scratch the nacre if stored together. Always keep pearls in their own soft pouch or separate compartment in your jewellery box. Ivory-velvet pouches (like the ones we include with every purchase) are ideal.
Lay them flat
Hanging stretches the silk thread
Store necklaces and malas lying flat, not hanging. Over time, gravity stretches the silk thread between pearls, and a stretched strand will eventually break. Roll or lay flat in a drawer or tray. Same applies to long earrings — store in a flat tray rather than hanging from hooks.
Let them breathe
Airtight bags are the enemy
Never store pearls in plastic bags, ziplock pouches, or airtight containers. Pearls need moisture to maintain their lustre — trapped, dry air causes the nacre to crack over years. Cotton pouches, silk roll-ups, or a lined wooden box with vents are perfect. Add a small bowl of water nearby if you live in an air-conditioned space year-round.
Avoid the safe
Counter-intuitive but true
A home safe or bank locker is fine for short periods but not ideal for long storage. Safes are usually dry and sealed, and pearls kept locked away for years (as bridal heirlooms sometimes are) can dull from moisture loss. If you must keep pearls in a safe, include a damp cotton pad and refresh every 6 months.
Caring for pearls in Indian conditions
Humidity, heat, monsoon, perfume, sindoor — India throws unique challenges at pearl jewellery. Here's what matters.
Summer & Heat
- Sweat is acidic and damages pearls over time
- Wipe down same day after wearing
- Avoid direct sun for prolonged periods
- Don't wear to gym or outdoor sports
Monsoon
- Rainwater is slightly acidic — dry immediately
- High humidity is actually good for pearls
- Check clasp for corrosion after getting wet
- Never wear in a heavy downpour
Perfume & Attar
- Alcohol-based perfumes are the worst
- Apply perfume first, wait 5 minutes, then wear pearls
- Attar and essential oils are safer but still avoid direct contact
- Hairspray is particularly damaging
Puja & Sindoor
- Haldi and sindoor stain pearls — wear a scarf/cover
- Kumkum oils absorb into nacre
- For weddings, ask about protective polish beforehand
- After rituals, wipe down within hours
When to re-string a pearl necklace
Every pearl necklace will need re-stringing in its lifetime. Knowing when prevents the strand breaking while you're wearing it.
A well-strung pearl necklace uses silk thread knotted between each pearl — this prevents pearls from rubbing against each other and keeps all pearls on the thread even if it breaks somewhere. Silk naturally stretches and weakens from body oils, sweat, and wear.
Signs your pearls need re-stringing:
Pearl care do's and don'ts
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DO
- Wear them often — pearls benefit from body oils
- Wipe down after every wear
- Store separately in a soft pouch
- Put them on last (after makeup, perfume)
- Inspect the clasp before every wear
- Re-string every 2–3 years of regular wear
- Keep storage area slightly humid
- Get them professionally inspected annually
DON'T
- Spray perfume or hairspray while wearing them
- Shower, swim, or bathe with pearls on
- Use ultrasonic or steam cleaners
- Clean with toothpaste, vinegar, or chemicals
- Store in plastic or airtight bags
- Hang necklaces long-term — lay flat
- Wear to the gym, yoga, or physical workouts
- Expose to direct sunlight for hours
Free lifetime re-stringing for all our customers.
Bought from us? Your pearls deserve the same care we put into making them. Free re-stringing, free cleaning, free inspection — forever. Bring them in, or message us on WhatsApp.
