Pearl jewellery is one of the most versatile items in a collection. Its classic beauty, radiant aura and enticing lustre. Therefore, treating a pearl with care is vital to ensure its integrity remains and its allure doesn't fade or discolour. The objective is for a pearl to be inherited, an exquisite keepsake to be admired, appreciated and loved by those destined to cherish it.

How to clean your pearl 

Pearls are porous, natural jewels, so they require more careful handling than a diamond. When cleaning a pearl, it is crucial to adopt the method of less is more;

1. Gently wipe cultured pearls with a slightly damp cloth using lukewarm water either after wear or periodically. No added chemical or detergent is required.
2. Allow the pearls to air dry completely on a soft towel. By doing this, it preserves the elasticity of the silk thread.
3. Store them flat in a soft pouch or jewellery box. You could also place the pearls in a soft cloth or a piece of linen.
4. Ensure that the pearls cannot rub together or against another piece of jewellery and that they are not in an airtight plastic package; this could cause the pearl to crack.

How to care for pearl strands

Nina's cultured pearls are strung on pure silk. Over time, the silk will stretch, weaken and become soiled. If you wear your pearls regularly, we encourage you to have them cleaned and restrung annually.

What to avoid when caring for pearls

To ensure your pearls last a lifetime, a few key things to avoid that cause the pearl to be damaged or even lose its colour are:

• Cultured pearls should be free of perfumes, cosmetics, perspiration and dirt. A pearl could react badly to any chemicals, resulting in a loss of colour.

• Remove your pearl jewellery before bathing, swimming and doing the dishes. Under no circumstance should you submerge your pearls in the water! The chlorine in the water will eat away at the epoxy securing the pearls to their mountings, weakening the silk thread and potentially causing it to break. 

• Avoid jewellery cleaners unless it specifies that the product can be used on pearls.

We invite you to bring your jewellery to the Nina's Dunsborough showroom, as we offer a complimentary cleaning service. You can browse our gorgeous range of exclusive South Sea pearl pieces and leave your jewellery looking as sparkly as the day you got it.

If you would like to nourish your knowledge, head to Nina's pearl guide or if you are looking to browse online, explore Nina's pearl collection.

For more information on caring for your fine jewellery, visit Nina's Caring for Jewellery & Cleaning Diamond Rings blog.