The key to caring for your pearls is to protect the nacre. 

Pearls are formed by oysters or mussels on farms found mostly in Japan, China and the South Seas. They are composed of concentric layers of a crystalline substance called nacre. It is this nacre that gives the pearl its lustrous iridescence and accounts for much of the pearl's beauty.

• Put on pearls after applying cosmetics, hair spray and perfume

• Place pearls in a soft bag or wrap them in a soft cloth before putting them away in a jewelry box or drawer. They are easily scratched by hard metal edges or harder stones.

• Avoid wearing other necklaces with strands of pearls. Chains or other necklaces could easily scratch the pearls on contact.

• It's best to take off your pearls when doing any king of rough work or sports.

• Take off your pearl rings and bracelets when doing dishes, laundry or housework as detergents and other chemicals damage the nacre and loosen pearls in their settings.

• Bring your pearls back for restringing once a year. Cosmetics and ordinary wear weaken and stretch the silk threads which the pearls are strung on.

• Have strands restrung with a knot between each pearl. This will prevent the loss of pearls if the silk should break and prevents the pearls from wearing against each other.

• Never clean pearls with chemicals, abrasives or most jewelry cleaners.

• Wash pearls with a good cleaner made especially for pearls after removing your pearls.  Immerse pearls in cleaner and agitate slightly, then rinse with water and dry with a soft cloth. Allow to dry before putting them away.