Over time, pearl jewelry can start to look dull and lose its luster. Pearls are porous and can absorb dirt, oils and other substances over the years. This causes them to look yellowed or gray instead of bright white. Many people wonder if it’s possible to get their pearls looking new again. The good news is that with the right cleaning methods, you can restore pearls to their original beautiful white color.
What Causes Pearls to Lose Their Luster?
There are a few main culprits that contribute to pearls dulling over time:
- Oils from skin – The natural oils on human skin get transferred to pearls when worn. This builds up over time.
- Lotions and perfume – Lotions, perfumes, hairsprays and other cosmetics can also cling to pearls and cause a film to build up.
- Dust and dirt – Exposure to normal household dust and dirt also contributes to their lackluster appearance.
- Improper storage – Storing pearls improperly allows them to collect dust and causes damage. Ideal storage is in soft cloth bags.
- Chemicals – Exposure to chemicals like chlorine, salts, and acids can erode the outer coating of pearls.
- Sunlight – UV rays from the sun cause fading and yellowing.
All of these factors slowly eat away at the natural luster of pearls. But with the right cleaning methods, you can restore them back to their original appearance.
Can You Use Jewelry Cleaner?
Standard jewelry cleaners and ultrasonic cleaners are too harsh for delicate pearls. The chemicals and high-frequency vibrations can erode pearls and cause irreversible damage. So steer clear of these types of cleaners when caring for your pearls.
Safe Homemade Pearl Cleaning Solutions
Luckily, there are safe, gentle homemade solutions you can use to clean pearls properly. Here are some easy recipes:
- Mild soap and water – Mix a couple drops of mild hand or dish soap into lukewarm water. Use a soft cloth to gently wipe down each pearl. Rinse thoroughly.
- Vinegar and water – Mix 1 part white vinegar with 2 parts warm water. Soak pearls for 2-3 minutes, gently wipe clean and rinse.
- Ammonia and water – Mix 1 tbsp clear household ammonia into 1 cup warm water. Soak for 1-2 minutes only, wipe clean and rinse well.
- Baking soda – Make a paste with baking soda and water. Gently rub onto pearls with soft cloth or toothbrush. Rinse thoroughly.
Be very gentle when cleaning pearls with any solution. Wiping too vigorously can damage their soft nacre coating.
Storing Pearls Properly
Once you’ve cleaned your pearls, proper ongoing storage is key to maintaining their luminescence. Here are some tips:
- Keep them in a soft cloth bag or wrap them in a soft cloth – This protects from scratches and dust buildup.
- Avoid hanging pearls – Gravity can slowly stretch and deform the soft pearls over time.
- Store pearls away from other jewelry – Pearls are softer than other gems so storing together may cause scratches or nicks.
- Keep them away from lotions, perfumes, hairspray – Don’t store pearls in your bedroom or bathroom where they’ll be exposed to these harsh chemicals.
- Control temperature and humidity – Store pearls in moderate temperature and humidity. Too much moisture or dryness can damage pearls.
Following these storage practices will help keep your pearls protected and slow the aging process.
How Often Should You Clean Pearls?
Most pearls experts recommend thorough cleanings 2-4 times per year. But you may need to clean them more or less often depending on how frequently they are worn and exposed to dirt and skin oils.
As a general rule:
- Daily wear – Clean every 2-3 months
- Frequent wear – Clean every 4-6 months
- Occasional wear – Clean once or twice a year
- Special occasions only – Clean before wearing
Be attentive to whether your pearls are starting to look dull, dingy or yellowed. That’s your signal it’s time to give them a refresh cleaning to restore their white luster.
Can You Bleach Pearls?
Bleach is too harsh and can damage pearls. The nacre coating of pearls is sensitive to chemicals. Bleach can eat away at layers of nacre, cause pitting and erosion, and strip color.
So avoid using bleach when cleaning pearls. Stick to gentle cleaning solutions like mild soap and water.
Can Sunlight Whiten Pearls?
It’s a myth that setting pearls in sunlight will help whiten or brighten them. In fact, sunlight causes the opposite effect – fading and yellowing. Pearls are very sensitive to light. The UV radiation from sunlight breaks down the organic compounds in pearls, causing their color to change and degrade over time. Intense sunlight can even cause heat cracks on the surface.
So keep your pearls away from direct sunlight or UV light boxes to maintain their pristine color. Don’t attempt sun-bleaching techniques.
Do Pearls Eventually Lose Their Luster Permanently?
With proper care and cleaning, pearls can maintain their beautiful luster for many years. But nothing lasts forever. Pearls do have a natural aging process that very gradually causes their luster to dim permanently.
Here’s an overview of pearl aging:
- 1-10 years old – Look pristine with bright luster
- 10-20 years old – Can look slightly mellowed but still very lustrous with proper care
- 20-50 years old – Luster starts diminishing more noticeably
- 50+ years old – Pearls can start to permanently lose most of their luster and iridescence
This lifespan can vary based on the type and quality of pearls. But in general, the natural aging process will eventually cause pearls to lose their luminescence after decades of wear.
Should You Re-Polish Pearls?
If your pearls are only slightly dull, homemade cleaning solutions may restore their luster. But if the pearls have aged significantly and lost most of their sheen, re-polishing may be needed.
Professional pearl polishing gently buffs the surface layer of nacre to reveal the fresh iridescent layer underneath. It should only be done periodically as it permanently erodes a thin top layer.
Here are the pros and cons of pearl re-polishing:
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Can restore extremely dull pearls to a bright white luster | Thins the nacre so pearls become increasingly fragile and prone to damage |
| Quickly returns aged pearls to a like-new appearance | Repeated polishing can wear down pearls until they eventually disappear |
| More economical than re-stringing or replacing extremely aged strands | Overpolishing leads to loss of surface details and a rounded, generic appearance |
Weigh these pros and cons carefully when deciding if re-polishing is the right option for your pearls.
Home Remedies to Avoid
When researching how to clean and brighten pearls, you may come across some risky home remedies. Avoid the following:
- Toothpaste – While toothpaste may make other gems shine, the abrasives can scratch and erode pearls. Use only soft, damp cloths.
- Jewelry dip cleaner – The harsh chemicals in standard dips can damage pearls. Use only mild homemade solutions.
- Baking the pearls – Heating pearls in the oven can damage and crack them. Never bake or boil pearls.
- Hydrogen peroxide – This bleaching agent is too harsh for delicate pearls.
- Turmeric – Although turmeric can brighten yellowed ivory and linens, it will dye pearls an undesirable yellow color.
Always research remedies thoroughly or ask jewelry experts before applying them to pearls. Harsh chemicals and abrasives should be avoided.
When to Seek Professional Help
For thorough periodic cleaning, you can safely use the homemade solutions suggested above. But some pearl issues are best handled by jewelry professionals:
- Severely aged or damaged pearls that require re-polishing
- Pearls that need re-knotting or re-stringing due to worn silk or broken strands
- Valuable pearls requiring appraisal and verification
- Expert inspection if you suspect damage or need guidance
Reputable jewelers have the skills, tools and equipment to service pearls in ways that homeowners can’t. For anything beyond a routine periodic cleaning, it’s best to seek professional help.
Conclusion
With some gentle cleaning tricks, you can keep your pearls looking lustrous and vibrant for many years. Always use care when handling these delicate gems and avoid harsh chemicals or abrasives. Proper ongoing storage is also key to slowing the aging process and maintaining their beauty. By caring for your pearls correctly, you can enjoy them for a lifetime and even pass them down to future generations. If pearls become severely dulled or damaged, professional re-polishing or other services may be required. But with the right maintenance and cleaning, your pearls will stay luminous and lovely for decades to come.