...and please see: http://leannefdesigns.etsy.com for original pearl jewelry...                                        

Jewelry Tips and Care

Necklaces and Necklines

Earrings and Face Shape

Caring for Pearls

Caring for Sterling Silver

Original pearl jewelery: http://leannefdesigns.etsy.com

If you would like to be contacted by email when new jewelry or other information is added to this site (no more than four times a year), please send an email to leanne@beadlam.us, asking to be put on the mailing list.

 

Caring for Freshwater Pearls

 

I love working with freshwater pearls. Their organic nature, colors, shapes and sizes - it makes designing and hand-crafting jewelry a joy. I'm making more and more pieces with pearls, hand-knotted on silk or combined with other materials. You can see my pearl jewelry at: http://leannefdesigns.etsy.com.

 

It's not difficult to maintain the beauty of pearls, but it is important to remember that they are an organic material, unlike stones and gems. Like you, they can be affected by pollution and injury. Consider some of the following in caring for your pearls:

 

v Don't expose your pearls to chlorinated water, household detergents, or acidic chemicals.

v Apply any cosmetics, perfumes or sprays before putting on your pearls to minimize their exposure.

v If your pearls com in contact with any acids, including spilled food or drinks, clean them immediately with a soft cloth and water.

v After wearing your pears, it's a good idea to wipe them with a soft cloth; again, to minimize their contact with harmful elements. The oils in your skin are actually fine for the pearls - it maintains their luster and keeps them from drying out. However, the acids in your skin can be very harmful. A quick wipe is all you need after wearing.

v Pearls are much softer than stones and gems and can easily be scratched. Consider storing your pearls separately in a soft bag or pouch.

v Store your pearls away from radiators, sunlight or other areas which become very hot.

v And consider restringing your pearls regularly. Water, which is fine for pearls, will begin to disintegrate the silk on which most pearls are strung. And cosmetics, powders, pollution and grime will eventually attach to the silk, attaching both the silk and the pearls.