tips | caring for pearls
Divine Tears
Pearls have teased human imagination for time immemorial.
Our forebears believed that they are the tears of gods, that they are found at the site where a rainbow strikes the ocean, and even that — when dissolved in food or drink — they will safeguard against poison. Their luminous glow, myriad shapes and gentle iridescence make them a timeless accessory to style and beauty.
CARING FOR PEARLS
However, pearls require care. Avoid exposing them to abrasives, detergents, or harsh chemicals. Jewellery care practices that work for other gemstones or materials seldom apply to pearls.
Pearls should be the last thing you put on before going out and the first thing you remove when you get home. Put them on after you’ve completed any hair, skincare, and makeup routines.
Store pearl jewellery wrapped in soft cloth — all pearls bought via ingridvalou.com ship in a fabric pouch of cotton or microsuede so that you may use that.
Wipe with a soft, damp cloth to clean. Do not use any polish cloths — even if your pearls shipped with one, that cloth is for the chain or other metal components of your jewellery! Polish cloths are treated with tiny abrasives that will degrade your pearls!
Did you drop something sticky on them? Soak them for a few minutes in a mild solution of water and gentle soap, then pat them dry with a soft, lintless cloth. A soapy water solution of Castille soap or shavings off a bar of Dove hard soap should be gentle enough.
Some say pearls like to be worn, and some say the natural oils from your skin contribute to their innate lustre. All I know is that if it’s true, it applies to the natural oils of your clean skin — over time, pearls can look a little dingy if they get caked in makeup, etc.
Big no-nos for pearls
Never use any scouring, abrasive pad or brush to clean your pearls. Gentle or otherwise, this will badly damage the pearl and ruin its lustre
Avoid using anything other than water and light, non-detergent soap – that includes bleach of any kind, baking soda, etc.
If you see a scratch or a spot, do not try and scrape it off. Some pearls will have faint or natural blemishes. That’s just the way they look! Love them
Never use an ultrasonic or steam cleaner on pearl jewellery.
Lastly, do not consign your pearls to the ignominy of a safety deposit box. Putting them in any dehydrated environment will kill their lustre and character. Incidentally, this also applies to opals.