Few days ago I was just surfing internet when I came across this great pearl website http://www.shecypearljewelry.com. This is one of many informative articles on that site. When you buy pearl jewelry, you’re buying an heirloom that will, hopefully, last for generations. In order to ensure your fine pearl jewelry stays beautiful, it’s important to take care of it the right way. Here are some tips for preserving the beauty of your pearls.

1) Do not use toothpaste to wash pearls. Toothpaste contains tiny abrasive fragments that can damage your pearls and lessen their surface quality. The best way to wash your pearls is to use water or a soap specially formulated to be gentle, such as baby shampoo.

2) Avoid frequent touching. Our bodies, especially our fingers and hands, naturally produce oils and sweat that can coat the pearls if you touch them too often, masking their luster and glow.

3) Don’t wear them constantly. Take off your pearls when performing any strenuous tasks that will make you sweat. Don’t wear them while swimming or taking a shower.

4) Don’t put them in the washing machine. Yes, we’ve heard of people doing this. Pearls can’t stand shaking—so don’t let them go through the wash.

5) Avoid contact with acidic and alkaline substances. Pearls most often come into contact with these types of substances when you use perfume or hair spray. These contain chemicals that can dull the luster of your pearls. Remove your pearls before applying makeup, perfume or hairspray. Put them back on when you’re finished.

6) Put on your pearls after you dress. Your pearl jewelry could catch on clothing, and pearls can be damaged by stiff materials in clothes.

6) Bring a pearl bag. Much of the time, we don’t take off our pearl jewelry when we should—just because there’s nowhere safe to put it. Keep a small cloth bag for your pearls in your purse. That way, if you need to take off a pearl ring to wash your hands or remove your earrings to go swimming, you’ll have a safe place to keep your pearls.

7) Perform regular maintenance. Check your pearls regularly to make sure none have come loose. Clean them using a soft cloth and mild soap. If you wear a pearl necklace often, we recommend having it restrung once a year. A knot should be tied between each pearl in the strand, to keep scratches and abrasions from the pearls rubbing against each other to a minimum.