How to Care for Pearl Jewelry: Cleaning, Storage & Freshwater Pearl Care Guide

Pearls can remain beautiful for many years, but they need to be treated differently from diamonds and many metal-only pieces of jewelry.

If your pearls begin to look less lustrous over time, develop surface marks or simply do not look as bright as when they were new, this does not automatically mean there is a problem with their quality.

Pearls are relatively soft organic gem materials. Their surfaces can be affected by friction, perspiration, perfume, cosmetics, cleaning products and excessive heat.

A simple pearl-care rule is therefore:

Put pearls on last and take them off first. Wipe them gently after wear, and protect them from harsh chemicals, excessive heat, abrasion and prolonged water exposure.

GIA gives pearl a Mohs hardness of approximately 2.5, meaning its surface can be scratched or abraded relatively easily compared with many other jewelry materials.

Why Do Pearls Need Special Care?

Pearls are different from mineral gems such as diamonds and sapphires.

They are formed by mollusks and contain calcium carbonate together with organic material and a small amount of water. In nacreous pearls, microscopic layers interact with light to create the soft lustre and iridescence associated with pearl jewelry.

This beautiful surface is also relatively delicate.

According to GIA, high heat can discolor or damage cultured pearls, while acids and substances such as perfume, cosmetics, hairspray and even perspiration can affect their surface.

Pearl care is therefore less about aggressive cleaning and more about protecting the pearl's surface.

What Kind of Pearls Does MONI Use?

Our pearl jewelry uses freshwater pearls, combined with different jewelry materials depending on the design.

Selected pieces combine freshwater pearls with 925 sterling silver, 18K Gold Vermeil and MONI Diamond Simulants.

For example, some of our pearl rings list their material as 18K Gold Vermeil with Freshwater Pearl and MONI Diamond Simulants.

This means that when caring for MONI pearl jewelry, you should consider not only the pearl itself but also the metal, surface finish and other elements in the complete piece.

Always check the latest material information on the individual product page.

When Should You Put On Pearl Jewelry?

One of the simplest pearl-care principles is:

Last on, first off.

Apply perfume, skincare, sunscreen, cosmetics and hair products first. Once they have dried, put on your pearl jewelry.

Before showering, removing makeup or changing clothes, take your pearls off first.

This helps reduce unnecessary contact with chemicals and friction. Pearl-care guidance from both GIA and MIKIMOTO recommends limiting exposure to perfume, cosmetics, hairspray and perspiration.

Can You Wear Pearls Every Day?

Yes, but regular wear should be followed by simple regular care.

Pearls are not jewelry that must remain permanently stored away. The important point is that frequent wear means more contact with skin oils, perspiration, cosmetics and environmental residue.

After wearing your pearls, gently wipe the surface with a very soft, clean cloth before putting them away.

There is no need to use cleaning solution every day.

GIA likewise recommends wiping cultured pearls with a very soft, clean cloth after each wearing.

Can Pearls Get Wet?

This is one of the most common questions about pearl care.

Occasional contact with a small amount of clean water is different from prolonged soaking.

GIA states that warm, soapy water can be safe for occasional thorough cleaning when appropriate. If pearls are strung, however, the string should be allowed to dry completely before the jewelry is worn again.

For everyday use, we still recommend removing pearl jewelry before showering, swimming or using a hot tub.

The issue is not simply water itself. Pool chlorine, seawater, shampoo, shower products and other chemicals can come into contact with the pearl, metal, plating and stringing materials.

Even if an individual MONI product is described as Water Resistant, that should not be interpreted as a recommendation to soak the pearl component for long periods.

Can You Shower or Swim With Pearls?

We do not recommend it.

Showering exposes jewelry to shampoo, conditioner and body products, while swimming may expose it to chlorine or salt water.

These are not ideal environments for prolonged pearl contact.

A useful rule is:

Do not panic over an occasional splash of clean water, but remove pearl jewelry before showering, swimming or visiting a hot spring.

How Should You Clean Pearls After Wearing Them?

Pearls usually do not need a deep clean after every wear.

For routine care, gently wipe the pearl surface using a very soft, clean cloth to remove perspiration, skin oils and cosmetic residue.

If there is visible residue, a slightly damp soft cloth can be used before allowing the jewelry to dry naturally and completely.

Tiffany's pearl-care guidance similarly recommends gently wiping cultured pearls with a slightly damp cloth between professional cleanings.

What If Pearls Need a Deeper Clean?

For ordinary perspiration and surface residue, strong jewelry cleaners are usually unnecessary.

GIA states that pearls can occasionally be cleaned with warm, mild soapy water when the jewelry is suitable for this method.

However, pearl jewelry may also contain sterling silver, Gold Vermeil, simulated stones, adhesives or stringing materials.

If you are unsure whether the complete piece should be exposed to soapy water, using a slightly damp soft cloth or requesting professional cleaning is the safer option.

Can Pearls Go in an Ultrasonic Jewelry Cleaner?

No.

GIA specifically advises that pearls should never be cleaned in an ultrasonic or steam cleaner.

An ultrasonic machine is not automatically suitable simply because it is designed for jewelry.

Different gem materials respond differently to vibration, heat and chemicals, and pearls require a much gentler approach.

Can You Clean Pearls With Toothpaste, Baking Soda, Vinegar or Lemon?

We do not recommend these methods.

Pearls have a relatively soft surface, so abrasive materials such as toothpaste and powdered household cleaners may cause scratches.

Vinegar and lemon are acidic, which is another reason they are unsuitable. GIA notes that pearls can be damaged by acids.

For pearl care:

“Natural cleaner” does not necessarily mean “safe cleaner.”

Gentler is usually better.

Can You Use Alcohol, Bleach or Nail Polish Remover on Pearls?

No aggressive household chemical should be treated as a general pearl cleaner.

Bleach, solvents, strong acids, strong alkaline cleaners and similar products may affect the pearl surface or other parts of the jewelry.

If a mark cannot be removed through gentle wiping, professional inspection is preferable to experimenting with increasingly strong household products.

Can You Use a Hair Dryer to Dry Pearls?

Avoid using high heat to speed up drying.

GIA notes that high heat can cause cultured pearls to discolor, split or crack.

After cleaning, gently absorb excess moisture using a soft cloth and allow the jewelry to dry naturally in a safe location.

For a strung pearl necklace or bracelet, make sure the string is completely dry before wearing it. Wet silk string can stretch and attract dirt.

How Should You Store Pearl Jewelry?

Because pearls scratch relatively easily, one of the most important storage rules is:

Do not allow pearls to rub continuously against harder jewelry.

Store pearl pieces separately in a soft jewelry pouch or a lined jewelry box rather than mixing them with rings, clasps, diamonds or other harder materials.

MIKIMOTO likewise recommends storing pearl jewelry separately to reduce scratching and tangling.

Strung pearl necklaces and bracelets are also best stored flat or gently laid out rather than left hanging under tension for long periods.

Can Pearls Stay in a Sealed Safe for Years?

Pearls should not be stored for long periods in excessively hot or very dry environments.

GIA notes that aging and dehydration can make some pearls more fragile, while MIKIMOTO advises against leaving pearl jewelry in a very dry security box for prolonged periods because dehydration can occur.

This does not mean pearls need human perspiration to “stay moisturized.”

A more accurate rule is:

Avoid excessive heat, extreme dryness and unsuitable long-term storage conditions, while wearing and caring for your pearls normally.

Do Pearl Necklaces Need to Be Restrung?

If a pearl necklace is strung on silk or another thread, care should extend to the string as well as the pearls.

Over time, string can become soiled, stretched or worn.

GIA recommends periodically checking the condition of pearl necklace stringing, and frequently worn strands may eventually need professional restringing.

If gaps between the pearls become noticeably larger or the thread begins to look worn or loose, it is a good time to have the piece inspected.

Pearl Jewelry FAQs

Do pearls turn yellow?

The appearance of pearls can change over time. Excessive heat, dehydration, chemical exposure, surface residue and some pearl treatments can all affect appearance. Appropriate cleaning, storage and wear can help reduce unnecessary change.

Can dull pearls become shiny again?

If dullness is caused mainly by skin oil, perspiration or cosmetic residue, gentle cleaning may improve the appearance. If the nacre itself has been abraded or chemically damaged, however, simple cleaning cannot restore the original surface.

Can I wear pearls every day?

Yes. When pearls are worn frequently, gently wipe them with a soft, clean cloth after wearing to remove residue.

Can pearls get wet?

An occasional splash of clean water is different from prolonged soaking. We do not recommend wearing pearls while showering, swimming or visiting a hot spring, and strung pearls should always be allowed to dry completely after cleaning.

Can I clean pearls with dish soap?

GIA states that mild soapy water can be used for occasional thorough cleaning when the jewelry is suitable. If the piece also includes plating, adhesives, special gemstones or stringing, check the care requirements for the complete piece first.

Can pearls be cleaned ultrasonically?

No. Pearls should not be placed in ultrasonic or steam cleaners.

Should pearls be stored in an airtight bag?

The main priorities are preventing scratches, excessive heat and overly dry conditions. A soft individual pouch or lined jewelry box is generally a more useful way to think about pearl storage than focusing only on whether the container is airtight.

Why should pearls be put on last and taken off first?

Doing so reduces contact with perfume, cosmetics, hair products and other chemicals, while also reducing friction and pulling when changing clothes.

When It Comes to Pearl Care, Gentler Is Usually Better

Pearls are beautiful, but they do not need complicated cleaning routines.

What matters is understanding that their surface is relatively soft and can be affected by excessive heat, acids, harsh chemicals and abrasion.

Our practical approach is simple:

Put pearl jewelry on after cosmetics and perfume, wipe it gently after wear, avoid ultrasonic and steam cleaning, and store it separately from harder jewelry.

The same principle applies to MONI pearl jewelry. Because different designs may combine freshwater pearls with sterling silver, 18K Gold Vermeil and other elements, always care for the complete piece rather than considering the pearl alone.

If you are looking for pearl jewelry, explore our Sterling Silver Pearl Collection and check each individual product page for the latest material and care information.

References: Gemological Institute of America (GIA); MIKIMOTO

This article provides general pearl and jewelry care information. Individual designs may combine pearls with metals, plating, gemstones, stringing or other components, so always follow the latest care instructions for the complete product.