If you’re like most people, you probably enjoy wearing pearls. They are a classic accessory that can add a touch of elegance to any outfit. But did you know that there’s a right and wrong way to take care of them? One thing that many people may not know is that pearls should not be exposed to water, as it can permanently ruin them.
In this article, we will discuss what happens to pearls when they get wet and how you can protect them.
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What Happens To Pearls When They Get Wet
First of all, realize that “moist” does not mean the same thing as “wet”. Pearls can eventually become dry and brittle if they do not have sufficient humidity, whereas being wet, as in saturated with water, is likely going to ruin them.
Pearls are best kept in a bathroom because that is the most humid room in a house. But this does not mean to hang them in the shower where they will actually get WET.
Here are some of the things that can happen when pearls get wet:
They Can Explode
While that may sound a bit dramatic, by explode we simply mean crack, break and fall apart rather than blow up in your face.
Because most pearls are drilled in order to string them for necklaces, or are glued in place to set on a peg, there are holes in them. These holes will allow water to enter the center of the pearl and that will cause it to swell if enough water gets into the holes.
The swelling will cause the pearls to break from the inside out.
Because pearls do come from a creature who lives in water, there is a misunderstanding about the damage that water can do once a pearls has a hole drilled into it. Keep in mind that the pearls that are not drilled are safe in water as long as there are no chemicals.
Wetness Weakens The Silk Thread
Typically, strung pearls, whether in a necklace or in a bracelet are strung by using silk thread.Silk is not strong and because it is organic, it is prone to breaking down when wet.
Water Will Make Pearls Dull
Unless they have gotten damp by rain water, most water is full of chemicals.If the pearls survive a good dousing of water without cracking, then they will usually have chemicals to contend with that will erode the surface luster.
You may be able to restore the luster if you wipe off the pearl before chemicals have had a chance to set in to the porous surface…but then follow that by wiping them off with a little oil and then wiping the oil off.
The Glue Will Break Down
If you have a pearl ring or necklace that has been set with pegs, then that means the pearl was drilled and then glued onto the peg to hold it in place. Water will cause the glue to become loose over time and you will not only lose the pearl, but it will likely be cracked also.
The glue does protect the drilled hole from getting water inside the pearl, but once that glue is loosened by water, all bets are off.
How To Protect Your Pearls From Moisture
Now that you know all the ways water can damage your pearls, you are probably wondering how to protect them. The best way to protect pearls is to keep them away from moisture.
Here are a few tips:
Do Not Wear Pearls In The Shower/Pool
Before you step into the shower/pool, take them off and just lay them on the counter top for a nice humid sauna.Pearls like humidity, they just cannot tolerate getting water into the drilled holes.
Please note that this rule applies to swimming in the ocean or a lake as well. We did not think it would be necessary to enumerate every activity that causes wetness, but we apparently need to mention it.
Wear Large Gloves When Cleaning
Get into the habit of wearing a pair of gloves that go halfway up to your elbow whenever you are cleaning or using chemicals.This way, should you forget to remove your pearls, they will still have protection until you regain your presence of mind and remove them.This goes for other gemstones also, because why would you want to subject any of your jewelry to soaps and chemicals?
Avoid Jewelry Cleaner/Chemicals
It may seem like a good idea to use a little jewelry cleaner on your pearls, but it is not.It will damage the surface of the pearl as well as loosen any glue that is holding them in place.
The only thing pearls need is warm water on a slightly damp cloth to clean them. Jewelry cleaners are great for diamonds, sapphires and gold, but pearls and other gemstones should not have any chemicals that can get into the porous surfaces.
FAQ’s About Getting Pearls Wet
Can you wear pearl earrings in the rain?
You can get away with wearing pearls earrings in the rain provided that it is not a heavy downpour that causes dripping water to run down them. If you have an umbrella or a scarf, then you will be protecting them from getting really wet. The humidity of the rainy day will do the pearls good otherwise.
Can I wear my pearl necklace in the shower/bathtub?
It is never a good idea to wear pearls in a shower, tub or hot tub. They have holes that were drilled into them to string or to set onto a peg. The holes will allow water to be absorbed into the center of the pearl and will cause it to crack in half or peel. There is no way to guarantee against water from getting on the pearls during these activities.
Can I swim with a pearl necklace?
Swimming is a guarantee to get your pearls wet, just like showering or getting into a hot tub is.Water is going to cause your pearls to crack and break apart.Humidity however, is not the same as dousing or drenching them with water as long as the humidity is not enough to cause dripping.
Can I wear pearls to the beach?
You can wear pearls to the beach provided you don’t swim in them, don’t allow sand to rub against them to dull the luster surface, and don’t get suntan lotions all over them. As you can see, you are likely going to do some of these things when going to the beach…so use your good judgment about wearing them at all.
Final Thoughts
When you commit to buying jewelry, you also should commit to taking good care of it. Pearls can last centuries if properly taken care of, which means that you can pass them down to your heirs.
Taking care of them means to make certain that they are not subjected to getting wet or getting doused in household chemicals or perfumes.This should be done for all gemstones that are of more delicate nature besides pearls such as opals, emeralds, and a host of other softer stones.
Sometimes people can get tired of wearing the jewelry that they have and will begin to take less care of it. If you find yourself getting tired of the same-o same-o, then simply pack it away for a while rather than subjecting it to negligent abuse.
Sooner or later you will be happy that you did that rather than ruined them.