--- title: "How Do You Care for Pearls?" description: "How to care for pearls: what damages them, how to wear, clean and store them, and when a strand needs restringing, following GIA and CIBJO advice." canonical_url: "https://learnaboutpearls.com/care/" last_updated: "2026-11-04" last_reviewed: "2026-10-26" reviewed_by: "Simon" publisher: "Unique Pearl" publisher_disclosure: "Learn About Pearls is published by Unique Pearl, a pearl jeweler." --- # How Do You Care for Pearls? **Short answer:** Natural and cultured pearls are soft and sensitive to chemicals, so they need gentle care. Put them on after perfume, cosmetics and hair spray, wipe them with a soft cloth dampened in clean water after wearing, and store each piece separately so nothing scratches them. Keep them away from acids, solvents and heat, never use an ultrasonic cleaner, and have a strand restrung when the string stretches or weakens. The pages [how to clean pearls](https://learnaboutpearls.com/care/how-to-clean-pearls/) and [what damages pearls](https://learnaboutpearls.com/care/what-damages-pearls/) go into detail, and the [care planner](https://learnaboutpearls.com/tools/pearl-care-planner/) turns the advice into a plan for your own pearls. The advice below comes from GIA and from CIBJO, the international jewelry confederation, and applies to [natural](https://learnaboutpearls.com/glossary/#natural-pearl) and [cultured pearls](https://learnaboutpearls.com/glossary/#cultured-pearl) alike. ## What damages pearls Pearls are soft: GIA puts their hardness at 2.5 to 3.0 on the Mohs scale. [1] They can be damaged by heat and by hair spray, perfume, cosmetics and acid perspiration. [2] CIBJO adds solvents and acids to the list, warns never to put pearls in an ultrasonic cleaner, and notes that some [color-treated pearls](https://learnaboutpearls.com/glossary/#treated-pearl) can fade or revert to their original color under strong light. [3] [Nacre](https://learnaboutpearls.com/glossary/#nacre) quality matters too. Thin nacre affects durability as well as [luster](https://learnaboutpearls.com/glossary/#luster). [4] ## Everyday care - Put pearls on after applying perfume or cosmetics. [2] - After wearing them, wipe them with a soft cloth dampened in clean water. [3] - Handle them gently, and take them off for heavy work. [3] ## Storing pearls Store each piece separately, so nothing scratches it, and don’t wrap pearls in materials that absorb moisture, such as cotton wool. Pearls that go unworn for long periods should still be wiped with a soft, damp cloth at regular intervals. [3] ## Restringing Over the years, the string on a strand stretches and weakens, and pearls can easily be [restrung](https://learnaboutpearls.com/glossary/#restringing) by a jeweler. [2] Knots between the pearls stop them from rubbing against each other and keep you from losing them all if the string breaks. [2] The page [restringing pearls](https://learnaboutpearls.com/care/restringing-pearls/) explains how often. ## Start here 1. [How to clean pearls](https://learnaboutpearls.com/care/how-to-clean-pearls/) 2. [What damages pearls](https://learnaboutpearls.com/care/what-damages-pearls/) 3. [Restringing pearls](https://learnaboutpearls.com/care/restringing-pearls/) ## Every page in this section - [How to clean pearls](https://learnaboutpearls.com/care/how-to-clean-pearls/) A safe routine for cleaning pearls, what never to use, and how to dry and store them afterward. - [What damages pearls](https://learnaboutpearls.com/care/what-damages-pearls/) What harms pearls, from chemicals, heat and light to everyday wear, and why some pearls change color. - [Restringing pearls](https://learnaboutpearls.com/care/restringing-pearls/) How often to restring pearls, how to tell a strand needs it, and why knots matter. ## References 1. Gemological Institute of America (GIA), Gem Encyclopedia. Pearl. [Source](https://www.gia.edu/pearl) · [Archived copy](https://web.archive.org/web/20260909031512/https://www.gia.edu/pearl) 2. Gemological Institute of America (GIA), Gem Encyclopedia. Pearl Buyer's Guide. [Source](https://www.gia.edu/pearl/buyers-guide) · [Archived copy](https://web.archive.org/web/20260613185853/https://www.gia.edu/pearl/buyers-guide) 3. CIBJO, The World Jewellery Confederation, Pearl Commission (2026). The CIBJO Pearl Book (Pearl Blue Book) 2026. [Source](https://cibjo.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/Pearl-Blue-Book-2026-.pdf) · [Archived copy](https://web.archive.org/web/20261025235254/https://cibjo.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/Pearl-Blue-Book-2026-.pdf) 4. Gemological Institute of America (GIA), Gem Encyclopedia. Pearl Quality Factors. [Source](https://www.gia.edu/pearl-quality-factor) · [Archived copy](https://web.archive.org/web/20261016075647/https://www.gia.edu/pearl-quality-factor) **Written by:** Learn About Pearls editors **Fact-checked:** Learn About Pearls editors, October 26, 2026 **Reviewed by:** Simon, October 26, 2026 **First published:** November 4, 2026 **Publisher:** [Unique Pearl](https://learnaboutpearls.com/about/), a pearl jeweler **Revision history** 1. November 4, 2026: First published. First published **How to cite this page** **APA:** Learn About Pearls editors. (2026). _How Do You Care for Pearls?_ Learn About Pearls. https://learnaboutpearls.com/care/ **MLA:** “How Do You Care for Pearls?” _Learn About Pearls_, Unique Pearl, November 4, 2026, learnaboutpearls.com/care/. **Chicago:** Learn About Pearls editors. “How Do You Care for Pearls?” Learn About Pearls. Unique Pearl. Last modified November 4, 2026. https://learnaboutpearls.com/care/. **BibTeX:** `@misc{lap-care, title = {How Do You Care for Pearls?}, author = {{Learn About Pearls editors}}, year = {2026}, howpublished = {\url{https://learnaboutpearls.com/care/}}, note = {Learn About Pearls, published by Unique Pearl}}` Quoting with attribution and a link is welcome. See [how to cite and reuse](https://learnaboutpearls.com/cite/). **Suggest a correction** ## Related pages - [Wearing](https://learnaboutpearls.com/wearing/): How pearls are worn, the June birthstone and pearl anniversaries, and how to wear pearls safely. - [Owning pearls](https://learnaboutpearls.com/owning/): How to work out what older or inherited pearls are, and how to keep them in good repair.