--- title: "Can Pearls Get Wet, and What Damages Them?" description: "What harms pearls and what doesn't: water, chlorine, cosmetics, acids, heat, light, dry air and scratches, and why pearls can change color over the years." canonical_url: "https://learnaboutpearls.com/care/what-damages-pearls/" last_updated: "2026-11-04" last_reviewed: "2026-11-01" reviewed_by: "Simon" publisher: "Unique Pearl" publisher_disclosure: "Learn About Pearls is published by Unique Pearl, a pearl jeweler." --- # Can Pearls Get Wet, and What Damages Them? **Short answer:** Clean water isn't the problem: GIA and CIBJO both recommend cleaning pearls with a damp cloth or warm, soapy water. What harms pearls is chemicals, heat and wear. Acids, solvents and household cleaners can damage them, as can perfume, hair spray and cosmetics, and GIA advises taking fine jewelry off before swimming in a chlorinated pool. Heat can make pearls dry out and crack, strong light can bleach them, and harder materials can scratch them. **Key facts:** - Pearls rate 2.5 to 3.0 on the Mohs scale, a comparatively soft gem. [1] - Hairspray, lotion, perfume and other cosmetics can permanently damage the surface of pearls. [2] - Excessive heat can make pearls dry out, crack and discolor, and extreme exposure to light can bleach them. [2] - In GIA's tests, a dilute hydrochloric acid solution made a cultured pearl effervesce. [3] - A plastic bag can give off a chemical that damages the surface of pearls. [1] - All natural and cultured pearls are known to change their color appearance over time. [4] - Pearls draw moisture from the air, so very dry storage can do more harm than good. [2] A pearl is made of calcium carbonate and organic material, [5] and it is a comparatively soft gem. [1] So most damage comes from chemicals, heat and wear. Six things that can damage a pearl, each covered below. Drawn for Learn About Pearls. **Text version of this diagram** A pearl, a comparatively soft gem, in the middle, with six things that can damage it around it. Chemicals: cosmetics, hairspray, perfume, perspiration, acids, solvents and household cleaners with ammonia. Heat, which can dry out, crack and discolor pearls. Strong light, which can bleach pearls or fade their color. Very dry air, because pearls draw moisture from the air. Scratches, because pearls are soft: keep them away from other gems and metal jewelry. And the wrong storage: no plastic bags, and no wrapping in cotton wool. ## Can pearls get wet? Clean water isn’t the problem. CIBJO’s care advice is to wipe pearls with a soft cloth dampened in clean water after wearing them, and GIA suggests warm, soapy water and a soft makeup brush for a deeper clean. [2, 6] Two cautions apply. A strand’s silk thread stretches and attracts dirt while it is wet, so it should dry completely before you handle it, and GIA advises removing fine jewelry before swimming in a chlorinated pool. [2] ## Chemicals Even everyday products can harm pearls. Hairspray, lotion, perfume and other cosmetics can permanently damage their surface, [2] and acid perspiration can harm them too. [7] Put pearls on after perfume, hair products and makeup. [1] Stronger chemicals do more harm. CIBJO says pearls should be kept away from all solvents and acids, [6] and in GIA’s tests, a dilute hydrochloric acid solution made a [cultured pearl](https://learnaboutpearls.com/glossary/#cultured-pearl) effervesce. [3] Many household cleaners contain ammonia, which can be too harsh for delicate gems. [2] ## Heat, light and dry air Excessive heat and sudden temperature changes can damage some gems, and pearls in particular can dry out, crack and discolor. [2] CIBJO also warns against exposing pearls to high temperatures. [6] Strong light can change a pearl’s color. Pearls bleach under extreme exposure to light, [2] and some natural and cultured pearls can fade in sunlight, artificial light or strong display lights; some [color-treated pearls](https://learnaboutpearls.com/glossary/#treated-pearl) can even revert to their original color. [6] [Conch pearls](https://learnaboutpearls.com/glossary/#conch-pearl) are especially sensitive: their color may fade with long exposure to sunlight, or even short exposure to X-rays. [6] Very dry air can harm pearls as well. Pearls draw moisture from the air, so storing them somewhere very dry, such as a safe deposit box, can sometimes do more harm than good. [2] ## Scratches and wear Pearls rate only 2.5 to 3.0 on the Mohs scale of hardness, [1] and soft gems such as pearls scratch easily. [2] Store them separately from other gems and metal jewelry, avoid rough handling, and take them off for heavy work. [1, 6] Strands wear in their own way. Knots between the pearls stop them from rubbing against each other, and over the years the string stretches and weakens, so strands need [restringing](https://learnaboutpearls.com/glossary/#restringing). [7] A pearl’s quality matters too. GIA notes that thin [nacre](https://learnaboutpearls.com/glossary/#nacre) affects a pearl’s durability as well as its [luster](https://learnaboutpearls.com/glossary/#luster), and that many or severe surface blemishes can affect durability. [8] ## Storage Never store pearls in a plastic bag, which can give off a chemical that damages their surface, [1] and don’t wrap them in materials that absorb moisture, such as cotton wool. [6] ## Why pearls change color over time Pearls are made by living animals, and that shows over the years. CIBJO’s guide notes that, because of their biogenic nature, all natural and cultured pearls are known to change their color appearance over time. [4] Heat can discolor them, [2] light can bleach or fade them, [2, 6] and cosmetics and perspiration can damage their surface. [2, 7] The page [how to clean pearls](https://learnaboutpearls.com/care/how-to-clean-pearls/) gives a safe routine. ## Questions people ask ### Can you shower or swim with pearls? It's best not to. GIA advises removing fine jewelry before swimming in a chlorinated pool, and hair products and cosmetics can damage the surface of pearls. A strand's silk thread also stretches while it is wet. [1, 2] ### Why do pearls turn yellow? Pearls can change color as they age. CIBJO notes that, because they are biogenic, all natural and cultured pearls are known to change their color appearance over time. GIA warns that heat can discolor pearls, and CIBJO that some color-treated pearls can revert to their original color under strong light. [2, 4, 6] ### Can pearls dry out? Yes. Excessive heat can make pearls dry out, crack and discolor. Pearls also draw moisture from the air, so GIA notes that storing them somewhere very dry, such as a safe deposit box, can sometimes do more harm than good. [2] ### Does perfume ruin pearls? It can. GIA says hairspray, lotion, perfume and other cosmetics can permanently damage the surface of pearls, and advises putting pearls on after applying them. [1, 2] ## References 1. Gemological Institute of America (GIA), Birthstones. June Birthstones. [Source](https://www.gia.edu/birthstones/june-birthstones) · [Archived copy](https://web.archive.org/web/20260614074112/https://www.gia.edu/birthstones/june-birthstones) 2. Gemological Institute of America (GIA), News & Research (2015). Tips on Caring for Jewelry. [Source](https://www.gia.edu/gia-news-research-tips-caring-jewelry) · [Archived copy](https://web.archive.org/web/20260113070939/https://www.gia.edu/gia-news-research-tips-caring-jewelry) 3. June Hanano, Mary Wildman and Philip G. Yurkiewicz (1990). Majorica Imitation Pearls. [Source](https://www.gia.edu/doc/Majorica-Imitation-Pearls.pdf) · DOI [10.5741/GEMS.26.3.178](https://doi.org/10.5741/GEMS.26.3.178) · [Archived copy](https://web.archive.org/web/20251005124434/https://www.gia.edu/doc/Majorica-Imitation-Pearls.pdf) 4. CIBJO Pearl Commission (2025). CIBJO Guides Describing and Classifying Natural and Cultured Pearls, the Producing Molluscs & Responsible Pearling. [Source](https://cibjo.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/Final-Guide-October-2025-v2-COMPRESSED.pdf) · [Archived copy](https://web.archive.org/web/20260212155210/https://cibjo.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/Final-Guide-October-2025-v2-COMPRESSED.pdf) 5. U.S. Federal Trade Commission (Electronic Code of Federal Regulations). 16 CFR Part 23, Guides for the Jewelry, Precious Metals, and Pewter Industries. [Source](https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-16/chapter-I/subchapter-B/part-23) · [Archived copy](https://web.archive.org/web/20260907072405/https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-16/chapter-I/subchapter-B/part-23) 6. 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) 7. 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) 8. 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, November 1, 2026 **Reviewed by:** Simon, November 1, 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). _Can Pearls Get Wet, and What Damages Them?_ Learn About Pearls. https://learnaboutpearls.com/care/what-damages-pearls/ **MLA:** “Can Pearls Get Wet, and What Damages Them?” _Learn About Pearls_, Unique Pearl, November 4, 2026, learnaboutpearls.com/care/what-damages-pearls/. **Chicago:** Learn About Pearls editors. “Can Pearls Get Wet, and What Damages Them?” Learn About Pearls. Unique Pearl. Last modified November 4, 2026. https://learnaboutpearls.com/care/what-damages-pearls/. **BibTeX:** `@misc{lap-care-what-damages-pearls, title = {Can Pearls Get Wet, and What Damages Them?}, author = {{Learn About Pearls editors}}, year = {2026}, howpublished = {\url{https://learnaboutpearls.com/care/what-damages-pearls/}}, 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 - [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. - [Care](https://learnaboutpearls.com/care/): What damages pearls, how to clean and store them, and when to restring. - [Dyed and treated pearls](https://learnaboutpearls.com/identification/dyed-and-treated-pearls/): The common pearl treatments, from bleaching and dyeing to irradiation, and how labs detect them.