Pearl Care Planner
Answer four questions about your pearls to get a care plan that fits them. Every step comes from GIA’s or CIBJO’s care advice, and the whole plan shows below if you would rather read all of it.
Your care plan#
The plan below comes from GIA’s and CIBJO’s care advice.
Answer any of the questions to see the notes that apply.
Every time you wear them
- Put pearls on after hairspray, lotion, perfume and other cosmetics, which can permanently damage their surface. 1 2
- When you take them off, wipe them with a soft cloth dampened in clean water. 2 3
- Pearls you haven't worn for a while need wiping too: CIBJO advises a soft cloth dampened in clean water, at regular intervals. 3
When they need a deeper clean
- Use a new, clean makeup brush and warm, soapy water, gently, because soft gems such as pearls scratch easily. Rinse jewelry in a glass of water rather than over a sink. 1
- Lay a strand on a towel to dry. Its silk thread can stretch and attract dirt while it is wet, so leave it until it is completely dry. 1
- Pearl earrings can be cleaned the same way. 1
Never use
- Ultrasonic cleaners, household cleaners, which often contain ammonia, or any acid or solvent; excessive heat can make pearls dry out, crack and discolor. 1 3
- Treated pearls need extra care: treatments can be affected by heat, solvents, steam and ultrasonic cleaners, and some color-treated pearls can fade or revert to their original color under strong light. 1 3
Storing them
- Store each piece separately so nothing scratches it, away from other gems and metal jewelry. 2 3
- Never store pearls in a plastic bag, which can give off a chemical that damages their surface. 2
- Pearls draw moisture from the air, so a very dry place, such as a safe deposit box, can sometimes do more harm than good. 1
- Don't wrap pearls in materials that absorb moisture, such as cotton wool. 3
Professional care
More about care#
The page how to clean pearls explains each step, a separate page covers new string and knots, and what damages pearls covers the other risks.
References#
- Gemological Institute of America (GIA), News & Research (2015). Tips on Caring for Jewelry. Source · Archived copy (accessed 2026-10-26)
- Gemological Institute of America (GIA), Birthstones. June Birthstones. Source · Archived copy (accessed 2026-10-25)
- CIBJO, The World Jewellery Confederation, Pearl Commission (2026). The CIBJO Pearl Book (Pearl Blue Book) 2026. Source · Archived copy (accessed 2026-10-25)
- Gemological Institute of America (GIA), Gem Encyclopedia. Pearl Buyer's Guide. Source · Archived copy (accessed 2026-10-25)
- Written by
- Learn About Pearls editors
- Fact-checked
- Learn About Pearls editors,
- Reviewed by
- Simon,
- First published
- Publisher
- Unique Pearl, a pearl jeweler
Revision history
- : First published. First published
How to cite this page
- APA
- Learn About Pearls editors. (2026). Pearl Care Planner. Learn About Pearls. https://learnaboutpearls.com/tools/pearl-care-planner/
- MLA
- “Pearl Care Planner.” Learn About Pearls, Unique Pearl, November 4, 2026, learnaboutpearls.com/tools/pearl-care-planner/.
- Chicago
- Learn About Pearls editors. “Pearl Care Planner.” Learn About Pearls. Unique Pearl. Last modified November 4, 2026. https://learnaboutpearls.com/tools/pearl-care-planner/.
- BibTeX
@misc{lap-tools-pearl-care-planner, title = {Pearl Care Planner}, author = {{Learn About Pearls editors}}, year = {2026}, howpublished = {\url{https://learnaboutpearls.com/tools/pearl-care-planner/}}, note = {Learn About Pearls, published by Unique Pearl}}
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