Journal
Pearl Care: How to Wear, Clean and Store Pearls
Karwa Chauth: Thursday, 29 October 2026 · Diwali: Sunday, 8 November 2026 · Prices as on 22 October 2026
To take care of pearl jewellery, wear it last and remove it first, wipe it after each wear, clean it only with a soft damp cloth, store it flat and separately, and restring strands when the knots loosen. That is the short answer. The rest of this guide explains each step, so your pearls keep their lustre through every festival and wedding.
With Karwa Chauth and Diwali close, pearls are coming out of their boxes. If you are choosing a pearl gift, see our pearl gifts for Karwa Chauth or Bhai Dooj gifts for your sister. For every other piece you own, see our jewellery care guide.
Why pearls need different care
Pearls are organic gems, grown inside a living mollusc rather than mined like a diamond or a sapphire. They are much softer than those stones, so their surface marks easily. A sharp edge, a metal clasp or a tumble against harder jewellery can leave a scratch. Pearls are also sensitive to perfumes, hairsprays, cosmetics and acids. Their glow comes from fine layers of nacre, and repeated contact with these products can leave it looking tired.
Do pearls lose their lustre?
They can, usually slowly rather than overnight. Dullness often comes from a build-up of skin oils, soap, perfume and make-up, or from pearls rubbing against harder pieces in storage. Gentle, regular care protects the nacre and keeps the glow even.
Wearing pearls: last on, first off
Make pearls the last piece you put on and the first you take off. Let perfume, hairspray, make-up, sindoor, mehendi and attar settle before your pearls go on. Take them off before bathing, swimming, the gym, cooking or household cleaning, where steam, chlorinated water, sweat and cleaning liquids can all affect them. After wearing, wipe each piece with a soft dry cloth before you put it away, while skin oils and make-up are still easy to lift.
Rings and bracelets follow the same rule: put them on after hand cream, and take them off before dishes or gardening. For daily wear, small pieces such as the Classic Akoya Pearl Diamond-Accent Stud Earrings are easier to look after than a long strand.
Classic Akoya Pearl Diamond-Accent Stud Earrings
7.0–7.5 mm Akoya cultured pearls (enhancement: bleaching), two natural diamonds totalling 0.15 ct. tw., G-H colour, SI1 clarity, 18K gold (yellow, rose or white), push backs
₹1,16,700 (as on 22 October 2026)
How to take care of pearl jewellery when you clean it at home
Cleaning is where good intentions often go wrong. Pearls need patience rather than pressure, and a little plain water goes a long way.
After every wear
Wipe the pearls with a soft, dry cloth, or one barely dampened with plain water. Work gently around the setting and the knots. Do not rub hard at a mark; if the cloth does not lift it, stop and ask a jeweller rather than reaching for a stronger cleaner.
A deeper clean, step by step
- Lay the piece on a soft towel. Dampen a clean, soft cloth with plain water and wipe each pearl gently.
- If the pearls still look dull, add a tiny amount of mild soap to the damp cloth, never directly to the pearl.
- Wipe again with a clean damp cloth to remove every trace of soap.
- Lay the piece flat on a dry towel and let it dry completely, away from direct heat.
- Never soak a strung necklace, and never hang it up wet. Water trapped in the cord and knots can weaken them.
Can pearls get wet?
A wipe with a damp cloth is fine; a soak is not. Take pearls off before showers, swimming and washing up, and dry them flat if they get splashed.
What never to use
- Ultrasonic or steam cleaners
- Chemical cleaners or silver dips
- Toothpaste or baking soda, which are abrasive
- Abrasive cloths or stiff brushes
Pearls set in silver or gold
Silver pearl jewellery needs care for two materials at once. Sterling silver tarnishes, and silver polish is not made for pearls. Polish only the metal with a silver polishing cloth, and keep any cleaner well away from the pearl. The Classic Milgrain-Halo Pearl Silver Pendant, for example, has a white topaz halo around the pearl, so work slowly around the edge.
Classic Milgrain-Halo Pearl Silver Pendant
6 mm white freshwater cultured pearl, milgrain-edged white topaz halo, sterling silver, 18-inch cable chain
₹14,500 (as on 22 October 2026)
Detachable pearl drops make this easier. On the Everyday Pearl and White Topaz Convertible Hoops, you can take the pearl drops off, care for the silver hoops on their own, and wipe the pearls separately. You can also wear the hoops without the pearls on days you know they would get splashed.
Everyday Pearl and White Topaz Convertible Hoops
Detachable 8.5–9 mm freshwater cultured pearl drops, white topaz, sterling silver hoops, hinged snap backs; wear the hoops alone or with the pearls
₹18,300 ₹26,200 sale price, as on 22 October 2026
Where a pearl piece has diamond accents, the pearl rules come first. The soak-and-brush method that suits diamond jewellery is not for pearls, so wipe these pieces with a soft damp cloth instead. Gold does not tarnish like silver, but check that claws and clasps are secure, and store the piece where a diamond or metal edge cannot scratch the pearl.
How to store pearls
Store pearls separately in a soft pouch or lined box, away from harder jewellery, humidity and direct sunlight, as our jewellery care guide recommends. Keep strands flat rather than hanging, because the weight can stretch the cord. Jewellers generally advise against sealing pearls in airtight plastic for long periods. The best thing you can do for pearls is take them out and wear them.
How to store a pearl necklace
Lay the necklace flat in its pouch or box, close the clasp, and keep anything heavy off it. Give pearl earrings their own small pouch or lined compartment, never a shared tray with watches, chains or diamond studs. When travelling, carry pearls in a padded pouch or roll, away from hard fastenings.
Hand-knotted strands and restringing
On a hand-knotted strand, a small knot sits between every pearl. It keeps the pearls from rubbing against each other, and if the cord breaks, you lose one pearl rather than the whole strand. Our Classic Hand-Knotted White Pearl Necklace is knotted this way, with about 60 freshwater cultured pearls on a silk blend cord.
Classic Hand-Knotted White Pearl Necklace
About 60 white freshwater cultured pearls, 6–6.5 mm, hand-knotted on a silk blend cord, 16 inches, 14K white gold fishhook safety clasp
₹38,700 (as on 22 October 2026)
How often should a pearl necklace be restrung?
There is no fixed calendar answer, because it depends on how often the strand is worn. Many jewellers suggest checking it regularly and restringing when the knots look loose. Look for a stretched cord, gaps between the knots, pearls that move, or a clasp that no longer feels secure. If you see any of these signs, stop wearing the strand until a jeweller has looked at it.
Our team offers professional cleaning, inspections and restoration, so you are welcome to book an appointment at our Connaught Place store and have your pearls checked.
Does pearl type change the care?
No. Freshwater, Akoya and South Sea cultured pearls all need the same gentle care, whatever their size or colour. Some pearls are also treated: our Akoya studs, for example, list “Enhancement: Bleaching” on their product page. That is one more reason to keep chemicals away and clean gently. For a rarer pearl, read our post on the enchanting world of conch pearls.
A quick do and don’t guide
| Do | Don’t |
|---|---|
| Put pearls on after perfume, hairspray and make-up | Spray perfume or hairspray while wearing pearls |
| Wipe with a soft dry or slightly damp cloth after wear | Use ultrasonic or steam cleaners, or chemical dips |
| Lay pearls flat to dry | Soak a strung necklace or hang it up wet |
| Store pearls separately in a soft pouch or lined box | Keep pearls loose in a tray with harder jewellery |
| Polish only the metal on silver-set pearls | Let silver cleaner touch the pearl |
| Check the knots and clasp regularly | Keep wearing a strand with a stretched cord |
Your pearl care checklist
PEARL CARE AT A GLANCE
- ☐ Last on, first off: after perfume, hairspray, make-up, sindoor and attar.
- ☐ Wipe after every wear: a soft, dry or slightly damp cloth.
- ☐ Clean gently: damp cloth only; no soaking, ultrasonic, steam or dips.
- ☐ Store flat and separately: soft pouch or lined box, away from humidity and sun.
- ☐ Check the knots: restring when the cord stretches or the pearls move.
Frequently asked questions
Can pearls get wet?
A quick splash will not ruin them, but take pearls off before bathing, swimming or washing up. Water and soap can weaken the silk cord of a strung necklace over time. If your pearls do get wet, pat them dry and let them dry flat.
How do I clean pearls at home?
Wipe them with a soft cloth after every wear. For a deeper clean, use a soft cloth dampened with plain water (a little mild soap only if needed), wipe again with clean water and let them dry flat. Never use ultrasonic or steam cleaners, chemical dips or toothpaste.
How should I store a pearl necklace?
Lay it flat, on its own, in a soft pouch or lined box, away from harder jewellery, humidity and direct sunlight. Do not hang it, because the weight can stretch the cord.
How often should a pearl necklace be restrung?
There is no fixed rule, because it depends on how often it is worn. Check the knots regularly and have the strand restrung when the cord looks stretched, gaps appear between the knots or the pearls start to move.
Can I wear pearls every day?
Yes, if you follow the last on, first off rule and wipe them after wearing. Pearl studs and pendants are easier everyday pieces than long strands.
Shop pearls and get them checked
Browse our pearl pieces in other gemstones and silver jewellery, or book an appointment at our Connaught Place store in New Delhi for cleaning or an inspection. Rings are made to size, and gift packaging is available on request. If you need a piece for a particular date, message us before you order and we’ll tell you whether your piece can reach you in time. For festive gift ideas, see our Dhanteras 2026 diamond jewellery guide.
Prices as on 22 October 2026 and subject to change. Last reviewed: 22 October 2026.