PEARLS OF WISDOM
Not all pearls are grown in oysters. The type of mollusc
determines the type, size, colour and value of a pearl. An
irritant, such as a grain of sand, nds its way into the mollusc's
shell, or is placed there in the case of cultured pearls. The
mollusc must now protect its soft tissues so it gradually deposits
layers of calcium and other minerals, which together form
nacre, and over time a pearl is grown. The size of the pearl is
determined by how long it stays in the shell.
Pearly white
In the previous tips, I've mentioned which cleaning methods to
avoid for pearls, but thought it a good idea to share a couple of
cleaning tips for this particular gem. All the advice in chapter 3
on what to avoid when wearing jewellery applies to pearls too.
Pearls like being worn as our skin's natural oils help to keep
them from drying out. Simply wipe each individual pearl with a
soft damp cloth to remove any excess oil or perspiration after
they've been worn and before putting away. Dirty pearls can be
cleaned with a mild soap and water solution, such as Lux or
Fairy, rather than washing up liquid, which strips away oils. Use
only a soft cloth, not a toothbrush and avoid getting the stringing
silk wet. The best advice is not to get them dirty in the rst place.
If the jewellery has silver or other metal that needs cleaning, try
to isolate the pearls when cleaning the metal and not let any of
the cleaning compound touch the pearls.
Branded pearl cleaners
You can purchase a branded cleaner speci cally formulated for
pearls from department stores, hardware stores, jewellers or
from Amazon. Town Talk and Hagerty are two well known and
trusted brands.
