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Care of Pearls
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Store
in soft cloth sack, separate form metallic necklaces & jewelry.
When traveling, put pearls
in a box so they don’t rub against each other.
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Never
use ultrasonic cleaners. Vibrations can shatter cracked or thinly
nacred pearls.
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Keep
them away from chemical cleaners, bleach, laundry detergent, baking
soda and anything containing ammonia like Windex.
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Remove
pearls before washing dishes, doing housework or applying perfume
and hair spray.
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Do not
wear pearls in swimming pools with chlorinated water.
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Avoid
contact with foods containing acids (fruit juices, salad dressings & wine)
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Pearls
can dry out if stored in a safe so place a small container of water
with holes punched in the lid in the compartment with them. Pearls
contain trace amounts of water. Take them out and wear them.
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Don’t
store in plastic bags. Plastic often emit chemicals that can deteriorate
the surface of pearls.
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Keep away from heat sources such as
the top of TV sets, stove and fireplace mantles. |
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***Treat pearls like fine silk. Wearing
pearls in daily sunlight exposures are generally safe. Constant exposure
to very bright lights over a long periods of time, be it direct sunlight
or intense halogen lights, can fade natural as well as treated colors.*** |
Keep Pearls Looking Beautiful
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After wearing, clean your pearls.
Wet your hand and glide your strand gently to dampen the pearls.
Do not put them directly in water. Place the strand on a clean
towel, press & squeeze
(don’t wring) the towel and remove the moisture along with
the oils and perspiration that has accumulated on the pearls. Periodically,
use a dilute natural soap solution that has been rung out in a towel
to roll and squeeze the pearls. Then use a fresh, damp towel and
roll the pearls in them to remove the soap. When clean, the pearls
will feel smooth and have their luster once again. If you have a
pearl cloth, press the pearls in it for an extra cleaning touch.
Contrary to popular belief, the
acidic oils and perspiration from human skin can damage the surface
of pearls.
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Restring
pearls periodically. When individual pearls move freely
between the knots, it is time to restring. If the knots are soiled,
it is time. This can vary from a few months to 2 years depending
on how often the pearls are worn. Silk thread with knots tied between
the pearls prevents abrasion and ensures that all are not lost if
the strand is broken.
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Pearls should be the LAST THING
ON when dressing
and the FIRST THING OFF at night. Then don’t forget to clean
them. |
Bibliography
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Compiled & composed by Betty Sue
King. Subsequently mangled by her webmaster JB
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Italicized text are partial or complete quotes
from the following source: Landman, Neil H., Mikkelsen, Paula M.,
Bieler, Rudiger & Bronson, Bennet, Pearls: A Natural History,
Harry N Abrams, Inc. in association with The American Museum of Natural
History & The Field Museum, New York, NY, 2001
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