Pearl Jewellery Care Guide: How to Clean and Maintain Your Precious Gems

Pearl jewellery is a symbol of timeless elegance, and at Pearl Gallery, we understand how important it is to preserve the beauty and lustre of your treasured pearls. With our handcrafted pieces, we aim to provide you with stunning jewellery that will last a lifetime. In this fun and informative guide, we'll share essential tips on cleaning and maintaining your pearl jewellery to ensure their lasting radiance.

Understanding the Unique Nature of Pearls

Pearls are delicate organic gems formed within oysters or molluscs, and they require special care compared to other gemstones. They are sensitive to chemicals, humidity, and temperature changes, which can affect their appearance and durability.

Simple Tips for Pearl Jewellery Care

Keeping your pearls in pristine condition doesn't have to be a daunting task. Here are some easy, yet effective tips to help you protect and care for your pearl jewellery.

• Wear with care: Always put on your pearl jewellery after applying makeup, perfume, and hair products. These substances can damage the pearl's surface and affect its lustre.
• Store safely: Store your pearl jewellery in a soft pouch or lined jewellery box, separate from other pieces to prevent scratches. Avoid exposing them to extreme temperatures or humidity.
• Wipe after wear: Gently wipe your pearls with a soft, damp cloth after each wear to remove body oils and dirt. This helps maintain their natural beauty and prolongs their life.
• Avoid chemicals: Never use harsh chemicals or ultrasonic cleaners to clean your pearls. These can cause damage to the nacre, the outer layer of the pearl.

How to Clean Your Pearl Jewellery

Regular cleaning of your pearl jewellery is crucial for maintaining their lustre and beauty. Follow these simple steps for a safe and effective cleaning process:

1. Prepare a solution: Mix a few drops of mild soap with lukewarm water in a small bowl.
2. Gently clean: Dip a soft cloth or a gentle brush into the soapy water, and carefully clean your pearls, making sure not to submerge them in water.
3. Rinse: Dampen another soft cloth with clean water and gently wipe the pearls to remove any soap residue.
4. Dry: Lay your pearls on a soft, absorbent towel to air dry completely before storing them.

Preserve the Timeless Elegance of Your Pearl Gallery Jewellery

With proper care and maintenance, your exquisite pearl jewellery from Pearl Gallery will

Established in 2003, Pearl Gallery is a proud, independent British jewellers located in the heart of Birmingham's Jewellery Quarter. With 20 years of expertise spanning two family generations, our pearl specialist jewellers remain privately owned and run today by the same passionate Ellis Family.

Our Founder: Trevor Ellis

Trevor Ellis, a highly accomplished gemmologist, founded Pearl Gallery after studying Gemmology in college and making a name for himself as a top salesman for a German jewellery company. His travels across South Asia enabled him to forge strong connections with pearl farmers and traders. These relationships allowed Trevor to import high-quality pearls at lower prices than typical retailers, which he passed on to Pearl Gallery's customers.

Thanks to Trevor's commitment to excellent customer service and keen attention to detail, Pearl Gallery quickly gained a reputation as a trusted and respected business in the pearl industry.

Meet Our Co-Founder: Julie Ellis

Julie Ellis, co-founder of Pearl Gallery, is an incredibly skilled craftswoman renowned for her expertise in pearl threading and necklace repairs. Her passion for pearls and unwavering attention to detail shine through in the beautiful jewellery pieces she creates. In addition to designing stunning pearl creations, Julie is responsible for training and managing the Pearl Gallery team.

Julie's natural leadership skills, kindness, and dedication to providing top-notch customer service have been integral to the success of Pearl Gallery. She takes great pride in sharing her passion for pearls with others.

The Next Generation: Luke Ellis

As Pearl Gallery flourished, Trevor and Julie's son, Luke, developed a keen interest in pearls and joined the family business. Under the expert guidance of his parents, Luke honed his skills and eventually took over

Freshwater pearls are some of nature's most enchanting treasures. Their lustrous allure and versatile appeal have captivated the hearts of jewellery enthusiasts for centuries. Sourced from freshwater mussels that inhabit rivers, lakes, and ponds, these pearls are celebrated for their diverse shapes, colours, and sizes. In this blog, we will take a deep dive into the world of freshwater pearls, exploring their formation, harvesting, characteristics, and how to choose the perfect piece for your collection.

Formation and Harvesting:

The Formation Process

Freshwater pearls are formed when a foreign particle enters a freshwater mussel. As a natural defence mechanism, the mussel secretes layers of nacre around the irritant to form a pearl. Unlike saltwater pearls, which typically rely on a bead nucleus, freshwater pearls are predominantly composed of solid nacre. This gives them their signature lustrous appearance and makes them more durable.

Harvesting Techniques

Pearl farmers have cultivated freshwater pearls since ancient times. Today, China is the largest producer, with the majority of farms located around the Triangle of Pearl River in the provinces of Zhejiang, Jiangsu, and Anhui. Farmers introduce a small piece of mantle tissue from a donor mussel into the host mussel, which triggers the nacre secretion process. This technique, known as nucleation, allows farmers to control the size and shape of the pearls to some extent. The cultivation period usually ranges from 2 to 7 years, depending on the desired size.

Characteristics of Freshwater Pearls:

Shapes and Sizes

Freshwater pearls come in various shapes, including round, near-round, oval, button, drop, and baroque. Round pearls are the rarest and most sought-after, while baroque pearls offer unique, irregular forms that are perfect for artistic pearl jewellery designs. Freshwater pearls also vary in size, ranging from tiny seed pearls at 2mm to larger statement pieces measuring 15mm or more.

Colours

The natural colours of freshwater pearls can range from classic white and cream to pastel shades of pink, lavender, and peach. Some pearls also exhibit an iridescent effect known as orient,

which adds to their visual appeal. Pearl farmers can influence the colour by introducing donor mantle tissue from mussels with specific colour traits, or through post-harvest treatments such as dyeing and irradiation.

Lustre

The lustre of a pearl refers to the way light interacts with its surface. Freshwater pearls are known for their soft, satiny lustre, which can vary from subtle to high. The thickness and quality of the nacre layers greatly influence the lustre. Generally, the thicker the nacre, the more lustrous and valuable the pearl.

Choosing the Perfect Freshwater Pearl Jewellery:

Determine Your Budget

Freshwater pearls are more affordable than their saltwater counterparts, making them an excellent choice for first-time buyers and collectors. Prices can range from under £50 for a simple pair of earrings to thousands of pounds for a high-quality necklace.

Consider the Occasion

Choose pearl jewellery that suits the occasion, whether it's a gift, a statement piece for a special event, or a versatile addition to your everyday wardrobe. Classic white pearls are timeless and elegant, while coloured pearls offer a contemporary twist.

Inspect the Quality

Examine the pearl's surface for imperfections, as fewer blemishes signify higher quality. Lustre, size, and colour are also crucial factors to consider. Ensure that the pearls are well-matched in terms of size, shape, and colour for a cohesive and harmonious appearance in multi-pearl jewellery.

4. Choose the Right Style

Freshwater pearls are incredibly versatile and can be found in various types of jewellery, including necklaces, bracelets, earrings, and rings. Consider your personal style and preferences when selecting a piece.

Necklaces: Freshwater pearl necklaces can be single or multi-strand, choker, matinee, or opera length. A simple strand of pearls is a timeless classic, while a baroque pearl necklace offers a bold, modern look.

Bracelets: Pearl bracelets are available in bangle, charm, or stretch styles. A delicate single-strand pearl bracelet adds a touch of sophistication, while a chunky multi-strand design makes a statement.

Earrings: Freshwater pearl earrings can be studs, drops, or hoops. Pearl studs are an elegant choice for everyday wear or special occasions, while drop earrings or hoops offer a more contemporary appeal.

Rings: Pearl rings range from simple solitaires to intricate designs with gemstone accents. A