Pearls look good on every woman no matter what they're wearing. They can complete the look of anything, from a plain black dress to a dreamy wedding gown. With proper care and maintenance, they're guaranteed to last for many generations. Continue reading whether you own natural or cultured ones. Below are some tips on preserving the beauty of pearl jewelry.

Every item should be stored in separate pouches - bracelets, rings, necklaces, earrings, etc. Ideally, the pouches should be out of linen, cotton or silk. It's also fine to place them inside a jewelry box. But make sure they get their own compartment that's lined. Other jewelry's metal and gemstone parts can definitely scratch the fine surface of pearls should they rub off against them.

Keep them from getting in contact with harsh chemicals. Your perfumes, hair styling products, make up and other cosmetics may contain such chemicals. That's why you should apply them all first before putting on your jewelry. Before storing them at the end of the day, make it a habit to wipe them off with a cloth that's dry and soft. This will deal with chemical residues on their surface.

There are hard or rough fabric types that can also scratch your pearls. If you're wearing garbs out of these fabrics, it's best to skip wearing your precious pearls. Additionally, you should keep them from rubbing against metal zippers, hooks, buttons and the likes. Your jewelry must be the last thing you put on when dressing. When undressing, do the reverse: they should be the very first thing you remove.

While the natural oils on your skin can enhance the luster of your jewelry, the acids on your skin can damage it. That's why you should remember to wipe them clean each time before storing them. Occasionally, you may use a damp cloth for a thorough cleaning. But make sure you let them completely dry naturally before storage. Do not use any cleaning solution except something that's formulated for pearls.

Take off your jewelry before doing activities that will cause you to sweat heavily. Some of them include exercising, cleaning the home, or staying in areas that are hot and humid. The same is true with activities that will cause them to get in contact with dirt or chemicals. Before swimming, remove pearl necklaces as the silk thread can weaken with prolonged water exposure.

Speaking of necklaces, it's best to have them restrung every 1 to 2 years by an experienced jeweler. Usually, silk thread is used, although nylon has become an acceptable alternative these days. See to it that knots are made between pearls to spare them from rubbing against each other. And as added precaution, these knots will also keep the pieces from falling all together should the string break.

The beauty of pearl jewelry never goes out of style. They may not be as expensive as diamonds, but they're usually not cheap either. That's why it's important that you properly take good care of them to make them last for a very long time.