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YahooNatural pearls are formed when an accidental intruder slips into an oyster's shell and the irritated oyster puts layer after layer of nacre around the piece of sand or whatever particle to protect itself. It's a bit like the multiple layers of an onion skin. Natural pearls vary in shape depending on the shape of the "intruder" being coated. These are truly accidental pearls and they are rare, of many shapes, and are quite expensive. In the market today, if you see natural pearls, they are probably old. However, Grandma may have a set and if you inherit them....you need to gently care for them.
The pearls most people wear today are cultured. The process that takes place in the mollusk is similar except that pearl workers deliberately place the particles inside the mollusks. Depending on the water, the mollusk type, and the length of time the particle is left in place, the nacre gets thicker and the pearl becomes more valuable. Cultured pearls which are easily available are also easier to clean than the (usually vintage) natural ones.
In jewelry, pearls (especially the natural ones) rank at the top of the list for many, as they radiate classic elegance and style. Because they are natural, they are more fragile than most precious stones used for jewelry and, as such, require gentle handling and care. However, the beauty of these pearls makes this tiny time commitment really worthwhile.
Clean pearls with very mild soap dissolved in water. No harsh detergents, ultrasonic cleaners, ammonia or abrasives that will easily remove the outside layer of nacre in your pearls. Only do this when your pearls are really dirty. Don't soak them, as you don't want the string holding them together to disintegrate. Air dry the cleaned string immediately.
Wear your pearls only after you have put on your make up, lotions, and perfume. Or take them off before putting on the war paint. Any residue of ammonia, alcohol or other solvents used in these beauty care products can damage the nacre in your pearls.
Wipe the pearls with lint-free cloth after each use. You want to remove any residue of sweat which can take the nacre off. You may dampen the cloth but make sure you air dry your pearls before you store them.
Store your pearls separately from your other precious stones or jewelry. Pearls can be scratched easily and many gem stones (even fakes) can rub against your pearls and leave marks on them. You can put them in a chamois bag so they are protected from the other jewelry pieces or put them in separate compartments in your box.
Have your pearls professionally restrung periodically. Bring your pearls to reputable jewelry stores for this, especially the natural ones. For cultured pearls, it really depends on the quality. For some, just buy a new strand as it may cost more to restring than to get a new one. Keep your extra pearl pieces as you can use them as accents when making some fashion jewelry.
