Dye still coming off...help!!!

[A Breaker]

I know these are dyed freshwater...but they had gook on them and I washed them to find out that the dye was not only coloring the soap & water...it left blue dye stains on the paper towel I was drying them on. So I washed them 14 more times.... (Twice a day, plus soaking for 7 days.). The dye is still coming off! They are turning a lovely shade of blue...or I would throw them out. But I still don't want to wear them, in case I sweat & cause the dye to stain my clothes. Is there any trick to set the dye or to get more off?

 

[KarinK]

14 more times? Sounds a bit like a lost cause.

 

[KarinK]

14 more times? Sounds a bit like a lost cause.

Hmm, maybe put them in something dispensable and in the washer. Nothing to loose, right?

 

[Pella]

With fabric, you use a mordant to stop dyes running - salt or vinegar and soak the item. But with pearls ...? I wouldn't advise using vinegar.

 

[Pearl Dreams]

I've never heard of dyed freshwaters whose dye was unstable.

 

[Pella]

I've never heard of dyed freshwaters whose dye was unstable.

Nor have I but about 20 or so years ago I saw someone's "lapis lazuli" necklace run. The necklace would leave blue marks on the skin caused by perspiration.

 

[Pella]

AB have you had them off the thread? I am wondering whether the dye is caught in the pearl holes or the thread itself, though if you say that they are getting lighter then the colour is leaching out of the pearls. As I said before, do not use vinegar, it will dissolve the pearls.

 

[ennui]

Lapis Lazuli is frequently dyed, unfortunately. There's a test you can do with a cotton ball, but I forget the details.

I'm wondering about these freshwater pearls .... have you let them dry completely, and then rub with a cloth to see if the dye transfers? How is the lustre on the pearls now that the dye is coming off?

I've only washed one strand of Akoyas, my other pearls I just wipe with a microfiber. I don't usually wear pearls when the weather is that hot; someone once commented that pearls are for winter and diamonds are for summer.