Catherine Pearl
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- Joined
- Aug 11, 2025
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Pearl Beginner’s Guide – Can Pearls Be Washed with Water?
A common misconception is that since pearls grow in water, they can be washed in water. In reality, washing pearls with water is not recommended. Why not?
1. Pearls have tiny pores on the surface.
Pearls are made of calcium carbonate in a hexagonal layered structure. These microscopic pores can let water seep inside. If moisture reaches the nucleus of the pearl, it’s hard to evaporate, which may cause the nacre to peel off or the pearl to detach from its nucleus.
2. Jewelry components are vulnerable to water damage.
Whether it’s a necklace or a pendant, pearls go through post-harvest processing—such as stringing on thread. Prolonged soaking can weaken the thread, making it brittle. Water can seep through drill holes into the pearl body, shortening its lifespan. For mounted pieces, water can also enter through tiny gaps in the setting, reducing durability.
3. Pearls in nature don’t “soak” in water the way you think.
Even though pearls form inside mollusks in aquatic environments, they’re surrounded by epithelial cells—not directly exposed to water. It’s similar to human skin: our skin needs hydration, but excessive washing can cause moisture loss. The same principle applies to pearls.
Safe cleaning method:
If you need to clean pearls, wipe them gently with a soft cloth—either dry or slightly dampened. Never immerse them in water or rinse under a tap.
4. Pearl quality affects water resistance and luster longevity.
Commercial pearls are typically graded. For example, “strong luster” pearls have thinner nacre than top-grade “Aurora” pearls. Thicker nacre is denser, making it harder for internal moisture and proteins to interact with the environment, which preserves their luster longer.
In short: Don’t wash pearls with water—gentle wiping is the best way
to care for them.
A common misconception is that since pearls grow in water, they can be washed in water. In reality, washing pearls with water is not recommended. Why not?
1. Pearls have tiny pores on the surface.
Pearls are made of calcium carbonate in a hexagonal layered structure. These microscopic pores can let water seep inside. If moisture reaches the nucleus of the pearl, it’s hard to evaporate, which may cause the nacre to peel off or the pearl to detach from its nucleus.
2. Jewelry components are vulnerable to water damage.
Whether it’s a necklace or a pendant, pearls go through post-harvest processing—such as stringing on thread. Prolonged soaking can weaken the thread, making it brittle. Water can seep through drill holes into the pearl body, shortening its lifespan. For mounted pieces, water can also enter through tiny gaps in the setting, reducing durability.
3. Pearls in nature don’t “soak” in water the way you think.
Even though pearls form inside mollusks in aquatic environments, they’re surrounded by epithelial cells—not directly exposed to water. It’s similar to human skin: our skin needs hydration, but excessive washing can cause moisture loss. The same principle applies to pearls.
Safe cleaning method:
If you need to clean pearls, wipe them gently with a soft cloth—either dry or slightly dampened. Never immerse them in water or rinse under a tap.
4. Pearl quality affects water resistance and luster longevity.
Commercial pearls are typically graded. For example, “strong luster” pearls have thinner nacre than top-grade “Aurora” pearls. Thicker nacre is denser, making it harder for internal moisture and proteins to interact with the environment, which preserves their luster longer.
In short: Don’t wash pearls with water—gentle wiping is the best way
to care for them.
