I cannot resist fondling my pearl necklaces while I wear them. I know you are not supposed to, but have this probably crackpot theory that maybe this only applies to akoyas (or other pearls with a thin nacre). If you wear a necklace, say, once a week or every two to three weeks, is it REALLY so bad? Is there actually a risk of wearing off the shine? Would appreciate practical advice and, if the advice is "don't play with your pearls ever" then how to break the habit?
I think if playing with them is part of the joy of wearing pearls for you, then don’t stop!
I do find myself a lot more tempted to do that with longer strands!
I wear pearls almost everyday, and often the same necklace. It doesn’t really make a huge difference, but I do often wipe them even during the day if it’s very hot out etc. I always wipe them at the end of the day, never sleep with them, never wear other jewellery that can rub against it, never shower with them etc.
I did once fall asleep with a pearl stud and had regrets the next day as it ended up scratched from my diamond hoop…
Leaving them exposed to sunlight for prolonged periods like on a table by a window, they would go yellow and dehydrate eventually.
Smoking with them is also bad for pearls in general, but I guess that’s a given.
I actually find that my bracelets have the most “wear”, so I don’t wear bracelets near as much as the rest.
Rings also need a level of constant awareness because even the zip of a bag or something like that could easily put a scratch on it.
