How bad is it really to fondle your pearls?

[MintyFresh]

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?

 

[ennui]

I think the risks are germs, dirt and oils. You'd be surprised how dirty hands really are. I'd wipe your pearls down after taking them off; I don't think you need to worry about nacre wearing off.

 

[TECS1990]

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.

 

[Pearl Dreams]

I also tend to play with long necklaces. Just do it with clean hands when possible, and wipe the pearls with a soft microfiber cloth before you put them away. Now and then dampen the cloth.

 

[MintyFresh]

I am going to take all this excellent advice from PearlDreams, TECS 1990 and ennui . . . and continue to play with my pearls when I wear them. Thanks!

 

[Amoreperla]

I often stare at my pearls and turn them im my hands to look at the interplay from the nacre. So long as you wash youre hands and wipe the pearls down after it should be fine.

 

[MintyFresh]

I often stare at my pearls and turn them im my hands to look at the interplay from the nacre. So long as you wash youre hands and wipe the pearls down after it should be fine.

Me too, Amoreperla! When it comes to pearls, I feel like a dragon jealously guarding my (very small) pile of treasure. I did not feel this way in prior affairs with jade and turquoise. It must be true love, lol.

 

[Lagoon Island Pearls]

In nature and biology, the structures of pearls are designed to annex hard and soft tissues.

It's often said wearing pearls helps maintain their surface quality by reintroducing oils from lipid and subaceous cells. Used sparingly and wiped clean, mineral oil is acceptable as a pearl treatment, post harvest. Aragonite will revert to calcite in the environment over time, even if pearls are not worn and kept in a low humidity setting. It can be presumed occasional wearing may reduce the rate of reversion.

So long as your hands are clean, absent of gritty substances and the action is not obsessive to a single location, you may enjoy the feeling as much as the look.

 

[ennui]

Me too, Amoreperla! When it comes to pearls, I feel like a dragon jealously guarding my (very small) pile of treasure. I did not feel this way in prior affairs with jade and turquoise. It must be true love, lol.

I love turquoise, too. Natural turquoise is porous, so excessive fondling would be discouraged.

 

[Amoreperla]

Me too, Amoreperla! When it comes to pearls, I feel like a dragon jealously guarding my (very small) pile of treasure. I did not feel this way in prior affairs with jade and turquoise. It must be true love, lol.

! I know the feeling! It that line of enjoyment of the items you love, and not wanting to damage them. Pearls are very tactile compared to gems, at least to me.

 

[BWeaves]

I play with my pearls ALL THE TIME. They feel so good. Aren't pearls supposed to get MORE beautiful when you wear them next to your skin? I have yet to wear them out by fondling them. I always keep my hands clean when I touch them, and wipe them off with a soft cloth when I take them off. They get a wash and a restring if they look grimy.