Oh what a can of worms… I was a textile dyer for many years so I could info-dump on the chemistry involved in dyeing protein fibers like wool and silk… but I will spare you all a full nerd-out until I know whether it’s applicable to our particular focus. Makes me wonder if those same processes would work on pearls, and also makes me wonder what is used by factories and big-name producers. I will say one thing: beware the difference between dyeing and staining. I’m sure there are all sorts of things that can stain pearls, but I suspect it’s tougher to truly dye them. Dyeing means the color is chemically bonded to the material, and will remain even when washed. (The bleeding you might think of when washing new jeans is from excess unbonded dye.) Staining is when the color is clinging to the material but not bonded through a chemical reaction- think of the stain used on wood, which will soak in and dry, but must be covered with varnish so it doesn’t rub off of get re-dissolved and bleed. With pearls I’d be careful to fully neutralize the dye bath afterward, and to test carefully to make sure the color does not come off with water, sweat, or the solvents found in cosmetics (alcohols, oils, etc). Even common household dyes like RIT can have ingredients that are not at all healthy to have on one’s skin.
