Ruined Pearls

[A Breaker]

I only need a few of pearls, but I have tried washing them with handsoap and the water got white. The middles are fine & scratching with a fingernail takes it off, but washing it seems to bring it back. Are they ruined, if not any ideas what it could be?

 

[Pearl Dreams]

I'm thinking the pearls were over-processed at the factory and thus damaged. I'd say they are ruined. Or they may have been exposed to other chemicals that damaged them, if they are not new.

 

[Shani]

I only need a few of pearls, but I have tried washing them with handsoap and the water got white. The middles are fine & scratching with a fingernail takes it off, but washing it seems to bring it back. Are they ruined, if not any ideas what it could be?View attachment 473816

I would say they are ruined. It looks like someone beat the bejesus out of them. They obviously got exposed to something they didn't like. Sorry.

 

[Lagoon Island Pearls]

This strand presents with extensive damage. Some cracking and peeling is visible, but the most affected areas radiate broadly around the holes. Reverted calcite occupies the space between the nucleus and pearl nacre. Reversion is sped up by heat, sunlight or moisture... especially chemical.

Note the condition of the string vs the cracks. The cracks are dirty. The string isn't. There's space between the knots.

My guess, the string was dirty and owner thought bleach or peroxide might clean that up, only to find out they ruined the strand.

Good for restringing practice, perhaps. Maybe a mineral oil bath could breath life into some for re-purposing, but they've lost their gem quality, sorry to say.

 

[Christine.]

Salve! cosa è un bagno di olio minerale che si effettua sulle perle? Grazie mille

 

[Pearl Dreams]

Salve! cosa è un bagno di olio minerale che si effettua sulle perle? Grazie mille

Translation:
Hi! What is a mineral oil bath that you do on pearls? Thank you very much.

Credo che il suggerimento sia quello di immergere le perle in olio minerale nella speranza che possa in qualche modo aiutare. L'olio non riparerà la madreperla, ma forse potrebbe migliorarne un po' l'aspetto? Tentare non nuoce; l'olio non può peggiorare l'aspetto delle perle (mi dispiace). Non ho mai provato a oliare le perle.

I believe the suggestion is to soak the pearls in mineral oil in the hope that the oil may help in some way. Oil will not repair the nacre, but perhaps it may improve the appearance somewhat? There is no harm in trying; oil can't make them look worse than they are now (sorry). I have never tried oiling pearls.

 

[Christine.]

Grazie. Sei stata gentile a spiegarmi di cosa si tratta io non conoscev questo metodo.