Since ancient times, every beauty dreamed of getting pearl jewelry into her collection. And to this day they are valued along with high-end jewelry. It is a waste product of marine and freshwater molluscs. It originates in their shells at the moment when a foreign body gets there and begins to be enveloped in mother-of-pearl. It can be a fine grain of sand, a piece of shell or a piece of stone.
In jewelry, blisters are also valued. These are irregularly shaped pearls that form at the edge of the shell and merge with the mother-of-pearl.
Such jewelry is very susceptible to many external factors, so you need to know how to properly care for them, how to clean pearls at home, how to store them, etc. More on this later in the article.
Jewelry characteristics
It is worth mentioning the variety of colors that range from white to black. ATnature found pink, blue, green, bronze, golden. These are especially valued among the precious varieties. The shade depends on the type of mollusk and its habitat. The noblest and most valuable species are gray and pink.
Among jewelry lovers, pearls are especially fond of, shaped like animals or the outlines of some objects. They are called paragons. Since ancient times, it was believed that they bring good luck and protect the owner from trouble. Usually, jewelers create a gold frame and decorate it with additional precious stones.
Large pearls, like diamonds, emeralds and rubies, are included in the register of currency values of states.
Production
Basically, pearls used in jewelry are grown under human control. A foreign body is “inhabited” in the shell of a mollusk - and the pearl matures from one and a half to three years. This method was first used in China. These stones are identical in composition to natural ones.
Faux pearl fashion
Fake pearls came into fashion thanks to Coco Chanel. Such decorations look quite natural, but are many times cheaper and do not require three years of cultivation.
If you doubt whether the stone in front of you is natural, a fairly simple experiment will help. Swipe the pearl across the surface of the tooth - the natural stone should creak.
Such jewelry is still in fashion and is considered a symbol of elegance. By the way, not so long ago, the status of a lady was determined by how many strings of pearlson her.
How to wear a pearl necklace
This question causes heated discussions among stylists and designers, there is no consensus. But some recommendations are still worth taking into account:
- A classic off-the-shoulder dress with a cutout is perfectly complemented by pearl strands no longer than 40 centimeters.
- A universal option that will perfectly complement not only an office outfit, but also a luxurious dress - one strand of large stones about 45 centimeters long.
- Long necklaces are usually worn in two turns or tied in a knot.
How to keep it in perfect condition?
Let's dwell on how to properly care for pearls at home. This is a precious stone that is of organic origin, so it needs more care and is subject to maximum external influences. Protect jewelry from excessive moisture and increased dryness of the air. Tobacco smoke and cosmetic products are detrimental to them. Try not to spray perfume, hairspray or other sprays while the pearls are on you. First apply all cosmetic products, then after ten minutes you can safely put on jewelry.
Caring for natural pearls should be especially careful. Since ancient times, beauties believed that this stone should not be locked in a box for a long time, as it would get bored and die. That is why the first rule of preserving the beauty of pearls is: wear it more often and do not forget about its existence. It is quite simple to execute this, because this is the most versatile decoration. A classic string of pearls will enhance your look for any occasion, whether it's going to work or a wedding.
Rules of storage and wearing
It is important to learn how to properly care for pearls. Store jewelry in a separate box, which should be made of soft fabric inside. Such precautions are necessary so that products of low hardness do not scratch on the walls of the box. Open jewelry stands are also better to move away, bright sunlight is undesirable.
Careful attitude is important for perfect condition. Remember to remove jewelry before washing your hands or taking a shower. Excess moisture can ruin pearls. Do not clean it with soda or s alt, abrasive materials may damage the surface. It is best to use a soft cloth to remove dirt. In no case do not use ammonia or vinegar for cleaning, pearls dissolve in them and cannot be restored. It is best to bathe him in a soapy or saline solution. Most importantly, wipe dry afterwards.
The ideal option is special care products. They will help restore shine and beauty in the shortest possible time, jewelry will remain safe and sound. Freshwater pearls also need to be carefully looked after. It is important to change the thread on which the beads "live" at least once every two to three years. If you are the lucky owner of a long necklace, then after changing the thread, after each bead, you must definitely tie a knot to prevent them from rubbing against each other.friend. And if the thread breaks, then, thanks to the knots, they will not be lost.
Negative impact
In order not to have to restore worn-out mother-of-pearl items, it is enough to follow a few simple rules. Avoid:
- Too bright sunlight and artificial lighting.
- High temperatures.
- High humidity.
- Even the smallest house dust can damage the decoration.
How to care for pearls in gold?
Proper care involves not only taking care of the stone. Frames are no exception either. Gold is perfectly cleaned in a mild soapy solution with a drop of ammonia. But such recipes absolutely do not work when it comes to pearls. After all, ammonia is an aggressive substance that can destroy a delicate surface.
For such decorations, it is best to use baby soap, if there is no special product at hand. It does not contain aggressive compounds, it will not harm the stone. A small amount of soap should be dissolved in warm water, lathered, and then treated with each pearl, then wiped thoroughly with a soft cloth.
Dry the jewelry only horizontally on a dry cloth. If this is done in a vertical position, the thread may stretch, and it will have to be changed urgently, as the bracelet or necklace will lose its shape and look ugly.
Natural shine and gold, and pearls will help bring back the familiar olive oil. Put a couple of drops on a tissue and rubsurface. It is important to dry each bead after the procedure so that there is no greasy film left on them.
So, the answer to the question of how to care for pearls has been received.
How to care for a stone in silver?
This metal is exposed to outside influences far more than any other. It should be handled with the same care as pearls.
Never immerse the jewelry entirely in the cleaning solution, it is better to use a soft cloth. It is good to use a solution of tooth powder or paste in this case. To do this, they should be diluted in water at room temperature until homogeneous. It is impossible to rub silver with pearls, it is best to moisten a napkin in the prepared solution and gently wipe the jewelry, then treat it with ordinary clean water (also without wetting it, but with a napkin) and wipe it dry (do not rub, but blot, only lightly touching).
Another good option is potato starch, which can be used to lightly wipe the products and then remove the residue with a soft cloth.
Pearl jewelry is the basis of elegance and sophistication. However, they require special care and some simple rules.
