How to Clean Cultured Pearl Necklaces

A beautiful cultured pearl necklace should be a part of every woman's wardrobe. They are timeless in their beauty and appeal and go with everything from jeans to evening attire. Whether you own a new strand of cultured pearls or an heirloom that has been passed down through the family, it is important to know how to keep your pearls looking their best. Never use jewelry cleaning solutions or other harsh chemicals on cultured pearls. I'll share with you a jeweler's secret to keeping cultured pearls clean and lustrous through the years.

Instructions

1

Lay out the towel on the counter next to your sink.

2

Open the cultured pearl necklace clasp and lay the necklace out flat on the towel.

3

Place a dollop of toothpaste, about the size of a quarter, in the dish. Add an equal amount of water and mix with the toothbrush until it is well blended and there are no more clumps. Toothpaste is formulated to clean the enamel of teeth, which is very similar to the nacre coating on a pearl.

4

Holding the cultured pearl necklace with one hand, gently brush the pearls with the toothbrush. Roll the pearls over to get all sides and re-wet your toothbrush with the toothpaste solution before it gets dry.

5

Clean the whole length of the cultured pearl strand and rinse in clean water when done.

6

Lay the necklace out on a clean part of the towel to air dry.

7

Clean your pearls no more than about once a year.