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Pearl Care
Pearls respond well to being worn. Natural body oils make them "mellow" and brings out an inner luminescence. Pearls do not, however, take well to chemicals such as perfume, hair spray, cosmetics and perspiration. Clean pearls with a soft cloth and keep them in a dark place between wearings. Very dry, very hot conditions will dehydrate a pearl over time, causing it to turn dark and even crack or shatter. Keep pearls away from household cleansers, too, as these chemicals will destroy pearls.
Your pearls will stay cleaner if you put them on after you've applied your makeup and perfume.
Be sure to take off your pearl rings before you apply hand and body creams.
Wipe your pearls with a soft, lint-free cloth as soon as you take them off.
The cloth can be dampened with water or it can be dry. If damp, allow the pearls to air dry before putting them away.
Dirty pearls can be cleaned with a mild soap and water solution (try Ivory flakes).
Never clean your pearls with solutions that contain ammonia or harsh detergents.
Don't put pearl jewelry in an ultrasonic cleaner.
Don't use abrasive cleaners or rub pearls with abrasive cloth. Both can wear away the nacre coating, leaving you with a plain looking bead.
Storing Pearls
Don't store your pearls with other jewelry, because they can be scratched easily when metal or gemstones rub against them. Find a special slot in your jewelry box for the pearls, or keep them in a soft bag made from chamois or another non-abrasive material.
Your fine pearl necklaces should be restrung periodically so that you're sure the silk or nylon cord holding them is in good shape.
reference: http://jewelry.about.com
