Jewelry & Accessories

We girls will never get tired of jewelry, it’s already in our nature. We find a lot of variety out there — from shiny crystals, precious diamonds to elegant pearls. My mom is one loyal pearl fan and I love looking at her collection. She practically treats them like her babies! If you happen to be a pearl lover, I have some interesting tips for you on how to keep them nice and long-lasting.

The beauty of Pearls.
Pearls stand out among the classic gems as symbols of elegance, love, and purity. While they are some of the few precious stones that can actually be made and are actually not stones at all, one of the things that makes them so valuable is that they require a great deal of care. Failure to properly care for your pearls can result in their being irreparably ruined. In fact, the more expensive a pearl set is, the more delicate it will be.

1. Velvet Storage
The first key is to make sure that you keep the pearls in velvet and away from objects that can scratch them. This means that you have to be careful when placing it in the bag as well since the clasp can scratch. The ideal storage container is a velvet gem bag or pouch. Wrap them first in a piece of velvet or soft cloth, and then place inside the pouch. Never toss them into a jewelry box or just drop them in a bag.

2. Keep It Airtight
After you put the pearls into their velvet bag, place them in an airtight container. This will prevent the oxygen from eroding their exteriors. When looking at purchasing pearls, you will want to make sure that they keep them in airtight containers for most of the time. Otherwise, the pearls will be damaged. This is true if you are opting for jewelry rental as well. You certainly don’t want to return your rented jewelry all broken.

3. Put Your Pearls on Last
When you’re getting all dressed up for an elegant night on the town, you may assume that the order you put on your jewelry, make-up, and other accessories makes little difference. When wearing pearls though, this is not a good idea. They should always be put on last. White and pink pearls, in particular, are sensitive to make-up products and hairspray. They are easily tarnished and stained, and there is nothing that can remove the discoloration. Additionally, the components of most hairsprays and perfumes will eat holes into the pearls and may even dissolve them.

4. Wear Them to the Appropriate Occasion
Like the little black dress, a string of pearls is a fashion staple for the fashionable lady about town. However, just as you wouldn’t wear your little black dress to a luau, it’s important that you wear your pearls on appropriate occasions only. It is never a good idea to swim in pearls. The chlorine in pool water and the extreme temperature of Jacuzzis will results in their becoming dissolved or disfigured. Additionally, you should avoid wearing them to occasions where you will be sweating a lot. This is probably the most disappointing rule as it means that you can’t wear your pearls out for a night of swing dancing. The waltz, on the other hand, is far more appropriate for pearls.

5. Clean Regularly
You can purchase pearl cleaners, and you should make sure to clean them regularly. This will help them keep their natural shine and prevent any corrosive build up. Just make sure that you only use a professional pearl cleanser though as regular cleansers will result in damage to your pearls.

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