Pearl rings should be kept for special occasions only, as hands are exposed to many more substances than necks. Handwashing, for example. Soap is no good for pearls, and alcohol-based hand sanitizer is even worse. Take your pearl ring off – carefully – if you have to wash your hands if you are wearing a pearl ring. And you’d probably take care of your pearl bracelet, too. Make sure that your pearl necklace and earrings are protected from the chemicals that do go on your neck – namely moisturizer and perfume. Even home-made lotions and fragrances will do pearls no good. Put your pearls on last as a finishing touch after your moisturizer, makeup and perfume.

But sometimes, pearls will get a little grubby and the natural oils from your skin can build up too much (especially mixed with makeup, skin flakes and everyday grime). This grime will need to be cleaned off. Water is about the only readily available thing that will not damage pearls, so you should rub your pearls with a soft cloth dampened in a little warm water. Technically speaking, salt water can be used to clean salt water pearls, but the problem here is the string that holds the pearls together doesn’t like the salt water. If the grime is visible, you can scrape at it gently with your fingernails, as fingernails are the same hardness as pearl and won’t scratch it. But gently is the operative word.

Pearls should not be steam cleaned. Other natural domestic cleaning London methods and products to avoid include baking soda, milk (too acidic), talcum powder and ultrasonic cleaners. Don’t use a toothbrush, which is perfect for other jewellery, or a scouring pad. Just stick to water and a soft cloth, with the occasional poke from a fingernail. Leave them off or just wear them anyway.

The wonderfully designed pearl brooches are carved by base of a metal with 18k yellow or white gold overlay for smear-free look. They are made from south seashell pearls which are 10x14mm sized. If you want to get a stunning look than this what you need, you will actually fall in love with them and you will merely look amazing. Also, add more elegance to your life with some of the large sized brooches.The simplicity of these pearl brooches is one of there many charms. They are modest while they exude a sense of power and power, and any woman can get a feeling to be confident with this. They speak out for timelessness and elegance unequaled by any gemstone. Both white gold plated or even the yellow gold plated brooches are made available.

The button pearl brooches features a grape shaped cluster that comprises of round shaped pearls, with the leaves set up in CZ diamonds to make it a perfect accessory brooch. This kind looks amazing when nestled with a silk scarf tangled around the neck! A classical pearl brooch is delicate twig of pearls which comes with a choice of four different colors, with a curve of leaves again set in CZ diamonds. This type of brooch is the perfect match to wear with a stand up collar that adds extra touch of color.

The stylish look of the heart shaped brooch will just amaze you with a perfect round pearl surrounded by the white gold. This brooch is just an excellent option as a gift for that special someone in your life! Valentine’s Day, a gift for birthday or may be your anniversary can be celebrated with this special elegant piece. A budding flower shaped pearl brooch that is made with clusters of pearls is a creative way to add up a distinct feminine touch to your suit. Wear it on a dark colored jacket with your heels in a matching color, for a stylish, sassy statement.

Pearl brooches can just be worn with any of the ensemble in any setting. Make sure your collection of accessories have at least one of them.

Pearls are found in eight basic shapes: round, semi-round, button, drop, pear, oval, baroque, and ringed. Perfectly round pearls are the rarest and most expensive, and are generally used in necklaces, or strings of pearls. Semi-rounds are also used in necklaces or in pieces where the shape of the pearl can be disguised to look like it is a perfectly round pearl. Button pearls are like a slightly flattened round pearl and can also make a necklace, but are more often used in single pendants or earrings where the rear half of the pearl is covered, making it look like a larger, round pearl. Drop and pear shaped pearls are sometimes referred to as teardrop pearls and are most often used in earrings, pendants, or as a center pearl in a necklace. Baroque pearls have irregular shapes and this is what makes them unique and interesting. The appeal of baroque pearls lies in the fact that they do not have standard shapes. Generally they are used to make necklaces. Ringed pearls are characterized by concentric ridges, or rings, around the body of the pearl. All varieties of pearls have their own charm and can be put to several imaginative uses while making jewelry.

In fact, natural pearls are much more valuable than cultured pearls because of their rarity. Imitation pearls are the least expensive. To check whether a pearl is natural or cultured we have to perform an X- ray on the pearl. Cultured pearls will show a perfectly rounded core whereas naturals will have an irregular core. This is because when a pearl is to be cultured the farmers insert the grit, (usually a polished piece of mussel shell); it is always perfectly round, so as to produce a more expensive, perfectly round pearl. If the centre is not perfectly round, the jeweler can recognize that it is genuine, and will rate it at a higher value. Jewelers can easily identify imitation pearls. Some imitation pearls are simply made of mother-of-pearl, coral or conch, while others are made from glass and are coated with a solution containing fish scales called essence d’Orient. Imitation pearls may look good initially but they do not have the same weight or smoothness as real pearls, and will lose their luster with the passage of time.

Even though they are of best quality, it`s hard to find natural freshwater pearls these days because of their scarcity. Hence the other alternative is cultured freshwater pearls. Cultured Freshwater Pearls that are easy to produce and easy to find too. Currently cultured freshwater pearl jewelry are the popular fashion statement for their trendy and stylish looks and easy as well as affordable availability in a variety of styles, sizes and colors to dazzle the eye.

Cultured freshwater pearls produced form mussels that live in rivers, ponds, and lakes rather than in the ocean. Cultured freshwater pearl jewelry has unique characteristic of striking arrangement colors. Starting from beautiful, natural pastel white, the cultured freshwater pearl jewelry is also available in milky cream, pink, yellow and orange colors. The variety of colors, shapes, sizes, makes this Cultured freshwater pearl jewelry most fascinating. Women these days prefer to adorn matching pearl jewelry with their dresses. Starting from casual to party wears this modern pearl jewelry go very well with most style of dresses. Because of its easy matching qualities, pearl jewelry is popular attire of women both in boardrooms as well as ball rooms.

Even teenage girls prefer wearing it because of its chic designs and availability in a wide array of colors. The cultured freshwater pearl jewelry is available in different price range. Normally the price of pearl depends upon its size. Bigger the size, higher is the pearl value. But in cultured freshwater pearl jewelry, small size pearls can fetch more value because of its exceptional quality. If diamonds are forever, then pearl jewelry with its lustrous appeal is a timeless fashion statement and will always be in style. Pearl jewelry is one of the best gifts you could give to your loved ones. However while buying pearl jewelry; you should be careful about imitation pearls. Always choose a reputable brand and make sure you double check the pearl quality before buying your pearl jewelry!

Do not clean your pearls using jewelry cleaners made for gold or silver. They contain an ammonia base that is harmful to your pearls. Do not use bleaching agents, baking sodas or powdered cleaners. Some liquid soap can damage pearls. Use only a mild soap and water solution.

Use soft, lint-free cloth to get rid of accumulated dirt, perfume, makeup, body oils or perspiration. Do not use a toothbrush or abrasive cloth to clean your pearls. They can scratch the surface and they can also wear away the pearls’ coating, leaving you with marked and plain-looking beads. For more thorough cleaning, use soft soapy cloth. Then using another damp cloth, gently wipe the pearls to remove all soap residue.

Clean the drill holes where the dirt particularly collects. If your pearls are especially old, you could try washing them with water and very mild liquid soap. Wipe them with detergent-free damp cloth and leave them flat on a kitchen paper to dry. Once dry, coat them with olive oil to try and restore their sheen.

After the olive oil treatment, lay the pearls on wash cloths or a moist kitchen towel to dry. Do not hang your pearls. When the wash cloth becomes dry, the pearls will usually be dry as well.

However you clean your pearls and whatever cleaning agent you use, you should remember to be very careful as you may be doing your pearls more harm than good.

If your pearls have not been properly maintained and they are now full of dirt and grime, you should bring your pearls to a trustworthy jeweler or a professional jewelry cleaner for professional care.