Pearls are meant to be worn. Wearing them only enhances their beauty. But they can't be worn indefinitely, so they must be regularly put away for safe-keeping as well as for preservation.

Owners of Tahitian and Cook Island cultured pearls must bear in mind that pearls are produced by a living organism. They contain calcareous crystals that are sensitive to chemicals and acids. They also contain water and protein and may dry out and crack if not properly taken care of.

That's why it is recommended that pearls be dampened from time to time in lightly salted water. It is also why they should never be wrapped in cotton or wool because the heat generated would add to the risk of drying out, threatening to turn the pearls brown.

Since pearls are not as hard as precious stones, they should not be stored in direct contact with other pieces of jewellry, which may scratch them. Also to be avoided is contact between the pearls and dishwashing liquid and acidic products, such as hair spray, perfume, vinegar and lemon juice.

Cleaning Your Black Pearls

When the moment comes to put pearls away for the night, owners should make it a habit of rinsing and drying them off. You may even polish them with a soft cloth containing a drop of olive oil so that they maintain their luster and do not dry out.

Cleaning Dont's

What must be kept in mind is that the softness of pearls and their low resistance to heat and chemicals mean that special precautions must be taken when cleaning them. Here are some important guidelines:

• Do not use commercial jewellry cleaners on pearls unless the product label states they are safe for pearls. Many such products contain ammonia, which will cause deterioration.
• Never clean pearls in an ultrasonic cleaner. That can damage the pearls.
• Never steam-clean pearls. Heat can harm them.
• Never use detergents, bleaches, powdered cleansers, baking soda or ammonia-based cleaners on pearls.
• Do not wear pearls when their string is wet. Wet strings stretch and attract dirt, which is hard to remove. Likewise, do not hang pearls to dry.
• Do not use toothbrushes, scouring pads or abravise materials to clean pearls. They can scratch the pearls' surface. If there is a lump of dirt that can't be rubbed off with a soft cloth, trying using a fingernail, which has a hardness of only 2.5 or less.