How to Clean Yellowed Cultured Pearls

Clean cultured pearls with mild products to avoid damage.

Cultured pearls are produced when a small foreign object such as a bead is inserted into a mollusk's shell. The mollusk secretes nacre, a hard, iridescent substance that builds up around the object to prevent irritation. After several years, the layers of nacre create a pearl. Time and wear can cause cultured pearls to turn yellow and dingy. Cultured pearls are quite delicate and require special care and cleaning methods to avoid damage.

Things You'll Need

• Bowl
• Mild dish or hand soap
• Small brush
• Two soft cloths

Instructions

1. Fill a bowl with warm water and mix in one or two teaspoons of mild dish or hand soap.

2. Dip a small brush such as a paint brush or makeup brush into the soapy water. Wipe each pearl with the brush to remove any dirt or debris.

3. Dampen a soft cloth with a small amount of water and wipe the cultured pearls to remove any soap residue.

4. Lay the cultured pearls on a soft cloth or towel to dry.

Tips & Warnings

• Never soak cultured pearls in liquid as this can cause them to become soft.

References

• Diamonds.com: Care- Cultured Pearls
• Good Housekeeping: Speed Clean Your Jewelry