How to Clean Pearls: Expert Guide for Lasting Shine 2026

Pearls are one of nature's most exquisite creations. But they are made by living beings, which makes them very fragile. The most precious pearl owners are the ones who have doubts about whether it is safe to clean pearls. They are indeed wise to be cautious. Incorrect cleaning techniques can damage pearls beyond repair.

Introducing myself - I am Alya Liu, the one who laid the foundation of Alya Pearls. I am also a GIA & GUILD Certified Pearl Specialist. My career includes more than 20 years of practice and training which are related to pearls. My family has harvested pearls for 60 years, and I am proud to say that I grew up in that environment. This guide is based on our knowledge of pearls, which we learned from the farm to the finished jewelry. It includes directions for both cleaning a pearl necklace easily and advanced methods to restore the former beauty and depth shine of the pearls.

The Most Important Points to Keep in Mind

• Wipe After Each Use: Use a soft, dry cloth to wipe your pearls after you wear them. This helps to remove the oil and dirt.
• Be Gentle: Use only warm water and a tiny drop of mild soap on a barely wet cloth. Never soak your pearls.
• Always Dry Flat: Place your pearl necklaces flat on a towel and leave them for a minimum of 24 hours to dry. This way, you will protect the silk thread.
• Skip Harsh Cleansers: Ultrasonic cleaners, steam, ammonia, bleach, or rough cleaning materials should never be used.
• Advanced Polishing: Dull-looking pearls can be rejuvenated by polishing them gently using beeswax and honey wax.

The Basic Rules of Pearl Care

First of all, you should learn what you should do and what you shouldn't do before you start cleaning the pearls. We have been in the service of over 10,000 clients for 20+ years now. Therefore, we have seen for ourselves how simple habits can help pearls remain beautiful for ages. There are some common mistakes you should avoid when caring for pearls.

The Alya Pearls Method: Cleaning Your Pearls with Safety

We are professionals in the field of pearls. We have developed a simple yet effective way to clean the pearls at home. This method is gentle enough for all types of pearls including the most delicate ones. This includes prized Akoya, South Sea, and Freshwater types. You can ascend the beauty of your pearls without any risk.

Equipment You Need

• Two soft and clean lint-free cloths (microfiber cloths work the best)
• A small container
• Warm water
• A few drops of a mild soap of no fragrance

Process for All Pearl Jewelry Cleaning

1. Preparation: In the container, add just a little mild soap to the warm water. The water should feel slippery but it should be clear of bubbles.
2. Wiping: In the solution, one cloth is wet. Squeeze it out completely until it is just barely damp. Use it to wipe each pearl one by one. If you are cleaning a pearl necklace, support it by holding the strand. This will prevent the cord from stretching.
3. Rinsing: Take the second cloth and wet it with plain warm water. Squeeze it out and wipe each pearl again to remove any soap film.
4. Drying: Laying the jewelry on the clean, dry towel will avoid the silk thread from stretching or holding any water. Water can make the thread fragile and lead to breakage. Let the pearls air dry completely for at least 24 hours before you wear or store them.

Gentle, soap, and water cleaning is recommended for maintaining your pearls at home. Indeed, this is a method to ensure that your pearls remain safe. Therefore, by taking these steps, you will be following the best practices for the regular care of your pearls.

Making Them Gleam: An Advanced Method of Polishing

Even when you have taken care of everything else, a pearl still has the potential to get a little unsightly due to the small scratches it has developed on its surface. In the case of pools of chemicals or deep scratches, nothing can be done to fix the damage, but enhancing the look of minor dullness can be achieved often with the help of one special method.

Our family has been associated with the pearl business for the length of three lifetimes. We have learned special tricks on how to preserve the "life" of a pearl since then. One such effective method is used at our workshop for light polishing.

The Method of Beeswax and Honey Wax Polishing

Caution: This is a special one for those pearls which have lost quite a bit of shine. It is not made for general cleaning. We encourage you to be extra cautious. If you have any doubts, do it on a pearl that is not visible first.

1. Make the Mixture: Warm and mix a tiny amount of pure, natural beeswax with an equal amount of honey wax. Your goal is to create a very soft paste. It should not be sticky and feel smooth.
2. Apply: Using a clean, soft cloth like a silver polishing cloth, pick up a very small amount of the wax mixture. You need very little.
3. Polishing: Make very gentle, circular motions, and lightly buff the surface of each pearl without pressure. You are not scrubbing the pearl. If there are any tiny flaws on its surface, you are filling them in.
4. How It Works: This method helps fix the smooth layers of the pearl's surface, called nacre. By making a smoother surface, it improves how light bounces off it. This makes the pearl's shine and glow better.
5. Final Wipe: After polishing, take a separate, clean, and dry microfiber cloth. Gently buff away any extra wax to show an improved shine. This is a delicate part of how to clean pearls to bring back their glow.

Beyond Cleaning: The Long-Term Pearl Care

Along with cleanliness, pearl necklace care also covers other important areas. How you handle and store your jewelry is equally significant in its durability.

Why Proper Storage is Key

Pearls need to be "breathable." They should not be stored in airtight plastic bags. This will dry them and make them crack. So instead, always store them in a silk or velvet pouch. Storing them separately is also a good idea as harmful jewelry could potentially damage their surfaces. Our approach is one where you learn that care continues even after you take your jewelry home.

Know When to Restring

If you are wearing your pearl necklace often, we recommend that you should have it restrung professionally every one to three years. Some of the signs that your necklace needs restrung include silk thread that is frayed or discolored and visible gaps between the pearls. This procedure will help to avoid the unanticipated breaking of the pearl necklace and the subsequent loss thereof.

The Beauty of Well-Cared-For Pearls

An everlasting piece in your jewelry collection is an investment of beauty that you can carry on to your next generation. The quality of the pearl becomes timeless once the correct maintenance is given. Our Pearl Necklaces Collection includes various models of Freshwater, Baroque, and Choker types. They are all designed to be cherished pieces of the family. These items are built to endure the test of time. With the proper care outlined in this guide, their beauty will not fade.

In 2026 we are delighted to provide our community with special offers. For a limited time, you can get 20% off using code LOVE20. We also give you a pair of pearl stud earrings for free with purchases of over $99. Orders over $300 get an additional $15 off. Every order also supports our mission since we will donate a pair of pearl studs to a girl in need.

Frequently Asked Questions about Cleaning Pearls

Here are answers to some of the most common questions we get from our 400K+ Instagram followers and over 200 custom order clients.

1. Can yellowed pearls be made white again?

Sorry, but mostly the serious yellowing caused by age or chemicals is irreversible. This is mainly because it affects the structural aspect of the pearl. The primary way to deal with this is preventive measures. Our simple cleaning method can wipe out the surface dirt that leads to discoloration, but it can not bring out the retracted yellowing.

2. How often should I clean my pearl necklace?

It is recommended to wipe it with a dry soft cloth after each time you wear it. A deeper, gentle cleaning with mild soap and water should only be done when the pearls look visibly dirty or a few times a year. Over-cleaning can be just as harmful as neglect.

3. Is it safe to clean vintage or inherited pearls?

Absolutely! The gentle cleaning method we mentioned earlier is safe for any age of pearls. However, be careful with older pieces. Check the string and any metal settings for signs of fragility. If you are unsure, it's always best to consult a professional jeweler rather than attempting to clean them yourself.

4. What's the best way to clean the metal clasp?

For the metal clasp, use a metal polishing cloth. Be sure to keep the cloth away from the pearls. These cloths use very small abrasives that work well for metal, but will scratch the nacre of a pearl. Don't dip the full jewelry piece into a silver or gold cleaning solution.

5. Can I use olive oil to make my pearls shine?

This is a very common myth. We do not recommend it. Oil can accumulate dust and dirt. It forms a film that is ultimately hard to remove. Therefore, it can also enter and degrade the silk thread of a pearl necklace. A pearl's shine comes from within and not from an external layer. The gentle wax polishing method is much safer and professional.

Our Commitment to the Beauty that Lasts

Mastering the art of pearl cleaning is the only way to ensure their long-lasting beauty. The basics are simple: gentle cleaning is crucial, correct storage is a must, and dull shine at times can be restored by expert care. During the entire life of a pearl, it enjoys the best care, which is our belief anchored in the family's decades of experience. Your pearls are indeed gifts from nature. By using this expert knowledge, you can make them beautiful for a life time.