PRESERVING PEARLS

Early Japanese legends describe the formation of pearls as the tears of a soul in heaven, falling into the sea and being coated with moonrays on their way to earth. A cultured pearl is, in fact, a gem produced in an oyster in seawater. The process is initiated with the insertion of a small shell nucleus into the oyster with a piece of nacre-secreting epithelial tissue. The oyster secretes thousands of thin layers of nacre over a period of years. (The more evenly applied and the thinner the texture of these layers, the higher the quality of the resulting pearl). The value of pearls depends on their rarity, which is affected by its size, shape and surface.

Pearls are sensitive jewels which can be scratched by careless handling and should be kept separate to other jewellery. Nacre is a natural substance which can be damaged (or dissolved) by contact with certain chemicals e.g. Perfume, hairspray. If pearls accidentally come into contact with chemicals which cause damage, immerse in water immediately and have them restrung as soon as possible. Every few months they can be laid on a damp (not wet) cloth and gently rolled until their surfaces are wiped clean. Bring your strand of pearls to us at Jose Jewellers, where we will have them professionally restrung for you, because with proper care, your pearls are sure to give you many years of pleasure.