Care

Caring For Your Pearl Jewellery

I believe jewellery is meant to be worn every day. Pearls are not meant to stay hidden away. They are meant to collect memories. My pieces are designed to be lived in, stacked, and cherished. A little care goes a long way in keeping them beautiful for years to come.

RESTRINGING & REPAIRS

At some point, your hand-knotted bracelets will need to be restrung. I will supply the pearl silk and labour free of charge for the lifetime of the piece, as long as the bracelet was purchased from The Pearl Bench.

You're responsible for:

  • Shipping both ways
  • Replacement of any missing parts (charms, beads, clasps, etc.)
  • Any repairs beyond normal wear and tear (e.g., damage from chemicals, water, or improper care)

What "normal wear and tear" means: Pearl silk naturally weakens over time with regular wear. I'll restring your bracelet free of charge if the thread breaks or stretches due to normal use. However, if the bracelet is damaged due to improper care (exposure to water, chemicals, perfume, etc.) or physical damage (crushed, pulled apart, etc.), repair costs may apply.

Why I offer this: Hand-knotted pearl jewellery is meant to last for generations, but the thread will eventually wear. I want your pieces to be heirloom-quality, so I'll restring them for you-no charge for labour or pearl silk, ever.

 Please contact me at hello@thepearlbench.com for further instructions.

 

EVERYDAY CARE

Pearls: Pearls are organic gems that warm to your skin and develop character over time. Their natural variations are part of what makes each piece unique. They're surprisingly durable, but they do need a little love.

  •  Wear them often. Wearing pearls allows them to maintain their natural lustre and become part of your everyday life.
  • Put them on last. After your makeup, perfume, hairspray, and lotion. Pearls are sensitive to chemicals and acids, so let everything else dry first.
  •  Wipe them down after wearing. Use a soft, damp cloth to gently remove any oils, sweat, or residue. This keeps them glowing.
  •  Don't wear them in water. Remove your pearl jewellery before swimming, showering, or doing dishes. Water weakens the thread over time and can damage the pearls.
  •  Avoid harsh chemicals. Perfume, hairspray, lotions, and cleaning products can dull the lustre of pearls. Put your jewellery on last, take it off first.

Sterling Silver: Sterling silver develops a beautiful patina over time—a mark of being worn and loved. Some people prefer the aged look; others like to keep it bright and polished. Both are beautiful.

  •  Wear it often. The natural oils in your skin actually help prevent tarnish. The more you wear your silver, the better it looks.
  •  Store it properly. Keep your silver jewellery in a cool, dry place (like the muslin bag it came in). Air and moisture cause tarnish, so storing it in an airtight bag or container helps slow the process.
  •  Don't wear it in water. Remove your silver jewellery before swimming, showering, or exercising. Chlorine, salt water, and sweat can accelerate tarnish.
  •  Avoid harsh chemicals. Remove your jewellery before cleaning, gardening, or using beauty products.

CLEANING YOUR JEWELLERY

For Pearls:

  • Use a soft, damp cloth to gently wipe down your pearls after each wear.
  • If they need a deeper clean, use lukewarm water and a tiny drop of mild soap (like baby shampoo or dish soap). Gently wipe each pearl, then rinse with clean water and pat dry with a soft cloth.
  • Never soak pearl jewellery. Water can weaken the thread and damage the pearls.
  • Never use ultrasonic cleaners, steam cleaners, or harsh chemicals. Pearls are delicate and can be damaged by aggressive cleaning methods.

For Sterling Silver:

  • Use the jewellery polishing cloth included in your purchase to gently buff away tarnish. This is the easiest, safest method. Do not use silver dip on pearl jewellery.

If you have any concerns, worries, or questions about how to clean your jewellery, send me a message at hello@thepearlbench.com and we can have a chat.

 

STORING YOUR JEWELLERY

Pearls:

  • Store your pearls flat (not hanging) in a soft pouch or lined jewellery box. Hanging them can stretch the thread over time.
  • Keep them away from other jewellery to avoid scratches. Pearls are softer than most gemstones and metals, so they can be scratched by harder materials.
  • Never store pearls in airtight containers or plastic bags for long periods. Pearls need a little moisture to stay lustrous. If they dry out, they can crack.

Sterling Silver:

  • Store your silver in a cool, dry place, ideally in the muslin bag it came in or an airtight container with an anti-tarnish strip.
  • Keep silver away from moisture and air to slow tarnish.
  • If you're storing multiple pieces, keep them separated (in individual pouches or compartments) to avoid scratches.

WHEN TO REMOVE YOUR JEWELLERY

I design my pieces to be worn every day, but there are a few times when you should take them off:

 Before swimming (chlorine and salt water damage pearls and accelerate silver tarnish)
Before showering or bathing (water weakens thread and can damage pearls)
 Before exercising (sweat accelerates tarnish and can weaken thread)
 Before applying lotions, perfumes, or hairspray (chemicals dull pearls and tarnish silver)
Before cleaning, gardening, or doing dishes (harsh chemicals and abrasives can damage your jewellery)
 Before bed (gives your jewellery a rest and prevents tangling or breakage)

The rule of thumb: Put your jewellery on last, take it off first.

 

A NOTE ON PATINA & CHARACTER

Sterling silver naturally tarnishes over time. Some people love the aged, vintage look; others prefer bright, polished silver. Both are beautiful.

If you like the patina, leave it. If you prefer it polished, use the jewellery cloth included with your purchase to bring back the shine. There's no right or wrong, it's your jewellery, and it should look the way you want it to.

Pearls are natural. They are not manufactured to look identical, and that is part of their beauty. Slight variations in colour, shape, and surface are reminders that each pearl was formed individually. Pearls also develop character over time. They may develop tiny surface marks, slight colour shifts, or a deeper lustre. This is normal and part of what makes pearls so special. No two pearls are ever the same, and they only get more beautiful with age.

 

QUESTIONS?

If you have any concerns, worries, or questions about how to care for your jewellery, send me a message at hello@thepearlbench.com and we can have a chat.

I'm here to help your pieces last for years, and even generations.