Pearls and Cosmetics

[veronicar82]

Hello everyone!

I wanted to ask a question that has bothered me for some time. I know you are to keep pearls away from cosmetics as much as possible, but I find it impossible to truly keep them 100% away. My biggest concern is for pearl necklaces- I put moisturizer on my neck/chest every morning and while I do give it time to absorb before putting my pearls on, the pearls still do come in contact with some amount of moisturizer residue left on the skin. My question is- are all cosmetics bad for pearls or just some?

 

[treasurefixation]

Good question! I think it would depend on the ingredients in your moisturizer, since I know I’ve seen the advice on this forum that you can rub your pearls with a small amount of mineral oil. But regardless I would do your best to avoid getting anything on your pearls, and making sure you wipe them down after each wear to remove any residue. You could also consider getting some everyday freshwater pearls and keeping your nicer strands for more occasional use. Freshwater pearls are very affordable, come in lots of shapes and colors and are often solid nacre which means they will last a long time. Hope this helps!

 

[MotherOfPearlTrumpet]

Hello everyone!

I wanted to ask a question that has bothered me for some time. I know you are to keep pearls away from cosmetics as much as possible, but I find it impossible to truly keep them 100% away. My biggest concern is for pearl necklaces- I put moisturizer on my neck/chest every morning and while I do give it time to absorb before putting my pearls on, the pearls still do come in contact with some amount of moisturizer residue left on the skin. My question is- are all cosmetics bad for pearls or just some?

Pearls are for wearing, no matter what their value. I wear my cheaper pearls AND my expensive pearls equally. After all, what are you saving them for? I agree with @treasurefixation and you:
However, be sure to let your moisturizer sink in as much as possible, and then consider wiping your neck with a microfiber or dry washcloth before putting on your pearls. When taking them off at the end of the day, ALWAYS wipe down your pearls (gently so as not to pull the knots too much) to clean your pearls before putting them away each evening. Consider how much you will SWEAT...some people on this thread have posted that they wear single pearls on gold/metal necklaces or leather during the hotter months. I tend to wear full strands when I will be in air conditioned environments and pendants with chains when I know I'll be exposed to hotter temps. I have, in the past, taken off my pearls when I find the temps are getting too hot. I keep a pouch in my purse for this reason. It is the salt in your sweat that can dull and even damage pearls. Just use good judgement.

When the pearls start looking dull or the threads/silk are stretched, you can have them restrung. I string my own pearls and always clean the strand before restringing.

Most of all, ENJOY WEARING THEM! If you're like me, people will look at your pearls every day to see what you're wearing and they enjoy them too.

 

[CortezPearls]

I would say: just be mindful of the product you use on your skin...avoiding those that are ACIDIC in nature...those would be the harshest on pearls.
Most -if not all- perfumes are acidic.
But of course: if you apply on the skin and allow for some minutes "sitting" the perfume will interact with your skin and lose its acidity, then you can wear the pearls. I believe this should suffice.
And of course! After wearing the pearls...just use a clean, damp cloth to wipe off any grime after wearing them.

 

[Old School]

I love that you love your pearls so much you wear them every day.

 

[Shani]

Pearls are for wearing, no matter what their value. I wear my cheaper pearls AND my expensive pearls equally. After wall, what are you saving them for? I agree with @treasurefixation and you:
However, be sure to let your moisturizer sink in as much as possible, and then consider wiping your neck with a microfiber or dry washcloth before putting on your pearls. When taking them off at the end of the day, ALWAYS wipe down your pearls (gently so as not to pull the knots too much) to clean your pearls before putting them away each evening. Consider how much you will SWEAT...some people on this thread have posted that they wear single pearls on gold/metal necklaces or leather during the hotter months. I tend to wear full strands when I will be in air conditioned environments and pendants with chains when I know I'll be exposed to hotter temps. I have, in the past, taken off my pearls when I find the temps are getting too hot. I keep a pouch in my purse for this reason. It is the salt in your sweat that can dull and even damage pearls. Just use good judgement.

When the pearls start looking dull or the threads/silk are stretched, you can have them restrung. I string my own pearls and always clean the strand before restringing.

Most of all, ENJOY WEARING THEM! If you're like me, people will look at your pearls every day to see what you're wearing and they enjoy them too.

I completely agree with this sentiment. I wear my most expensive and "fancy" strands with jeans and a T-shirt if I am sure I am going out in safe areas lol! I am sitting at home right now with a cat on my lap, sweatpants a sweater wearing a tahitian pearl on a pendant. Yesterday, jeans, regular shirt and a nice bold kasumi like necklace stacked with some nice FWP. Don't save them for special occasions.

My mom recently passed away (25 Feb 25). I miss her like hell. She is the one who instilled that in me. Even when she was wasting away with cancer, she still wore her treasures and enjoyed them as much as was able. I even brought her in some to the hospital to wear while I was visiting her, and taking them home with me when I left.

Now I have inherited all of her treasures I coveted and would trade in every sparklie I own to have her instead of them but I will wear them in her honour and remember her with joy when I wear them.

 

[MotherOfPearlTrumpet]

I completely agree with this sentiment. I wear my most expensive and "fancy" strands with jeans and a T-shirt if I am sure I am going out in safe areas lol! I am sitting at home right now with a cat on my lap, sweatpants a sweater wearing a tahitian pearl on a pendant. Yesterday, jeans, regular shirt and a nice bold kasumi like necklace stacked with some nice FWP. Don't save them for special occasions.

My mom recently passed away (25 Feb 25). I miss her like hell. She is the one who instilled that in me. Even when she was wasting away with cancer, she still wore her treasures and enjoyed them as much as was able. I even brought her in some to the hospital to wear while I was visiting her, and taking them home with me when I left.

Now I have inherited all of her treasures I coveted and would trade in every sparklie I own to have her instead of them but I will wear them in her honour and remember her with joy when I wear them.

I'm so sorry to hear about your mother's passing. I lost my mother about 1 1/2 years ago and it is still pretty hard. I miss her. I also inherited some of her treasures (as did my sisters). It is a wonderful way to remember our mothers and honor them. Nothing makes me happier than when someone comments on a necklace or earrings I'm wearing because it gives me the opportunity to smile and have a short conversation with them about the necklace or earrings, where I got them, or why I love them.

I have even been known to take off a (cheaper) necklace and just give it to the person who says they like it because I have so many pieces that I've inherited or made.

I'm so glad your pieces bring you the same joy they bring me.

 

[CathyKeshi]

I too pass a piece along here and there, to someone who loves it; often a young friend who is just learning about pearls which are often out of reach yet. Shani and MOPTrumpet, may your treasures bring you joyful memories of your beloved ones.

 

[Shani]

I'm so sorry to hear about your mother's passing. I lost my mother about 1 1/2 years ago and it is still pretty hard. I miss her. I also inherited some of her treasures (as did my sisters). It is a wonderful way to remember our mothers and honor them. Nothing makes me happier than when someone comments on a necklace or earrings I'm wearing because it gives me the opportunity to smile and have a short conversation with them about the necklace or earrings, where I got them, or why I love them.

I have even been known to take off a (cheaper) necklace and just give it to the person who says they like it because I have so many pieces that I've inherited or made.

I'm so glad your pieces bring you the same joy they bring me.

Thank you for your kind words.

 

[jacoboliverleo]

Hello everyone!

I wanted to ask a question that has bothered me for some time. I know you are to keep pearls away from cosmetics as much as possible, but I find it impossible to truly keep them 100% away. My biggest concern is for pearl necklaces- I put moisturizer on my neck/chest every morning and while I do give it time to absorb before putting my pearls on, the pearls still do come in contact with some amount of moisturizer residue left on the skin. My question is- are all cosmetics bad for pearls or just some?

It’s great that you’re taking care with your pearls! While not all cosmetics are harmful, anything with oils, lotions, or perfumes can cause residue buildup and affect the pearls over time. The best practice is to apply moisturizer well before putting on your pearls, and consider using a protective cloth between them and your skin to minimize contact.

 

[Freshpeachez]

I thought this post was going to be about something completely different…the use of pearls in cosmetics. I saw a beauty brand today that advertised “pearl essence” in their cosmetics. Not sure what the benefit of this would be…making your skin iridescent?

Anyways, I also wear my pearls daily. But all of my strands are thrifted so I don’t feel bad wearing them with my perfume.

 

[pattye]

Our friends at Cortez Pearls have a line containing nacre here, but I haven't been able to try it yet. Douglas can you tell us more?

 

[LorenLL]

I thought this post was going to be about something completely different…the use of pearls in cosmetics. I saw a beauty brand today that advertised “pearl essence” in their cosmetics. Not sure what the benefit of this would be…making your skin iridescent?

Anyways, I also wear my pearls daily. But all of my strands are thrifted so I don’t feel bad wearing them with my perfume.

Speaking of pearls in cosmetics, Mikimoto also sells skin care products (and maybe cosmetics as well?) with powdered pearls added. They use rejects with low quality/incomplete nacre, and (IIRC) the entire pearl including the nucleus, which is made of freshwater mollusk shell, is ground up. Which means the "pearl essence" is just 99% aragonite and calcite plus a really tiny bit of conchiolin

 

[ennui]

I find it amusing that we'd put something on our skin that we wouldn't put on our pearls.