How to care for pearls

A few rules, and a single reason.

A pearl is organic matter. It reacts to acids, alkalis, solvents and heat differently from a hard stone: from this come all the rules that follow.

• Last to be put on, first to be taken off. Perfume, hairspray and cosmetics are applied before the jewel, and away from the point where the pearl rests on the skin.
• A soft, dry cloth after each wearing. The skin's perspiration is slightly acidic. Wiping the pearl after wearing it is the gesture that prolongs its life more than any other.
• Stored apart from hard stones. A diamond scratches a pearl: a soft cloth protects it.
• Worn often. Shut away for a long time, a pearl dries out and loses lustre: daily wear is its best preservation.
• Kept away from water. Showers, swimming pools and steam rooms weaken the silk that holds the pearls together; chlorine and heat act on the nacre.
• Conch and melo also require shelter from heat and from prolonged direct light, which over the years softens their colour.
• The thread is checked. A knotted thread loosens with wear: if worn often, it should be checked every one to two years.

The maison's services

Restringing and hand-knotting. The work is completed within 30 days of receiving the jewel. The maison recommends checking the thread and, when necessary, restringing every one to two years.

Replacement of a single pearl. The maison seeks the specimen that best harmonises with the original jewel, by type, size, shape, colour, lustre and surface. The work is free of charge when the damage results from a manufacturing defect covered by the guarantee; in other cases an estimate is provided.

MIMÍ periodic check. Inspection of the condition of thread, knots, clasps, settings and pearls. The service is quoted according to the jewel and the work required.

Guarantee. Jewels purchased on mimimilano.com are covered by the legal guarantee of conformity for two years from delivery, covering manufacturing and conformity defects.

For any need, write to info@mimimilano.com, Monday to Friday from 10:00 to 16:00.

Text by the MIMÍ Milano gemmologists · updated 9 September 2026