3 tips for cleaning and maintaining mother-of-pearl jewelry

How to clean mother-of-pearl jewelry?

As a reminder: mother-of-pearl is the inner coating of some shells. If we love its iridescent color in our DIY costume jewelry, it is still very fragile and very sensitive. It is therefore necessary to avoid certain events, such as putting it in water for a long time or exposing it to high temperatures. Also be careful with cosmetics, perfume and cleaning products, which could damage the mother-of-pearl.
It is also recommended not to use abrasive products or hard toothbrushes to clean it.

Ideally, it should be stored in a pouch, separate from other jewelry, to avoid bumps and scratches.

1. Clean the mother-of-pearl with a soft cloth

First, use a soft, slightly damp cloth (it shouldn't be soggy, but it shouldn't be too rough either) and gently wipe the surface of the mother-of-pearl.
If that's not enough, there are other simple and effective solutions to clean them and give them back their shine.

2. clean mother-of-pearl with soapy water

Clean your mother-of-pearl jewelry with a solution of warm water and a drop of black soap or Marseille soap. Rinse thoroughly with clear water and dry with a soft cloth.
If the mother-of-pearl is particularly stained, you can use a soft toothbrush. Be careful, you will have to scrub the surface of your piece very gently without pressing.

3. Restore the shine to the mother-of-pearl

To restore the shine of your mother-of-pearl jewelry, nothing beats a few drops of vegetable oil or sweet almond oil. Simply put a little oil on a soft, clean cloth. Then gently rub your jewelry. Be gentle so as not to scratch or damage the mother of pearl. Finally, use another soft, clean cloth to remove the excess oil.
Be careful to dose the amount of oil: a few drops are enough. Too much oil can leave marks on the mother-of-pearl.