Most pearls that are worn today are generally cultured, though there are still freshwater ones available. They are simply beads that are put into clam or oyster shells and then covered in a glaze by the shellfish to coat the foreign object, giving it the unique and beautiful appearance that so many women love when buying a set of pearl earrings or even pearl necklaces.
The better the quality of the pearl, the more durable it is in the long run. However, all pearls need special care and cleaning as they are generally more fragile in nature than gemstones. Any other cleaning methods should be avoided.
Pearls should only be put on after applying perfume and makeup and removed before applying body or hand creams. Pearls can be cleaned successfully with a lint-free, water dampened, soft cloth immediately after they are removed. Then the pearls should be allowed to dry naturally in the air. For dirty pearls, use non-abrasive soft soap like Ivory Flakes and water, avoiding all hard detergents, cloths, ammonia and ultrasonic cleaning devices as they can damage or destroy the fragile nacre surfaces. Such damage can result in just a plain bead and make the pearls worthless.
Pearl storage is also important. They should be kept in soft jewelry bags and never put along side other jewelry and most especially not gemstones or metal pieces. It is also good to have a jeweler restring pearl necklaces and earrings from time to time with either nylon or silk cord. Silk is the best option as it is the least abrasive and traditionally more attractive, adding value to any necklace or earring set.