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You may have a boxful of pearl jewellery – your wedding and engagement rings, pearl cufflinks, necklaces or pendants with pearl beads, pearl earrings and pearl bracelets. Pearl jewellery is loved for its simplicity, beauty, elegance and grace and can be used on any occasion to complement any outfit. But while you love and value your pearls, are you also aware of the right way to clean and store them?

Here are a few tips that will help you to use and maintain those pearl jewellery pieces really well:

• Pearls tend to stay cleaner if you put them on after applying makeup and perfume. So make sure that pearl jewellery is the last thing that you put on while getting ready. Even men should avoid spraying perfume over cufflinks on coats or suits.

• Always remember to take off your pearl rings before applying hand and body cream.

• Wipe pearl cufflinks and other pieces of pearl jewellery with a soft, lint-free cloth as soon as they are taken off. The cloth may be soaked in water or it can be dry. While using a damp cloth, always allow the pearls to air dry before storing them in a box.

• Pearls, especially in rings and pearl cufflinks that do get dirty with time may be cleaned with a mild soap and water solution.

• Don’t ever clean your pearl jewellery with solutions that contain ammonia or harsh detergents.

• Never put pearl jewellery in an ultrasonic cleaner.

• Do not use abrasive cleaners or rub your pearls with abrasive cloth. Such things can easily wear away the nacre coating to leave you with a plain looking bead.

Pearl jewellery items should not be stored with other jewellery pieces, because they easily get scratched when metal or gemstones rub against them. You should create a special section in your jewellery box for pearl cufflinks, pearl rings and other pearl jewellery. Alternatively, you can keep them in a soft chamois bag or bag made of any other non-abrasive material. p { margin-bottom: 0.08in; }

It is said that “the pearl is the queen of gems and the gem of queens”. This is probably because of its classic simplicity. The purpose of any jewellery piece is to complement and add to a woman’s beauty. Unlike diamond, sapphire and most other gem stones, pearl jewellery is not too loud – the simplicity of pearl jewellery is its ultimate sophistication.

A pearl necklace or pearl jewellery in any other form – ring, bracelet, ear rings – is also the ideal gift for any occasion. Women are known to have a fascination and love for jewellery for all kinds but pearl jewellery is truly delightful and can be gifted to a woman of any age group. From teenagers upward, any woman can be gifted pearl jewellery for birthdays, anniversaries, and for festive occasions such as Easter and Christmas.

The beauty and grace of pearl jewellery and pearl cufflinks means they should be properly maintained. You may wear pearl cufflinks daily with formal office attire or wear them occasionally for a party or festive get together, but it must look stunning whenever you don them. A little care and use of right cleaners can make it possible.