The ‘life’ of a pearl is said to be fifty, one hundred or even one hundred and fifty years.  They can certainly last several generations.  If worn with care, they should not deteriorate in any way.

-         Do not dip strings of pearl in water or solutions of any kind. The string may draw the liquid into the pearl and as pearl is made up of many concentric layers, it may become discolored through the capillary action of foreign substance in the liquid

-         Do not wear pearl in the bath, or during a workout.  The violent action of the workout may rub the pearl against one another, and perspiration may cause the pearl to discolor.

-         Overheating, acid and acid fumes will destroy the animal layer of the pearl. Exposure to strong sunlight, and smoke are harmful to pearl.  Sulphur in the atmosphere is more harmful to white pearl.

-         Locking pearls in a safe deposit box devoid of air may dry out the organic elements of pearl. It is advisable to store pearl in linen free from chemical alongside blotting paper or fibre paper soaked with water, and wrapped them all in paraffin paper to prevent evaporation of the moisture

-         To clean pearl, rub with cloth dipped in alcohol diluted with warm water, or a weak solution of soap and water, then rub with another cloth dipped in clean water, and rub with dry cloth. 

Treat your pearls with care, it is a strong material cemented by layers of minerals and vegetation, but if they are thrown on a table, dropped on the floor, or otherwise mishandled, they will lose their lovely color and luster.