Fine pearls can last for generations — but only if you take care of them. Pearls are organic gemstones, which means they respond to the chemistry of your skin, your sweat, your perfume, and your storage. The good news: pearl care is simpler than most care guides make it sound.
Three rules for everyday wear
- Last on, first off. Put your pearls on after you have applied perfume, hairspray, lotion, and makeup. Take them off before you undress at night. The chemicals in cosmetics are the single biggest threat to pearl luster.
- Wipe them after wearing. A soft, lint-free cloth (the one we send with every piece) is enough. A gentle wipe removes body oils before they have a chance to cloud the surface.
- Avoid water and sweat. Pearls should not be worn in the shower, in the pool, or during intense exercise. Chlorine, salt water, and acidic sweat all attack the nacre.
How to store your pearls
Pearls need to breathe. Store them in a soft cloth pouch or in a jewelry box with a fabric lining — not in airtight plastic bags, which can dry the nacre and cause surface cracking over time.
Keep pearls away from other jewelry, especially harder gemstones. Diamonds, sapphires, and other stones can scratch the pearl surface. The pouch or a separate jewelry compartment is enough.
Heat is the enemy. Never store pearls in direct sunlight, on a windowsill, or near a heat source. The nacre can dry and crack.
Restringing service
Strands of pearls should be restrung every two to three years if you wear them often, or whenever the silk thread looks frayed, darkened, or stretched between the pearls. We offer a free lifetime restringing service for any pearl jewelry purchased from Axiang Atelier.
To use the service, ship your piece to our Zhuji atelier (we will provide a prepaid label for orders over $200). We restring on silk thread with knots between every pearl, replace the clasp if it is worn, and ship it back to you within 10 business days. There is no charge for the service — you only pay return shipping.
30-day returns and exchanges
If your pearl jewelry is not exactly what you hoped for, you have 30 days from the date of delivery to return it for a full refund or exchange. The piece must be unworn, with the original card and packaging. We will provide a prepaid return label for orders over $200.
Lifetime warranty
Every piece of Axiang jewelry comes with a lifetime warranty against defects in workmanship. If a clasp fails, a setting loosens, or a pearl comes out of its mounting under normal wear, we will repair it for free. We have been making jewelry for three generations, and we stand behind what we make.
Have a question about caring for a specific piece? Write to us — we are happy to help.