Pearl jewelry sets

[Gem Stone]

Ok, I have a question for you guys. I have a brown pearl set, I believe they are real, and I was wondering if I could swim with them. Not in chlorine but in fresh, salt, and salt water pools. I read online that its bad to get them wet, and I wanted to ask if anyone else has swam with them before. I figured if anyone was going to swim with pearls it would be one of us, so has anyone swam with them? Does it really damage them?

[Koral]

I swim in real and fake pearls, and they are all just fine. I cherish pearls and wear them a lot. I often wear a string of genuine freshwater pearls around my neck while swimming, and a glass pearl bracelet.

To test if your pearls are real, scrape the pearl against the edge of your front teeth. Glass pearls feel similar to real ones in texture, but yet not. Fake plastic pearls are all around smooth. REAL pearls feel as though you are scraping off the nacre layers - it kind of irritates the teeth (not really harming them, just feels unpleasant) and feels almost like you're filing your teeth off. Another way to tell is look at the string-hole if its a loose unstranded pearl. Fakes you can see the under the coat of paint in the hole, real ones are slightly smaller holes and lack the evident "paint layer."

Tooth test is the best way.

[Gem Stone]

But whether they are real or not, swimming with them on wont hurt them, right?

and yes, rubbing the pearls against my teeth makes a slightly irritating filing sound and feel.

[Elle]

I have two sets of pearl earrings (a pink set and a black set). Pearls are made in fresh and saltwater, so I don't think it could hurt it. I've swam in mine and never had an issue. they only thing I think you'd have to worry about are clasps, chains, etc. If they aren't of a good quality you can get just occurring. I don't know if it would stain the pearls or not, but can affect aesthetic quality

[Gem Stone]

That's good, because i really want to swim in these next summer and I don't want to ruin them

[Koral]

My pearls are holding up swimmingly. I haven't been in the ocean, just over-chlorinated water. My choker's clasps are made of real silver. The bracelet broke one, but my boyfriend immediately fixed it so I could keep wearing it, and it was made of cheap-ish stuff. So, I can attest that all you really need to look out for is the make of the clasps.

No discoloration yet, either.

[Elle]

The bracelet broke one, but my boyfriend immediately fixed it so I could keep wearing it, and it was made of cheap-ish stuff. So, I can attest that all you really need to look out for is the make of the clasps.

Yes! this is something to look out for! However you may not find out about the clasp until it's too late.
I did think to add it before but if you have corded necklaces/bracelets with a clasp, either give them a gentle squeeze with some pliers so they are nice and tight or if they have fallen out, get some good glue (like epoxy) before putting it back together.

And check them regularly! you wouldn't want to lose something in the ocean, you probably won't find it again

[Gem Stone]

well, not something that small, but not everything in the ocean is lost. we've found fishing poles, spear guns, anchors, and the occasional weight belt on the ocean floor that we've dropped.

[Koral]

Yeah, the make of jewelry could be tested in pools first for durability. It's easier to find them that way, if lost.

I agree on the glue. I think I should do that to mine, even my real silver clasps. I think I'll dab on a little E6000, as I don't really know for sure if want to use super glue on my SILVER. :I

PS:
Another good thing for clasps and jump rings. Soldering iron. Such as:
7624

You'll also need flux and solder.
Please watch a tutorial such as this to understand the method:

http://youtu.be/ReeiZ09DOQ8

[Elle]

Yeah, the make of jewelry could be tested in pools first for durability. It's easier to find them that way, if lost.

I agree on the glue. I think I should do that to mine, even my real silver clasps. I think I'll dab on a little E6000, as I don't really know for sure if want to use super glue on my SILVER. :I

I use this method on corded jewellery. so leather cord into metal clasp. but if you have the kind of clasp that encloses the end of the chain (in like a little ball) if they come open you use a tooth pic and swab a little inside before pushing it shut, it can help keep it closed :)

I'd never thought of soldering it shut tho.... That's something I'll keep in mind for finer pieces I think :)

[Koral]

Oh! I see what you mean. In the crimps! Yeah, that would actually be a very good method to keep ALL jewelry together. :)

[Miyu]

I've been wondering about this as well... Pearls are usually rated at a 2.5 on the Mohs Hardness Scale, and most pearl experts will tell you that daily wear can make your pearl lose its nacre (one reason why it is rarely used as beads in malas, because you rub those with your fingers throughout the day - pearl malas tend to be "just for show"), and you're supposed to clean and carefully store pearls. Also, I read that you're not supposed to wear anything at a hardness lower than 7 in salt water, as the salt particles and such will wear down the nacre as well.

However, all this only matters if you REALLY want your pearls to stay pearly. I know someone may just want the "essence" of the pearl with them...

Speaking of the tooth test, in ancient times pearls were ground up and used as tooth powder (to clean teeth), and it's still used widely in asia: http://www.examiner.com/article/pearl-powder-eat-it-wear-it-brush-your-teeth-with-it. ETA: I guess teeth/fingernails and pearls are around the same hardness on the Mohs...

The fact that they can be ground into powder so easily leads me to believe that repeated use of salt water will degrade pearls. I had a soft stone I tried to cleanse by soaking in salt water once (Before I learned about not putting some stones in salt water), and after just sitting there then rinsing with plain water (no scrubbing or swishing), the whole surface of the stone was all dull, scratched, and needed to be re-polished (which I never did, because I didn't get the stone for looks). That stone was also harder than pearl...