Bow and Pearl Necklace

No. Pearls should never be exposed to water beyond brief, accidental contact. Chlorine, salt water, soap, and shampoo all damage the nacre, dulling the luster permanently. Always remove pearl jewelry before showering, swimming, washing dishes, or working out. Put pearls on after applying lotion, perfume, and hairspray.

Pearls are not stones — they are organic gems made of calcium carbonate crystals (nacre) bound together by a protein called conchiolin. Both materials are vulnerable to chemicals.

Chlorine breaks down the conchiolin binding the nacre layers together, causing them to flake or peel over time. Salt water dries out the nacre and dulls its surface. Soaps, shampoos, and detergents leave a film that builds up and obscures luster. Even hot water can soften the protein binder.

The general rule, often called the last on, first off rule, applies especially to pearls:

• Put pearl jewelry on after you've showered, applied skincare, done your makeup, and styled your hair.
• Take pearl jewelry off before you shower, swim, exercise, clean, or sleep.

To clean pearls after wear, simply wipe each pearl with a soft, slightly damp cloth — water alone, no soap — and let them air-dry on a soft cloth before storing. This removes skin oils and residue without harming the nacre.

A note for stainless steel + pearl pieces: even though the steel itself is waterproof, the pearl is not. Treat any piece containing pearls as pearl-first — keep it out of the water regardless of what the rest of the piece is made of.

Baroque pearls are non-spherical, naturally irregular pearls formed when a pearl grows in an asymmetrical shape rather than a perfect round. Each baroque pearl is one-of-a-kind — no two are ever identical. Their organic shapes and rich, multi-dimensional luster give them character that round pearls cannot replicate.

The story behind the shape

A pearl forms when an irritant enters a mollusk and the animal coats it in layer after layer of nacre. When that irritant is irregular, or when the pearl grows against the shell, the result is a baroque — beautifully unpredictable in form.

Baroque pearls have been prized since antiquity precisely because of their individuality. Renaissance jewelers in 16th and 17th century Europe celebrated the most dramatic baroque shapes, often setting them as the bodies of mythological figures or sea creatures because the natural curves suggested form. The word "baroque" itself comes from the Portuguese barroco, meaning irregular pearl, and later gave its name to the entire art movement of the era.

What makes them special today:

• Every piece is unique. When you order a baroque pearl piece, your pearl will not look exactly like the photo. Some are rounder, some more dramatic, some have ridges or unexpected dimples — and that is the point.
• Their luster has more depth. The irregular surface catches light from multiple angles, creating a shimmer that flatter, rounder pearls don't have.
• They feel personal. Owning a baroque pearl is owning a shape that exists nowhere else.

If your pearl arrives looking different from the listing photo, that's a feature, not a flaw. We hand-select each one before it ships.

Store baroque pearls in a soft pouch or lined jewelry box, kept separately from other jewelry to prevent scratching their delicate nacre surface. Every Balanced Heart order ships with a free storage pouch and polishing cloth, so you have what you need from day one. Avoid airtight plastic bags — pearls are organic and need to breathe. Keep them away from heat, direct sunlight, and chemicals like perfume or hairspray.

Why storage matters more for pearls than other gems

Pearls are organic gems made of layered nacre, which is much softer than crystalline stones like diamonds or sapphires. They sit at 2.5–4.5 on the Mohs hardness scale, meaning almost anything in your jewelry box can scratch them — including other pearls.

Three storage rules to follow:

The first is separate. Always store pearls in their own pouch, compartment, or wrap them in a soft cloth. Tossed in a drawer with rings or chains, the nacre will scratch within a few wears.

The second is breathable. Avoid sealed plastic bags or airtight containers. Pearls contain trace amounts of moisture and need air circulation to stay healthy. Long periods in airtight storage can cause them to dry out and crack.

The third is cool and shaded. Heat and direct sunlight gradually dull the luster of nacre. A drawer, lined jewelry box, or closet shelf is ideal — somewhere room-temperature and out of direct light.

If you wear your pearls often, the natural oils from your skin actually help maintain their luster. Pearls love being worn.