My friend swims in her pearls - is this a good idea or not?


My simple answer is – “No”.

Let me explain.

Your pearls are soft but with appropriate care they will last several lifetimes. Treat them inconsiderately and they could start to deteriorate rapidly.

The first thing to state as clearly as possible is - NEVER swim with pearls on if it’s a chlorinated pool. The chlorine will be very destructive to the pearl’s surface and the results could be catastrophic. No exceptions.

Water in itself, in theory, won’t hurt a pearl. After all, it was their natural environment!

However, water can be very damaging to the stringing of pearls unless the string is specifically stated to be waterproof.  Another problem is that, typically, if you’re swimming in pearls then there’s a fair chance that you’re doing so in sunshine.

Direct sunlight isn’t great for these wonders of nature, particularly when it’s over an extended period. Then there’s the fact that your pearls are likely to be bouncing around against each other as you move through the water and yet again, that’s something you’ll want to avoid unless you enjoy the thought of damage to this prized possession.

If I haven’t convinced you by now, let’s not forget the risk of loss.  Unless you fancy combing a vast area of the ocean trying to find your lost pearls, this is a risk best passed-up on too.

As you can probably guess, I’m firmly in the camp of saying “don’t do it”. While the risks to pearls are specific, it’s really not a great idea with any jewellery that has a real or emotional value. Whether you’re speaking of a pool or in the sea, the risk of damage and loss are just too great – at least in my opinion.

Keep your pearls safe and cared for!

Read more about Australian pearl jewellery, pearl bracelets, pearl earrings and pearl rings with Lust Pearls.

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