Mother of pearl has strong durability in some aspects, but is fragile in others. When putting nacre jewelry away, take care to prevent scratches from other pieces. This may entail the use of separate bags or compartments, or wrapping mother of pearl items in tissue paper.
When it comes to cleaning nacre, less is more. Ammonia mixtures and other strong chemicals do more harm than good. Abrasives have a similar issue. Wiping with lint-free cloth safely removes dirt and debris. A dip in warm water with mild detergent takes care of other residue.
Mother of pearl’s luster may dull from too much contact with body oils and other substances. To prevent this, save applying jewelry until after you’ve applied cosmetics. While nacre is tough, it’s probably best to remove your pieces before chores, sports or other strenuous activity.
