Ask the Experts Luster Q&A

Can you bring the shine back to mother of pearl?

- Meredith

If the mother-of-pearl shell surface is not permanently damaged, the loss of shine may be due to the material being soiled. Mother-of-pearl shell is a porous material and care should be taken when cleaning to avoid damaging the outer layers and contribute to permanent loss of shine. As a rule, any cleaning technique that is safe for pearls will be safe for your mother-of-pearl shell.

• Avoid abrasive materials, as they will damage the outer layers and finish. Blitz® Delicate Gem & Pearl Cleaner contains no ammonia and is generally safe for pearls, mother-of-pearl shell and other porous and soft gemstones.
• Test a small area first for any adverse reactions
• After cleaning, dry the beads gently with a soft cloth
• After the beads are clean and dry, you can apply a light coating of mineral oil with a cotton swab, let sit overnight and wipe away any excess oil with a second soft cloth.

If the mother-of-pearl shell surface is permanently damaged and the cleaning process does not restore the shine, you can consider (as a last resort) using Mona Lisa™ top coat sealant to add a surface shine. Apply the top coat per manufacturer's instructions.

Note: Sealing mother-of-pearl shell is generally not recommended as it can result in a reduced luster, or worst-case, potentially cracking the surface.

- Michelle Wood, Jewelry-Making Expert