Antique Mikimoto pearls smell old. Can I wash with water and mild soap?

[vintagecharm]

My pearls are old and smell old.

I've googled how to clean them and it seems like some people suggest warm water and mild soap, while others say dawn dish soap is fine.

I believe these pearls are probably 50 years old since they've got a dark red velvet oyster shaped case (that also smells old). The Mikimoto logo on the case also looks like an older font, and the pearl strand clasp seems like an older design.

Any advice on how to clean them without ruining them?

 

[m-cubed]

I wonder if the smell is in the silk thread. You might be better off restringing them. I am not an expert, though.

 

[vintagecharm]

I wonder if the smell is in the silk thread. You might be better off restringing them. I am not an expert, though.

It seems that it’s the case that they came in that smell. I put the case outside and let the pearls sit alone tonight and they don’t smell anymore. The musty case though… that smelly thing is staying outside.

 

[pearlsngems]

I wash my pearls as needed but I would not use any dish soap, which is formulated to strip off oils. Also, I'd avoid highly colored and scented products to clean pearls. Stick to a mild soap and use distilled water to wash and to rinse.

I had a case that stunk, also. It didn't smell bad until I'd had it for a few years. I assume the chemicals in the case were breaking down and outgassing.

 

[Daisys and Diamonds]

can we see them please ?
wearing the pearls out in the fresh air might help them smelling fresher too
my mum's pearls smelt of stale purfume (she must have never got the last on first off memo) but after i wore them for a while no stinky white diamonds

 

[vintagecharm]

 

[Chelsea Palmer]

Wow! What a beautiful double-strand of pearls! I would love to have a set of these pearls, in that exact same case. Wouldn’t want them if they were new. I love the whole aura of that vintage case and font.

 

[RRfromR]

I have expertise lol. First, I got a platinum ruby ring that smelled like mold and had to soak it in borax and dawn. Then I got a bracelet reeking of rotting fish - the seller probably ate fish, packed it without washing hands, and then mailed it internationally via snail mail in 80 degrees weather. Thankfully the box was not antique. That had to be soaked in the dawn foam. Pearls are very very fragile, so I'd just let them air out in a well ventilated area one of those musty basement thingies. Also ask a reputable pearl seller on what to do.

 

[Lentibulariaceae]

This may be dumb but have you tried just… shoving some aromatic herbs in the case with it? That’s what I do with some of my nasty cases.

 

[Chelsea Palmer]

Can the case be dry-cleaned?

 

[stracci2000]

I would place the pearls and case outside for a few days to air out.
As @pearlsngems said, the glue and plastic in the case is breaking down and creating an unpleasant odor.

I recently acquired an old box of vintage buttons, mostly celluloid. The box hadn't been opened in 20 years. Beautiful buttons, but the chemical odor was horrible.
I put them outside on a tray for about 3 days and I was surprised at the difference. I now store them in a mesh bag.
It can't hurt to try!

 

[vintagecharm]

This may be dumb but have you tried just… shoving some aromatic herbs in the case with it? That’s what I do with some of my nasty cases.

I hadn't thought of that, but I'll have to try it.

 

[vintagecharm]

I would place the pearls and case outside for a few days to air out.
As @pearlsngems said, the glue and plastic in the case is breaking down and creating an unpleasant odor.

I recently acquired an old box of vintage buttons, mostly celluloid. The box hadn't been opened in 20 years. Beautiful buttons, but the chemical odor was horrible.
I put them outside on a tray for about 3 days and I was surprised at the difference. I now store them in a mesh bag.
It can't hurt to try!

The glue and plastic explains it. Should I keep the pearls outside that case or does the box breaking down not impact what the box touches?

I left it outside the past few days and don't have to leave the room anymore when I brought it back inside.

 

[vintagecharm]

Can the case be dry-cleaned?

I had no idea a box might be able to be dry-cleaned. I'll have to see if my dry cleaners could do something to it.

 

[pearlsngems]

The glue and plastic explains it. Should I keep the pearls outside that case or does the box breaking down not impact what the box touches?

I left it outside the past few days and don't have to leave the room anymore when I brought it back inside.

I removed my pearls from the malodorous case and now store them elsewhere. I've been airing out the case but it still smells. If it still smells bad in a few months I will dispose of it.

I think you said the pearls themselves smell ok? If not, restring them; sometimes the thread retains odors.