The Boomers Blog – Fashion Blog

Among all the jewelry that we possess, pearls are always different, not only the way they are formed but also how they add the elegance to us when we put on them. There are actually many kinds of pearls. The pride that we feel when we have a pearl which comes from being nurtured and formed in the depth of the ocean inside an oyster, is simply mesmerizing. Just having a masterpiece of nature, like a lustrous pearl, isn’t enough. Also, just for information sake, pearls are the June birthstone. In any case, one must take the necessary precautions for pearl jewelry care, so that their beauty never fades away!

Pearls are considered to be shock-resistant and durable, which they are. Pearls are given a rating between 3.0 to 4.5 on the MOHS hardness scale. Therefore, they do need essential care while cleaning. There are some simple but effective measures that need to be taken to maintain the shining glow that pearls are known for. When it comes to the cleaning of pearls, take the following steps and your pearls will be as gorgeous as they were when you bought them.

Always use a SOFT lint free cloth or silicon cloth to wipe the pearl surface after every use. Never use a cloth which has harsh or abrasive material, it will harm the pearl surface.
While cleaning the pearls, you can moisten the cloth with plain water if you want. You can also use solutions which contain mild soaps and are recommended for pearl cleaning. But make sure that the pearls are completely dried naturally before you store them.
Never use a solution which has harsh detergents, ammonia, alcohol, chlorine or vinegar or citric acid, hairspray, perfumes, etc. These affect the nacre of the pearls and makes them dull.
Always wear your after you are done with your make up and perfumes. This is because the creams and perfumes might contain harmful chemicals that can harm the pearls. Even perspiration for that matter affects the luster of the pearl. So it’s important to clean them every time you take them off.
If you wear a pearl ring, make sure you take it off before applying your daily hand cream or moisturizer, or even before washing your hands.
If you swim a lot, make sure to remove the pearls before entering the pool, as chlorine proves to be very harmful for the nacre. Also dipping pearls in water weakens the string in which the pearls are beaded together.
Don’t use ultrasonic cleaners to clean your pearl jewelry.
If your pearl jewelry has lost its shine and luster, consider wiping them gently with a little amount of olive oil with the help of a soft cloth. This helps to revive the shine and luster of the pearls.
One can also seek the help of a jeweler to clean pearl jewelry

Another major aspect of care is looking after little, but important things while storing the pearls away. Unlike diamonds or other gemstones, which can be polished or cut, pearls just need to be taken care of. Here is how to take care of pearls when you store them away:

Always keep your pearls inside a soft pouch or a soft cloth so that they don’t come across harsh surfaces.
Never store your pearl jewelry in the same jewelry boxes where you keep the other jewelry. The pearls might end up getting a scratch when in contact with other gemstones or precious metals with sharp surfaces.
Don’t keep the pearl jewelry in places with high temperature or under direct exposure to sunlight. This can cause the pearl to crack.
Avoid storing pearls in security boxes, in case you have to, then make sure that you take the jewelry out of it within short intervals. If you want, you can also place a damp cloth (make sure it isn’t too wet or else it will cause mildew.) in the security box as pearls require a certain amount of moisture. Also make sure to change the damp cloth at regular intervals.
Never store the pearl jewelry in the form of hanging them. This makes the string stretch and makes it weak. Always store the pearl jewelry flat. This is a very important step in pearl jewelry care.
Never keep the pearl jewelry on a television or radiator. This harms the nacre of the pearl and makes it look dull.
Always make sure to restring the pearls on a regular basis to make sure that the string is durable and in good shape. Using a silk string or a nylon string would be a good choice as they are strong and will keep the pearls intact.
To add to the list of pearl jewelry care, you can also string the pearls into individual knots, meaning each pearl has an individual knot. The benefit of this is that it prevents friction among the pearls (which is of course, good for longer durability) and also the pearls won’t scatter away if a portion of the string ends up breaking!

So these were some simple but extremely effective steps to follow when it comes to care. Pearls don’t require that extra special care. It’s just very thoughtful and simple day-to-day care that one needs to take, so that the everlasting and lustrous shine of the pearls continue to glow today and forever!

Pearl is a gemstone. Most of the women like pearl jewelry due to it’s simple and classic look. Today, pearls are much more widely available due to the practice of cultivating pearls. There are different types of pearl jewelry present in the market like Freshwater Pearl Necklace, Freshwater Pearl Bracelet, Freshwater Pearl Earrings, Pearl Choker etc. Its fact that jewelry is the most important part for any women who looks like beauty full but before buying any types of jewelry you should concuss about your buying product.

Pearl jewelry comes in a plethora of natural tones and colors, including white, creme and rose. Silver and black-colored pearls are already found but it is very rare and that’s why it is costly too. These types of rare pearls are found only in waters of the South Seas. In diameter most of the pearls usually in between 4 to 8.5 mm. Pearls are basically divided into four grades: A, AA, AAA, and AAA+ quality. AAA and AAA+ quality are the highest quality and it this range only few pearls are found and due to it’s rare in nature they are very much costly as compare too another pearls. AAA and AAA+ is one of the best quality pearls and also the most desired pearls for gifts. They have very clean surface skins and high luster. AA quality pearls have medium luster as compare to AAA and AAA+ and slight to medium surface imperfection. This quality pearls is really very good for every one who has interest to buy pearls jewelry and it is also found that AA quality pearls has more sell as compare to AAA and AAA+ because of it’s cheap price. A quality pearls have low luster and medium to heavy blemishes. They are not popular for gifts due to their low quality. Pearl Jewelry Buying Tips  

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There is a need for every woman to own a pearl ring once in her life time. The simple feminine elegance of the pearl is basically a woman’s right to possess. Choosing the right kind of pearl for your ring may be a difficult task. This article intends to assist you in purchasing your dream pearl ring.
Pearls rings are worn and given in different occasions. Rarely, these are used as birthstone engagement ring. Pearl is the birthstone of the month of June. One might think that a pearl is less costly than a diamond, it is true. However, pearls are more difficult to set and usually come with diamonds and other gemstones, so they actually turn out to be more expensive.
There is a vast range of pearls to choose from. Pearls are categorized into the following:
Black Tahitian Pearls, Button Pearls, Coin Pearls, Cultured Pearls, Freshwater Pearls, and. Natural Pearls or South Sea Pearls.
Your pearl ring will also have to be set in gold, silver, white gold or platinum and in designs that you prefer. You may give additional accent to the ring by combining the setting with diamonds or semi-precious stones. The craftsmanship will define the beauty of your ring, so take extra care in choosing the design. Jewelers offer a variety of designs to choose from that brings out the uniqueness in you.
The perfect pearl should be carefully considered based on several characteristics. A good pearl should have good luster, being bright and not dull. The pearl’s surface should show your reflection. If its too white or dull or chalky in appearance, it indicated low quality.
In terms of its surface, it should be free of bumps, cracks and spots. The value increases as its surface is cleaner. Cultured pearls from oysters usually produce imperfectly round shapes. However, the rounder the pearl, the more valuable. The asymmetrical shapes of Baroque pearls are less costly but exhibit a lustrous appeal.
The color of pearls comes in varying colors. You can find white, gold, cream, blue, green, rose and black pearls. Some pearl producers even offer rainbow, iridescent pearls which are so rare and valuable. Pink-hued white pearls are considered one of the most expensive. White, silver and rose pearls look great on people with fair skin. Dark skin is flattered, on the other hand, by cream and gold pearls.
The size of cultured pearls is measured in millimeters by the diameter. Seed pearls may be as small as one millimeter while a South Sea pearl could be as big as 20 millimeters. The average pearl ranges from 7-7.5 millimeters. The bigger the pearl, the more valuable it would be. Natural pearls, however, are measured in carats.
The origin of the pearl is also of great importance. Natural and cultured pearls come from oysters. Natural pearls occur accidentally in oysters while cultured pearls are grown by man in oysters. Whether it is natural or cultured can be determined by a skilled jeweler or by using an X-ray machine. Natural pearls are more valuable than cultured pearls since they are rarer. Man-made imitation pearls are of no value.
Natural and cultured pearls may be from freshwater or saltwater. Saltwater pearls are more costly, the most costly coming from Akoya, Japan and Tahiti.
The nacre is the substance that the oyster or mollusk deposits on the irritant or foreign material that enters its shell. The thickness of the nacre will determine the value of the pearl. The thicker the nacre, the more valuable it is.
When buying a pearl ring, you should consider the following tips. Avoid pearls with blemishes and cracks. A consistent luster throughout the pearl indicates good quality. Beeswax is often used by jewelers to treat pearls but may affect the luster, so ask your jeweler about it.
Also consider the thickness of the nacre, you could ask your jeweler about it. When you rub the pearl against your tooth, it must have a rough feel and not a smooth feel indicating that it is imitation pearl. Ask for an x-ray result if you opt for a natural pearl to ensure that it is, in fact, natural and not cultured.
Knowing all the qualities of a good quality pearl, you are now ready to find that perfect pearl that will complete your girl wish-list.

Tahitian pearls are named after the island of Tahiti and they are highly prized for their beauty and the unique charm of their darker tones, thanks to the island’s black-lipped oysters that produce black, gray and green-black pearls. Recognizing their value, pearl farmers used the pearl culturing techniques pioneered by the Japanese to cultivate Tahitian pearls. Since then, Tahitian pearls have become one of the most sought-after gems in the world.
Factors to consider when choosing quality Tahitian pearl necklaces, in order of importance:
Nacre thickness ideally, the minimum thickness of nacre in Tahitian pearls is 0.8 mm. A thicker nacre covering means that the pearl’s luster will last long. Thinner nacres have a tendency to wear off easily. Tahitian pearls which are thinner than the required minimum are not exported from French Polynesia.
Surface texture and quality Tahitian pearls, like all pearls, are graded according to the quality of its surface. Pearls could have thick nacres but if the surface is flawed, their value decreases. Flaws include bumps, spots, discolorations, scratches and other irregularities. The more a pearl has, the less valuable or lower-grade it becomes.
To rate the quality of Tahitian pearls, jewelers use a grading system, consisting of A, B, C and D as the marks, with A-grade pearls being the highest quality. A-grade pearls have the cleanest, nearly flawless surface, virtually free of spots, discoloration or bumps. These pearls have a high luster and reflective quality.
B-grade Tahitian pearls have slightly (but still imperceptible) imperfect surfaces, with only 30% of the surface affected by flaws. C-grade Tahitian pearls have medium luster and imperfections are already quite perceptible while D-grade pearls are those with 60% of its surface affected by quite obvious imperfections, including scratches.
Luster one quality of pearls that sets it apart from other gemstones is its unique brilliance. As opposed to other gems like the diamond, for example, pearls shine with a softer light. And since they reflect light, they also look like mirrors, reflecting everything in their immediate surrounding.
Generally, the thicker the nacre, the more brilliant and mirror-like the shine. Good quality pearls are clear and almost metal-like in their sheen.
Size the largest Tahitian pearl ever produced is 25mm, although this in not a round pearl. The largest round Tahitian pearl is at 21mm. Generally, the bigger the size of the pearl, the higher its value is. Most Tahitian pearls are in the range of 8 to 14mm, although a few are measured at 16mm.
Shape pearls follow the shape of the irritant or nucleus that enters the mouth of the oyster or mollusk that produces it. But to meet jewelry standards, most pearls are produced following three major categories: round or spherical, symmetrical and baroque.
Spherical pearls are those that are round or nearly round. A perfectly round pearl, whether natural or cultured, is quite rare and therefore highly prized. Spherical pearls are the most familiar and popular shapes. Nearly-round pearls are categorized as sphericals, although they may be slightly elongated or flattened.
Symmetrical pearls are so-called because if you cut one in half, each piece will mirror the other. Included in this category are oval pearls, which taper at the ends and are wider at the center; button pearls, which are slightly more flattened and often used for earrings; and drop pearls, which look like teardrops or pears, usually included in jewelry as pendants.
Baroque pearls may also be semi-baroque and include all other shapes that cannot be classified as either spherical or symmetrical. These are the favorite pearls of artists because of their irregular shapes. Baroque pearls may resemble sticks, studs and even crosses.
Other notable variations in Tahitian pearls are those that have ‘rings’ tiny grooves that encircle the pearl’s surface. For this reason, these pearls are called circled or ringed, although this quality is only used as a descriptive device, to distinguish one pearl from another. For example, a ringed pearl may be described as a ‘ringed oval’ or ‘circled drop’.
Color when Tahitian pearls are mentioned, the first thing that comes to most people’s minds is black pearls although they do come in other colors, albeit in darker tones. Some of their interesting colors are gray, green, brown and blue.
The pearl’s color is determined by two things: the main body color and its overtone. A pearl can have one or more overtones. The main body color is the predominant color of the pearl while the overtone is the hint of iridescent color that is seen on top of the body color and can affect or enhance the dominant color of the pearl. Pink, gold, blue, silver and purple are some of the most common overtones.
A combination of the body color and overtone is used to describe a pearl. For example, a greenish black pearl is called a peacock while a yellowish gray is called a champagne.
When buying Tahitian pearl necklaces, keep the above considerations in mind. Aside from quality, you might also want to consider design and setting. Don’t be afraid to ask questions and information in detail. If the jewelry shop is reputable, they will be more than glad to answer your questions.
On your own, shopping for real Tahitian pearl necklaces can be quite a challenge. To help you make your decision, here are a few tips on real Tahitian pearls:
- they have overtones over the main body color. Fake or imitation pearls don’t and their color looks flat. Real Tahitian pearls also glow with a faint reddish color when examined using crossed filters.
- Tahitian pearls feel cool, although they do adapt to your body temperature. Imitation pearls maintain the same temperature as their surroundings, so when they are touched for the first time, they won’t feel cold.
- To test for real Tahitian pearls, hold them in the palm of your hand and take note of their weight. They are heavier than imitation pearls. If you rub Tahitian pearls across your teeth, they will feel grainy or coarse and not smooth. Their holes are also smoother around the edges.

The sophisticated and mesmerizing pearl jewellery comes in exotic and beautiful designs. The gorgeous white pearls have been around for centuries and people adore the pearl jewels and other ornaments having dazzling pearls. The formation of pearls is very interesting. Pearls are formed when a small object like a parasite or piece of organic matter, gets embedded in the tissue of an oyster or mollusk. In response, the mantle tissue of the mollusk secretes nacre. As the nacre builds up in layers, it surrounds the object and eventually forms a pearl.

Pearls mainly come in two categories and they include freshwater cultured pearls and sea water cultured pearls. Cultured pearls are grown in bodies of saltwater such as bays. Saltwater cultured pearls most commonly consist of Akoya and South Sea pearls, also known as Tahitians. The difference between the types of pearls depends upon the oyster use, the environment in which they live, and different techniques of cultivation used by the pearl farmers.

Different colors of pearls include; stunning black pearls, elegant golden pearls, cool fresh water pearls, lovely white pearls and classic off-white pearls. There are different sizes of pearls also. Some are measured in millimeters like cultured pearls and some in diameters. You can find round pearls, oval pearls and off-round pearls.

Making of the jewellery is also a factor that counts for its beauty. Stringing the pearls to make a necklace can affect the beauty and charm of the article. If not properly made it will not look good. While making pearl pieces the size, shape and color are some of the important factors that should be considered as they can affect the value of the pearls and jewels. Pearl necklaces are of different color themes like; same colored pearls necklace or multicolored pearls necklace.

Pearl jewellery has a unique charm and temptation. If the nacre quality of pearls is good then the pearl gives an intense glow that comes from within the pearl. The glow and shine of pearls makes the jewellery more alluring and glamorous. Pearl ornaments can be expensive depending upon the type and size of pearl you choose. Large pearls are costly than smaller ones. Different sizes of pearls are used in different jewellery articles, for earrings and rings mostly small pearls are preferred and for necklace large ones look better.

The exquisite black colored pearls are also known as Tahitian pearls of South Sea. The color of these pearls includes different hues of black color which ranges from light gray like dove to dark gray like gunmetal color. The highly treasured and exotic Tahitian pearls feature rich, brilliant luster and smooth, clean nacre.

The rich golden colored pearls when combined with white pearls necklace looks spectacular. Rings, pendants, earrings and bracelets of different amazing colors of pearls are simply adorable and women love to wear them casually as well as formally. Pearl jewellery looks great with white colored outfit; it enhances the beauty of the color and the wearer. Pearl rings in sterling silver or white gold looks dazzling and are perfect for engagements and anniversaries.

When shopping for pearl jewelry, whether online or in a jewelry store, you are going to see and hear some industry terms that you may not be that familiar with. You’ll be told that the nacre of this pearl is thick, it’s luster is excellent, it’s surface is clean and that is why it retails for $999. The only thing you might recognize from that description is the price! So educating yourself on the terminology used to describe pearl jewelry before you begin shopping will allow you to accurately compare pearls from one another, understand their value, and can lead you to making a very good purchase on quality pearls. You may even end up saving a few dollars just by knowing a few terms!

Cultured vs Natural

Let’s start with knowing the difference between Cultured Pearls and Natural Pearls. While both are real pearls, the way they are created is what sets them apart. Cultured pearls are harvested on pearl farms in controlled conditions. With the assistance of pearl farmers, they insert an object into the mollusk to jump start the creation of the pearl. The end result is still an authentic pearl that carries the same properties as a natural pearl.

Natural pearls by contrast are those found in their natural environment. They are pearls that have been stumbled upon by chance. Therefore, natural pearl jewelry may carry a heavier price tag than cultured pearl jewelry because of the unique, natural quality they have. Cultured pearls tend to be more affordable because of their ability to be mass produced. However, each is still very similar in their qualities and authenticity.

Shape

As you study the pearls that interest you, pay close attention to the shape of the pearl. The closer each pearl is to a perfect sphere or being perfectly round, the higher in value the jewelry will be. Round pearls are pretty rare to come across and only account for a small percentage of the pearls coming out of pearl farms.

From there, you will see the term Near-round to describe pearls that are not quite perfectly round, but close to it. Oval pearls look just as they sound. Button style pearls are pearls that appear to be thinner, or squashed by comparison. Drop pearls have the appearance of a tear drop.

Lastly are Baroque pearls. These pearls are irregular in shape and are non-symmetrical as well. In fact, the actual shapes of a baroque pearl can range from simply being semi-round to stick or cross shaped. Many times however, a strand of baroque pearls will be similar to each other thus creating a uniform strand. Incidentally, Tahitian and South Sea baroque pearls are also very unique as the process to create them takes much longer. Therefore, their value may be considered greater.

Nacre / Mother-of-Pearl

Nacre, or mother-of-pearl, is a secretion of calcium carbonate and conchiolin that a mollusk will release to cover an object such as a grain of sand that has entered the mollusk. This object acts as an irritant and triggers the secretion to begin. Layers and layers of nacre will build around this object and leads to the production of a pearl. In fact, a real pearl can be identified by its layers of nacre present. The thicker the nacre, the higher quality and more durable your pearl is against nicks, scratches and overall wear and tear.

Luster

Luster is a term used to describe a pearls ability to reflect light. The more translucent each layer of the pearl, the greater its ability to reflect light. You can visually determine a pearls luster by its ability to show your reflection or have shine to it. If the pearl is dull or really doesn’t have a reflection, then it is considered to be poor in quality.

Surface

A pearls surface can be described as clean, blemished or marked. The surface is basically how you see the pearl. Looking at it, do you see any marks or discolorations in its coating or color? If you do, these are the pearls blemishes or marks. If a pearl does not appear to have any, then it is described as clean. A pearl with a clean surface is considered to have a higher value than a pearl with a blemished surface. If you have your eyes set on a strand of clean pearls, be sure that the strand is uniform and that each pearl has a clean surface. While blemished pearls are considered to be lesser in value, they are still considered to be of good quality. Pearls whose surface is so poor generally do not make it to the jewelry stage.

Color

Colors of pearls vary from bright whites to rich shades of black. The color of the pearl will depend on the types of pearls you are looking at. For instance Akoya pearls generally come in whites with cream or pink overtones. Tahitian pearls on the other hand are most likely black or shades of gray. South Sea pearls meanwhile are generally associated with golden pearls.

The color of pearls really doesn’t affect the pricing of it. However you will want to be sure that all of the other quality factors still apply to the pearls you are considering. Your choice of colored pearls should be chosen carefully to compliment your skin tone. As a rule of thumb, people with tan or darker skin tones tend to find darker pearls or pearls with cream overtones to compliment their skin best. Women with lighter, fairer skin will find that pearls with pink or rose overtones work well.

Grades

With so many terms used to describe pearl jewelry, it’s not a wonder we felt the need to write this article! However, all of these characteristics can be combined and defined with a simple grade. Yes, pearls receive grades based upon their quality. There are three grades that can be assigned to a pearl ranging from A to AAA.

A pearl with a grade of AAA means these pearls are of the highest quality and greatest value. It means all of the characteristics listed out above are of the best conditioning. You can expect these types of pearls to be higher in price.

Pearl jewelry given a grade of AA is your middle of the road pearl. The pearls generally will be round or near-round shape and may have slight blemishes here and there. These and the rest of the qualities will either be considered of high quality or slightly below.

Lastly, pearl jewelry given an A generally means you’ll find a few more blemishes, a lower luster quality, and either a near round or semi-round shape. It is important to note that pearls with a lower grade do not necessarily mean they are not worth the investment. They are still quality, authentic pearls that have been matched with each other to create a uniform, cohesive set of pearl jewelry.

Perhaps you may not be able to remember all of the terminology, but knowing the significance of a pearls grade will ensure you will be able to select a quality piece of jewelry that is worth the asking price. Now you hopefully will be able to go into a jewelry shop, online or off, and will have a clear advantage to make a smart purchasing decision. Couple this information with knowing the different types of pearls available and you will be all set!

Discount pearl necklace is the quintessential piece of jewelry to lend style and class to any fashion wardrobe of women in today’s world. Women for centuries have been wearing pearl necklaces around their necklines enhancing beauty and style. Celebrities, fashion models, professional and women of all walks of life adore lustrous pearl jewelry. Pearls natural lustrous appeal makes them feel excited and graceful.

Pearl necklace is made with all kinds of pearls quality, sizes, shapes and colors but buying discount pearl necklace not always means buying cheap pearls. As like diamonds and other gemstones, prices are determined by the quality, size, designs and overall appeal, so are the pearls. Quality is the key factor when choosing discount pearl necklace. Paying higher price for discount pearl necklace not necessarily always get you better quality pearl jewelry. Many pearl jewelry stores offer discounts to customers to make more sales with very little margin of profits. Building reputation on providing quality discount pearl necklace or pearl jewelry is paramount to any trusted pearl jewelry store.

Customers get quality pearl jewelry at deep-discounted prices.

Many online pearl jewelry stores procure high quality pearls directly from the source and with low overheads are able to sell discount pearl necklace or pearl jewelry at much lower prices than others. Most pearl jewelry store offer 30 days return policy with 100 % satisfaction guaranteed.

Value of any type of pearls is determined by various factors; which are pearl nacre, pearl luster, pearl size, pearl color, pearl surface etc. Luster is the prime consideration as no one would like to wear dull luster discount pearl necklace even if it is very cheap. It’s worth investing in good quality pearl jewelry that can be passed on from generation to generation.

The most affordable discount pearl necklace is made of freshwater pearls and then comes the akoya pearls. Buying complete pearl jewelry trio set – pearl necklace, pearl earrings and or pearl bracelet get you extra savings plus you save money on shipping and handling.

There are various type of  pearl necklaces available made with freshwater pearls, akoya pearls, Tahitian pearls and South sea pearls and each carry different price tags depending upon the quality, size and luster. These are all cultured pearls. Cultured pearl necklace with matching outfit always give feeling of silky smooth and feminine appeal.

Of all the pearls around the world, one is revered above all others: the South Sea Pearl. Grown in the deep seas off Australia’s coast, the South Sea pearl is prized for its brilliant gold or white shine. Shopping for South Sea pearls can be confusing. An informed shopper should gather as much information as possible so as to make an educated decision.Grading South Sea Pearls

Pearl necklaces are graded by the Five S’s: Shine, Surface, Shade, Shape and Size.Shine (Luster) is the way that light reflects and shines through the pearl. Because a pearl is an organic object, it often has Surface markings such as nicks, scratches, small indentations and discolorations. (A pearl void of such markings is considered perfect and only accounts for 5-10% of the total amount of pearls harvested each year). South Sea pearls have a wide variety when it comes to color and overtone, with different Shades being considered more desirable than others. Pearl Shape can range all the way from Baroque to Perfect-Round, with different shapes being considered more valuable than others due to their rarity. Size is the total circumference of the pearl, usually measured in millimeters. The combination of these qualities factors in to the total grade of the necklace, resulting in a rating of A, A+, AA, AA+ and AAA. The highest grade for a pearl necklace is AAA quality. AAA pearls are the most desirable and valuable. They are impressive gifts to give someone who especially cares about quality and value.South Sea Pearl Luster

Shine (Luster) is the way that light reflects from the pearl. It is the most important factor in determining a pearl’s value. Luster is what gives the pearl its iridescence and depth. Luster is determined by the thickness of pearl nacre, the coating that makes up the pearl. Very lustrous pearls have a deep-mirror like surface and a bright shine. Pearls with low luster look dull and foggy. South Sea pearls are in possession of thick, creamy nacre and are famous for their rich, silky luster.

One way to examine the luster of a pearl necklace is to lay the strand on a table and look at the pearls from 20 inches away. The sharper and clearer your reflection is on the pearls’ surface, the higher the luster.South Sea Pearl Surface

As pearls are an organic creation, they often have surface imperfections. Flawless South Sea pearls are very rare and command a much higher price. The surface of a pearl is graded by how many imperfections are visible and to what percentage they are distributed. These marks can range from small and nearly unnoticeable, to quite large and distinct. When buying pearl jewelry, be sure to examine the pearl surface carefully for these kinds of flaws.South Sea Pearl Color

South Sea Pearls have a wide variety of colors and overtones, ranging from white, silver, yellow and gold with subtle undertones of pink, blue and green.

Among these colors, deep golden or white hues are the most desirable and valuable.Golden South Sea Pearl Necklace: The deeper the golden color, the more rare and valuable the pearls are. Their beautiful glowing hue creates a sense of warmth; livening the complexion and creating a feeling of luxury.White South Sea Pearl Necklace: Famous for their rich, creamy color, White South Sea pearls can have rose or silver overtones. While pearls with silver tones are more popular, South Sea pearls with rose overtones are considered to be rarer and more valuable.

When buying a White South Sea pearl necklace, keep in mind that pearls with white body color are more valuable than those with ivory or cream. Use caution, as some sellers may sell cream South Sea pearls as white ones for a higher price.

When choosing color, keep in mind the complexion of the wearer. For example, if the wearer has a dark complexion, the golden color would be a good choice. If the wearer has a fair complexion, a white or silver hue would be nice.

When examining the color of a South Sea pearl necklace, it is best to view it under natural light. Pearl color will look slightly different under various types of lighting. Pure morning light is the ideal time. Florescent light tends to give pearls a more bluish or yellowish hue, while incandescent light lends pearls a more reddish hue.South Sea Pearl Shape

South Sea pearl shapes include perfect round, semi-round, circle, oval, button, drop, and baroque. Because symmetry is rare in nature, round shapes are the most highly valued. While a strand of round South Sea pearl necklace is the most classic and valuable, a nearly round necklace can create a similar look at a significantly reduced price. Another option to consider is a baroque necklace. Stylish and fun, it can be worn with everything from a pair of jeans to a Gucci bustier.South Sea Pearl Size

The most common sizes for South Sea Pearls are 10mm – 15mm. South Sea pearls in 16mm – 20mm are very rare and extremely valuable. Ultimately, the size of a necklace is a personal preference as it reflects individual style and personality. When choosing a size, you should consider the wearing purpose of the necklace. Generally, larger necklaces are more extravagant and create a statement; while smaller necklaces are more for everyday wear.South Sea Pearl Necklace Matching and Workmanship

It is important to examine the workmanship of a pearl necklace. Poorly matched pearls with obvious color differences will lessen the beauty of your necklace, causing its value to drop dramatically. When you receive your necklace, examine it by letting it hang off the tip of your finger. Examine whether the line of the necklace is straight, the knotted tie too tight or too loose and whether the finish is beautiful.South Sea Pearl Necklace Graduation

Graduation means that the pearls are strung from smallest to largest, starting at the clasp and ending with the largest pearl in the center of the necklace. This is traditionally done to capture the elegant, interesting look it creates.South Sea Pearl Necklace Length

When choosing pearl necklace length, keep in mind both the size of the wearer and the effect you wish to create. Traditionally 16 inches, or choker necklace length, is considered the classic look, while longer lengths are ideal for casual, business, or evening wear. It is an ideal choice for those with high necklines as well. The most popular length for a pearl necklace is 17 inches; a length that is not quite a choker yet does not drape extravagantly low on the wearer.Millimeters Vs Inches

Pearls are measured in millimeter. 1 inch is equivalent to about 25mm. Therefore, a 10mm pearl is equal to 0.4 inches.South Sea Pearl Necklace Pricing

Due to their size and rarity, South Sea pearls can be expensive. Here are some quick tips to help you in the decision making process: When selecting a necklace it is wise to choose quality over size.

High quality South Sea pearls are a statement of perfection and sophistication. Also, they are rare and have investment value. A high quality South Sea pearl necklace can last for generations.Where to Buy

When buying South Sea pearl jewelry, compare prices from both online sellers and local stores. On average, local dealers tend to charge considerably more than online sellers. It is best to buy from a trusted online source. Make sure to check the sites’ return policy, customer support, and customer reviews.

While in WWII my father sent home a necklace. On the box it says “Handmade black pearl necklace, purchased while he was in Italy.” It is black with ginger beads between pearls shapes. It looks more like mother of pearl to me, but the black incline throws me off. The pearls could be open, but to be certainly you actually indigence to get a professional evaluation each by an estate jewelry evaluater or gemologist.

Another way to tell if they are open is to rub a pearl against your teeth. If it is even, it is not open. Pearls will forever have a force that you can’t perceive visually. The ginger beads could be coral. If they are open black pearls, their treasure would depend on mass, worth and incline. Something only somebody with a “hands-on” examination could govern.

I’m departure to advertise an antique tress of pearls and a budding buyer asked to know how the pearls were “billboarded”. normally in old stuff and even some new, billboarded plainly means some means of identification of the maker or debillboarder. On antique fluteware for example, a billboardature feature may be pushed or cut into the flute. Some antique costume jewelry is “billboarded” with a makers feature and that does augment the treasure if the maker is among the common ones at the time.

For pearls, a “billboard” is grim. The only place for a billboardature or makers feature is usually on the popper zone. This will be each on the popper or the “tongue” that goes into the bigger popper body. Clasps can be tainted when pearls are restrung and a billboarded popper can forever be deduce as to the very “maker” of the pearls. If these are open or refined pearls, the treasure is probable more in the pearls than in the “billboardature”.

If these are costume pearls, the treasure is partly in the billboardature and then in the state of the tress. The state of the pearls is more imprtant than the state of the control hurt for stringing.Stringing can be and should be done evenly for pearls hurt regularly.

I have not seen pearls “billboarded” very regularly and as I said, that can be deduce as to accuracy. Look for some feature on the popper parts to see if any names or “tradefeatures” are stamped there. That will be the only billboardature you will have.

Could be the budding buyer is looking for a particular make of costume pearl or then again might be asking and not actually aware what the buyer is asking for! The best thing is for the buyer to look at the pearls and to urge you a worth. If not blissful with the worth, just waste it. Some buyers are in the topic to readvertise the stuff and only urge worths way below featureet treasures.

It is feasible to take the tress to a trained jeweler for an appraisal. If the pearls are costume, the jeweler should be able to tell right away and urge against a round appraisal. If they are very pearls, the jeweler can evaluate the tress pedestald on the pearls, not on the antique treasure. That is at slightest a first place.

I cannot see your pearl ornament but believe the pearls emit in some flowery pattern, perhaps on individual “stems” or as part of “plants.” If this is the encloseer, you have some hole between the pearls which will make vacuuming easier. If the pearls are starkly grouped cover greatly of the gold, vacuuming will be more dull and grim.

I will get into point vacuuming in a instant: First, deem attention and vacuuming of pearls in common. In a nutarmor, vacuuming the ornament manually will come down to baking beverage, a good jewelry polishing cloth and a mild detergent. You may opt for a jeweler to do the vacuuming. I will get into the points later.

“Pearls.” Composition of a pearl and why attention must be exercised in vacuuming and abrasion. Pearls form artlessly in both original and brine mollusks. The most well-known pearls are brine pearls shaped inside numerous forms of pearl oysters. While “oriental” or wholly relaxed pearls were the jewelry in ages gone, pearl rural has led to a supply of refined pearls which would be imfeasible from liberated ranging oysters and the pains of pearl divers.

Only venture will pass a liberated swimming oyster to products a pearl and only fortunate environment will control to a relaxed pearl being well-shaped, even surfaced and stunning. In pearl farms, many states are controlled to help incertainly a good crop but nowadays pollution in the waters are negative the tumor and supply of fine refined pearls.

The pearl forms around some variety of overseas point inside the oyster armor. In refined pearls, the point is a bead of mother of pearl (pearl armor) sited into the oyster by pearl farmers. since the point as an irritation, the oyster covers the point with layer and layer of a data called nacre. This is essentially the same data making the shiny and shiny lining of the armor.

Pearl nacre is made of aragonite, a variety of calcium carbonate. A organize of “pearl glue” holds together microscopic plates of aragonite. As long as the oyster is stark, the nacre forms and becomes thick over the middle, developing the patina and shine we concede as a pearl.

Why all of that information? There is one object: aragonite or calcium carbonate. This is the substance of the pearl, the nacre. This data is squashy compared to earth shaped jewelrytones. This data is certainly hurt by acids, certain chemicals and abrasive substances. The common vacuuming methods hurt for limestone jewelrytones cannot be stablely hurt to vacuum the marked metal and pearls at the same time. Where a plain gold article may be sited into a mild acid to delete dirty and glossed to repair shine, that same mild acid will carve the pearl and can actually liquefy it.

“What to prevent when vacuuming pearl jewelry?” As important as how to vacuum the jewelry is aware what “NOT” to use as a vacuumser. Commercial jewelry vacuuming liquids are too stark for pearls. Most of these vacuumers enclose ammonia and ammonia can wound the pearl, dipping the patina. Jewelry vacuumers are cute greatly ineffective in removing dirty and are debillboarded to liberated up and delete dirt and grunge more than delete dirty.

preclude any vacuumser with ammonia, chlorine or abrasives added. preclude jewelry or silver polishing cloths with a red rouge layer. The rouge is a polishing compound but the red data(iron oxide) can certainly get blocked in unseen recesses of a pearl and make the pearl horrid.

“What to use to vacuum pearls and delete dirty from metal?” Oh my, now we get into essential jostle lubricate! At home vacuuming in the safest form is done by pleasing a wet gonee of baking beverage and gently rasping the metal. If the dirty is not plain, the mild abrasive scenery of the damp beverage will delete it. Rub with your fingers on the metal only, with a squashy brush or instigate such as a wet toothpick or line ear scrub for hard to catch zones. To repair shine to the metal, survey-up with a fine worth jewelry polishing cloth metal.

I urge one of the chemically treated cloths such as “Sunshine Cloth” from a jewelry parts and tools supplier. Other like cloths are untaken at jewelry food. Frankly, many jewelry store employees don’t know greatly about the vacuuming stores that advertise. So be certainly not to get the kind with a red rouge layer, even if urgeed. ability food and jewelry food regularly use RioGrande as a supplier and should be able to get a “Sunshine Cloth” for you. Like other like cloths, light action rapidly deletes dirty. With light dirty, you may use the cloth solitary and skip the baking beverage. These cloths are hurt “as is” and are plainly discarded when hurt up.

To survey-up this vacuuming with a smart bath in a mild dish detergent is a good idea. This will delete any deposit. minimally take a mild emulsion of dish detergent like Joy (consider, no ammonia!),rub gently with the fingers, bath in welcoming water and pat dry. That is it.

“defense of the pearls.” While vacuuming the ornament, gently grasp each pearl and see if it turns on the mounting stem or inside the site. If on a stem of metal, the pearl should be deleted and re-sheltered with a obvious two part epoxy glue. This is probable a job for the jeweler to do. If weak in a tear or spine variety site, a jeweler can rapidly and gently stiffen the sites.

“Cleaning by a jewelry.” You may conclude to let a jeweler vacuum the ornament and stable any weak pearls. If pearls are deleted and re-sheltered, while the pearls are deleted the ornament may be apparatus polished to an almost like new state with no terror of wound to the pearls. If vacuumed with the pearls intact, the jeweler will use fine gyratory brushes to manila away the dirty. Then, all is vacuumed in a mild detergent emulsion usually with an ultrasonic vacuumer.

Before you do any of the equipment that I have just suggeted to you, you should go see a jewelry and ask him some of the questions that I have just mentioned. That way you get all of your pedestal sheltered and you will not dirty the pearls.

Pearl cultivation process

Pearl, unlike gemstones or precious metals, is a kind of lively gem. A natural pearl forms when an irritant, such as parasite or a piece of sand, accidentally enters the body of a particular species of oyster, mussel or clam and cannot be expelled. As a defense mechanism, the mollusk secretes a smooth, crystalline fluid, called “nacre” (the same secretion it uses for shell-building, composed mainly of carbonated calcium), to coat the intruder. As long as the irritant is present, the mollusk continues to add a layer upon a layer of nacre on the irritant until a lustrous pearl is formed. 

 

A cultured fresh water pearl, which is grown in a clam undergoes exactly the same process. The only differentce is that the irritant is a surgically implanted piece of mantle tissue. To culture fresh water pearls, skilled technicians slightly open a host clam’s shells up to 1 – 1.2 cm, cut small slits into the mantle tissue inside both shells, insert a small piece of epthelial membrane (the lip of mantle tissue) from another clam into those slits, and using a fine needle to shape it into round. After implanting, it takes five to seven days for a host clam to cover an irritant with its own tissue and 10 days later it begins producing centric layers of nacre. Tendering pearl-bearing clams is a continuous process aiming at smoothly  developing the pearls to minimize blemishes. The pains-taking process can last four to five years long.

 

Apparently, in fresh water clams, the insertion alone is sufficient to start nacre production. No artificial nucleating bead is needed. Therefore cultured fresh water pearls are composed entirely of pure nacre, making them “real” pearl, just like their natural fresh water and natural salt water counterparts.

 

Fresh water pearls

 

Although the traditional source of pearls has been oysters which live in saltwater, mollusks which live in freshwater lakes and rivers can also produce pearls. China has harvested freshwater pearls for many a millennia. The first record mentioning pearls in China was from 2206 BC. The United States was also a major source of freshwater pearls from the discovery of the New World up through the 19th century, when over-harvesting and increasing pollution significantly reduced the number of available pearl-forming mussels.

 

Freshwater pearls are often somewhat less lustrous than their salt water counterparts. However, they appear in a wide variety of shapes and colors, and they tend to be less expensive than saltwater pearls, making them quite popular. Freshwater pearls are also quite durable, resisting chipping, wear, and degeneration.

 

Freshwater pearls differ from other cultured pearls in that they are not bead-nucleated. Freshwater mollusks are nucleated by creating a small incision in the fleshy mantle tissue and inserting a piece of mantle tissue from another oyster. This process may be completed 25 times on either side of the mantle, producing up to 50 pearls at a time. The mollusks are then returned to their freshwater environment where they are tended for 2-6 years. The resulting pearls are of solid nacre, but without a bead nucleus to guide the growth process, the pearls are rarely round.

 

In recent years the Chinese have been able to take the art of culturing freshwater pearls to new levels. In the last decade the quality of pearls produced have become so high that many pearls in the top percentage of a harvest are nearly indistinguishable of their saltwater relatives. Gone are the rice-shape seed pearls as they are now being replaced with round, lustrous pearls of sizes as large as 16mm, mimicking large South Sea pearls. This has created a renewed interest in freshwater pearls as an affordable alternative to the higher priced saltwater.

 

The Japanese have a distinguished history of culturing freshwater pearls as well. Lake Biwa was once world renowned for producing high-quality freshwater pearls. However, in the mid 1970′s pearl farming all but came to a halt due to pollution in this lake that was once synonymous with freshwater pearls. Today the Japanese are trying once again to farm freshwater pearls in Lake Kasumigaura, utilizing a bead-nucleated hybrid mussel ( Hyriopsis Schlegeli anadonata/plicata hybrid mussels). The resulting pearls have been quite large and unique. But due to the high prices of such pearls the market remains a niche for collectors.

 

Fresh water vs. Akoya  

Freshwater and Akoya pearls, while both genuine pearls, differ greatly in value and composition. The three main differences are the culturing process, the nucleus, and the shape.

 

Fresh water pearls are mantle-tissue nucleated, whereas Akoya pearls are bead-nucleated. Instead of inserting a mother of pearl bead and a piece of mantle tissue into the gonad of a freshwater mollusk as is the process with an Akoya oyster, only a piece of mantle-tissue is used, and this is inserted into the mantle tissue of the freshwater mollusk, not the gonad. The result is a pearl composed of solid nacre, and the mantle tissue is eventually dissolved or drilled out.

 

Fresh water pearls are nucleated in the mantle tissue which is on either side of the oyster. This tissue is much larger than the gonad of an Akoya oyster. Therefore the freshwater mollusk can be nucleated up to 25 times on either side, for a total of 50 nucleations. An Akoya oyster, on the other hand, can handle a maximum of 5 nucleations in its gonad, but very rarely is nucleated with more than 2 beads at a time. So upon harvest, a freshwater mollusk may produce up to 50 pearls at a time, while the Akoya oyster has a maximum production of 2.

 

Freshwater mollusks are also much easier to farm. The mortality rate is much lower than that of the nucleated Akoya oysters, and fresh water farms rarely deal with natural disasters such as typhoons and red tides that plague Akoya pearl farms. (see pearl guide)

 

South Sea pearls

 

South Sea pearls are among the largest commercially harvested cultured pearls in the world. The average size of a South Sea pearl is 13mm, with most harvests producing a range of sizes from 9mm up to 20mm.

 

The South Seas lie between the northern coast of Australia and the southern coast of China. These waters are the native habitat of the large oyster, the Pinctada maxima. This oyster grows up to 12 inches in diameter, and can be nucleated with a much larger bead than other saltwater oysters such as the Akoya.

 

There are two varieties of Pinctada maxima: the silver-lipped and the gold-lipped. The two are distinguished by the coloration of the outer edge of the interior. This shell is also known as mother of pearl, and is responsible for the coloration of the cultured pearls produced.

 

Unlike the Akoya oyster, the South Sea oyster will only accept one nucleation at a time. The oyster is nucleated when it is only about half developed, from 4.7 inches to 6.7 inches in size, or about 24 months old. Although the South Sea oyster will only handle one nucleus at a time, this oyster (like the Tahitian pearl producing Pinctada margaritifera) can be nucleated up to three times over the course of many years.  

 

There are four reasons South Sea pearls can grow to such large sizes dwarfing many of their other salt water pearl counterparts. The reasons consist of: the large size of the Pinctada maxima, the size of the implanted bead, the length of time the pearl is left to grow in the oyster, and the oyster’s environment. Due to the size of the oyster it is able to accept a large bead. The gonad of the Pinctada maxima is several times larger than that of the Akoya. Because of this same reason the South Sea oyster deposits nacre around the nucleus at a much quicker rate, especially in warm water which speeds the oyster’s metabolism. The South Seas are also extremely clean, and filled with plankton – the Pinctada maxima’s favorite food source. The clean waters and abundant food supply also speeds the nacre production. The growth period for South Sea pearls is also substantially longer than that of the Akoya. Akoya pearls are harvested after only 9-16 months, where as South Sea pearls are harvested after at least 2 years. 

 

South Sea pearls have several distinct characteristics that are unique to this gem. The nacre is unusually thick, ranging from 2-6mm compared to the .35-.7mm of an Akoya pearl. South Sea pearls also have a unique, satiny lustre that comes from the rapidly deposited nacre and warm waters of the South Seas. South Sea pearls also have a subtle array of colors, typically white, silver, and golden, that are rare in other pearl types. (see pearl guide)

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