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Pearls

 

Pearls: Very Cultured
Pearls are an organic gem, created when an oyster covers a foreign object with beautiful layers of nacre. Long ago, pearls were important financial assets, comparable in price to real estate, as thousands of oysters had to be searched for only one pearl. They were rare because they were created only by chance.

Today pearls are cultured by man: shell beads are placed inside an oyster and the oyster is returned to the water. When the pearls are later harvested, the oyster has covered the bead with layers of nacre. Most cultured pearls are produced in Japan. In the warmer waters of the South Pacific, larger oysters produce South Sea cultured pearls and Tahitian black cultured pearls, which are larger in size. Freshwater pearls are cultured in freshwater mussels, mostly in China.

The quality of pearls is judged by the orient, which is the soft iridescence caused by the refraction of light by the layers of nacre, and luster, the reflectivity and shine of the surface. Fine pearls do not have any flaws or spots in the nacre: it has an even smooth texture. Other factors which affect value are the regularity of the shape, size, and color: rose tints are the most favored.

Cultured pearls and natural pearls can be distinguished from imitation pearls by a very simple test. Take the pearl and rub it (gently!) against the edge of a tooth. Cultured and natural pearls will feel slightly rough, like fine sandpaper, because of the texture of natural nacre. Imitations will feel as smooth as glass because the surface is molded or painted on a smooth bead. Contact us today to see beautiful cultured pearls.




Pinctada Fucata

Akoya
(Grown in Japan and China)

Akoya pearls are the classic cultured pearls of Japan. They are the most lustrous of all pearls found anywhere in the world. In recent years, China has been successful in producing Akoya pearls within their own waters. However, at this time they are unable to produce as brilliant a lustre as high quality Japanese Akoya cultured pearls.

Pinctada Maxima

White South Sea
(Grown in Australia, Myanmar, Indonesia and the Phillipines)

White South Sea cultured pearls are grown in large tropical or semi-tropical oysters in Australia, Myanmar, Indonesia and other Pacific countries. They generally range in size from 10mm to 20mm and command premium prices because of their relative rarity and large size.

Pinctada Margaritifera

 

Tahitian
(Grown in French Polynesia)

Tahitian cultured pearls are grown in a variety of large pearl oysters found primarily in French Polynesia. Their beautiful, unique colors (which can range from light grey to black, and green to purple) and large size can command very high prices.


Hyriopsis Schlegeli

 

Freshwater
(Grown in Japan, China, and The United States)

Freshwater pearls can be found in bays and rivers throughout the world. They are easily cultivated from freshwater mollusks in China, Japan and the United States. Many are less lustrous than salt water cultured pearls but their low price, unique shapes and colors have made them popular jewelry items in recent years.


Pteria Penguina

 

Mabe
(Grown in Japan, Indonesia, French Polynesia and Australia)

Mabe pearls are hemispherical cultured pearls grown against the inside shell of an oyster rather than within the oyster’s body. They generally are used in earrings or rings which conceal their flat backs.




When selecting a strand of cultured pearls, it’s best to buy them from a knowledgeable jeweler. We can explain how to make the most of your purchase and insure that you are getting the best quality pearls within your price range.

You can evaluate any piece of cultured pearl jewelry on the following quality factors. But always remember that the better the quality of pearls you select, the more beautiful and valued they will be over time.

  1. LUSTRE: Lustre is a combination of surface brilliance and a deep seated glow. The lustre of a good quality pearl should be bright and not dull. You should be able to see your own reflection clearly on the surface of a pearl. Any pearl that appears too white, dull or chalky indicates low quality.

  2. SURFACE: Cleanliness refers to the absence of disfiguring spots, bumps or cracks on the surface of a pearl. The cleaner the surface of the pearl, the more valuable.

  3. SHAPE: Since cultured pearls are grown by oysters in nature, it is very rare to find a perfectly round pearl. However, the rounder the pearl, the more valuable it is. Baroque pearls, which are asymmetrical in shape, can be lustrous and appealing, and often cost less than round pearls.

  4. COLOR: Cultured pearls come in a variety of colors from rosé to black. While the color of a pearl is really a matter of the wearer’s preference, usually rosé or silver/white pearls tend to look best on fair skins while cream and gold toned pearls are flattering to darker complexions.

  5. SIZE: Cultured pearls are measured by their diameter in millimeters. They can be smaller than one millimeter in the case of tiny seed pearls, or as large as twenty millimeters for a big South Sea pearl. The larger the pearl, other factors being equal, the more valuable it will be. The average sized pearl sold today is between 7 and 7-1/2 millimeters.



    Throughout history, pearls have been the gift of love. That’s why tradition has made them the bridal jewel. No other jewel conveys the warmth, depth of feeling and eternal qualities of that emotion.

    Giving the gift of love is easy with cultured pearls. As cultured pearls come in a wide variety of styles and jewelry choices, there’s a perfect pearl gift for everyone.

Suggested Occasions
Sweet Sixteen • Birthdays • Valentine's Day
Mother’s Day • June Pearl Birthstone Month
Weddings • Anniversaries
Christmas • Graduation
Business Promotions

Pearl Gifts


Necklaces • Multi-strand Bracelets
Mabe Pearl Pendants
"Add-A-Pearl" Necklaces
Pearl Cluster Ring • Single Pearl Rings
Stud Earrings
Mabe Pearl Earrings • Tassel Earrings
Cluster Earrings • South Sea Pearl Drop Earrings
Brooches • Cufflinks • Tie tacks

Freshwater Cultured Pearl Graduated Necklace

 

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