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| PEARLS GUIDE: |
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Given the wide array of pearl types, colors, sizes and qualities available on the market, we can understand the challenging task of choosing which one is right for you, from whom to buy and what price. Here you will find the valuable and very useful information to help you understand and decide which suits you best and your taste.
EVOLUTION OF PEARLS
Pearls
are natural products of an oyster's body defense mechanism. They grow inside their mother oysters with a shimmering iridescence, luster and soft inner glow that is unlike any other gem on the earth. Pearls are produced by certain mollusks, primarily by oysters. They are formed inside the shell of certain bivalve mollusks and when an irritant foreign object enters or the nucleus is implanted inside its shell, the mollusk will then start depositing or surrounds layers upon layers of substance around it. This substance is commonly referred to as nacre and is a combination of calcium carbonate held together by an organic compound called conchiolin. Reflection and refraction from the translucent layers truly determines the unique luster quality of pearls. The display of iridescence in pearls is result of overlapping of successive layers. Pearl farming is done in lakes, rivers, seawater and climatic conditions are the big factors. A pearl, after all, is a product from Nature.
DIFFERENCE BETWEEN CULTURED AND NATURAL PEARLS
Natural pearls grow naturally in oysters living at sea without the human intervention. When any irritant or a parasite enters inside an oyster or mollusk then the process of natural coating begins with layer upon layer of nacre inside the oyster. But natural pearls are rarely found now-a-days. On the other hand culture pearls are very real and genuine. These cultured pearls are formed with the human help when a nucleus is implanted inside the oyster and then the process of coating begins with layers upon layers of an iridescent substance called nacre and it takes about 2-5 years to form a complete pearl depending upon techniques and where it is grown, sea or rivers among other conditions. All the pearls found and sold in the market today are cultured pearls, be it fresh water or seawater pearls.
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- Freshwater Pearls.
- Seawater Pearls - akoya pearls, tahitian pearls and south sea water pearls.
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FRESHWATER PEARLS These types of pearls are typically harvested in ponds, lakes and rivers. Although many parts of the world have pearl-producing mussels, most are generally found in the Yangtze River Delta region of China, some Far Eastern countries, Kasumigaura lakes of Japan and also in the Mississippi River Basin of America.
Freshwater pearls
are available in various shapes, sizes and colors. They have become very popular now because of their best quality and affordability. Many designers also make jewelry of freshwater pearls.
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SEAWATER PEARLS:
These types of cultured pearls are similar to freshwater pearls but they are grown in the seawater around the world.
Seawater pearls are typically more expensive. Their quality is normally superior and often take longer time to harvest. Sea water climatic conditions
vary from region to region and affect the growth and cultivation of oysters producing such types of pearls. Sea Water cultured pearls are also known
by various popular names such as Akoya Pearls, South Sea Pearls, Tahitian Pearls:
- Akoya Saltwater Pearlsare well sought after because of their brilliant luster and quality.
Akoya pearls are produced from the pinctada fucata martensii oysters family. They are farmed in seawaters and are predominately grown in Japan and China and in some other small areas of Far Eastern Asian regions. Back in the early 20th century Kokichi Mikimoto of Japan had invented the bead-nucleating technique and had patented it.
Akoya pearls
are also available in many colors such as white, gray, pink and silver overtones and can be colored-dyed. Because if their nearly perfect round shape, bright luster quality and color brilliance they have always been the preferred choice for many women, retailers and designers alike. At pearl princess, we sell the most excellent pearl quality and our pearl jewelry is known for its Par Excellence quality.
- Tahitian PearlsMost people believe that these pearls come from Tahiti Islands only.
They can be found in other Pacific Islands nearby as well. Other very well known farming areas of Tahitian pearls are French Polynesia, the Micronesian Islands and the Cook Islands. Some Tahitian type pearls come from the Far Eastern Asian regions also.
Tahitian pearls
are known for their natural black color all over the world but these pearls come in light, creamy white, gray and peacock green too. Tahitian type pearls are formed in Black-Lipped Oysters or Pinctada margaritifera.
These pearls are bead-nucleated and the nacre is typically thick. Normal average pearl sizes are 9mm-14mm.To make a single well matching size pearl strand takes a huge amount of efforts to hand-pick the right size from hundred of loose pearls. These pearls are not very expensive but are very unique and most sought after as they are naturally black in color.
- South Sea water pearlsThese types of pearls are grown around the northwest coastal seawater areas of Australia.
Japan, Indonesia, Thailand, Myanmar and Philippines also produce limited quantities of South Sea pearls. The gestation period is also generally longer than Freshwater and Akoya types of pearls. Seawater oysters are white-lipped and bigger in sizes. These Pinctada maxima oysters during their growing period are closely monitored for the growth of pearls. Seawater climatic conditions, unpredictable as they are, often affect the quality, size and quantity and human have no control over it. The perfect spherical round shape are the best kind of Seawater pearls and command higher prices.
SYNETHETIC OR IMITAION PEARLS
The name itself suggests that these are artificial pearls and are man made in the factories and are color dyed. These imitation pearls are look alike pearls. These are mostly used in fine
Jewelry and have no values as such. Synthetic pearl necklaces can be bought perhaps less than ten dollars in the market. To mislead customers, words like “fashion, faux, simulated, organic, man-made, ‘Mallorca’,” are often used. They are made of glass, plastic and shell beads and lacquered with pearlescence.
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PEARLS
Natural pearls are rarity now and almost all the pearls available and sold around the world in both domestic and international markets today are all cultured pearls. Pearls are available in different types, sizes, shapes and colors.
There are SIX major factors that determine the value of any type of pearls and accordingly pearl grading from A to AAA+ are done by the jewelers based upon the followings:
- Pearl luster: It’s all about luster. A very high luster commands higher value. Luster is a combination of both surface brilliance and inner glow.
- Pearl Nacre: Nacre is a natural substance the oyster secretes to protect it’s sensitive flesh. Nacre means the iridescent internal layer of a mollusk shell. The thin nacre is very prone to peeling and chipping. The thicker layer commands more value because of its greater luster depth.
- Pearl Surface: Top quality pearls have mirror like finish and without any blemishes on it’s surface. If the outer surface area is very clean and no blemishes such pearls carry higher value in the market.
- Pearl Size: Large size pearls usually carry higher prices. Pearls are commonly measured in millimeters (mm) through their diameter; Even 1 mm makes the difference. Sizes between 6.5mm and 7.5mm are generally popular but again it depends one’s taste and choice.
- Pearl Color: means body color or surface color The natural pearl colors are white, black, champagne, green, gray, aqua and gold. Within each category there are common overtones. Most irradiated or dyed pearls have surface colors only.
6. Pearl Shape: 4. Pearls grow in various shapes and sizes. Pearls can be of round shapes, coin shapes, potato shapes, drop tear shapes, pear shapes and irregular shaped baroque pearls etc. Near round or off round shapes are very much common, great in demand and are sold all over. The perfectly round shapes always have high pearl values. .
At Pearl Princess, online Pearl Jewelry Store, shop for the superb and the finest quality Pearls, Pearl necklaces, Pearl Jewelry, Pearl Earrings, Pearl Pendants, Bridal jewelry and Gifts
Not only we provide the best quality pearl jewelry but every pearl jewelry order comes with Certificate of Authenticity/Appraisal Report with our 90 days return policy.
Buying the finest quality pearl jewelry in your price range is always the wisest choice. Finest quality pearls exhibit higher luster and look more attractive and gorgeous.
www.pearlprincess.com
Pearl History |
Pearl Type |
Pearl Size |
Pearl Grading |
Pearl Necklace Length |
Pearl Care |
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