PEARL

Good news is that pearls have become affordable and the quality has improved. There was a time when natural pearls cost a fortune and were domain of rich and famous people but not any more. More and more people are buying pearls because of its natural lustrous appeal. But natural pearls are rare and all pearls sold in the domestic and international markets are all cultured pearls and are known by various names such as freshwater pearls, akoya pearls or akoya seawater pearls, Tahitian pearls, South sea pearls.

What are cultured pearls then? A Japanese man named Kokichi Mikimoto back in early 20th Century developed the culturing technique. He had mastered the culturing technology in growing the pearls naturally in seawaters but with little human help. This technique of growing cultured pearls is popularly known as the bead-nucleating technology. Ever since there has been great demand for these cultured pearls which are worn everyday by all women around the world.

A very small mantle tissue beads are implanted inside the mollusks or oysters to form beautiful pearls. Pearls are formed inside the body of oysters. The mollusk deposits layer of nacre, a combination of crystalline and organic substances, when any irritant or parasite enters or placed inside its body. Over a period of time with nacre building up in layers upon layers, the pearl is formed.

Difference in cultured and natural pearls can’t be made with naked eyes; however, distinction becomes very prominent when seen through x-rays. Cultured pearls are used in pearl jewelry as well as in cosmetics.

Pearls are evaluated by the quality, size, shape and type of pearls. Luster is the hallmark for any pearl. Although white color is synonymous with pearls but they do come in various other natural shades link cream, rose overtones, pink, gray, peacock black, golden and lavender etc.

Women have always been enchanted by the beautiful and the gorgeous appeal of fine pearl jewelry. Each piece of fine pearl jewelry stands for its own beauty and style. Pearl jewelry is considered to be the best and perfect gifts for loved ones among other jewelry. Pearls natural shine is very appealing and adding the complete pearl set to any wardrobe is an excellent choice by many.

CULTURED PEARLS

Cultured pearls are natural gems. Its natural beauty is unique and used in pearl jewelry. Pearls achieve their most distinctive beauty that comes from the reflection of light through the layers of crystalline nacre. In other words, the unique luster of pearls depends upon the reflection and refraction of light emanating from its translucent layers. The transparent nacre provides the deep shine and the high reflection. The iridescence or opalescence in pearl is caused by the over lapping of successive layers. The luster is the essence of beauty of all pearls types. A high quality lustrous pearl will emit a brilliant and equal reflection with fine radiance.

All pearls sold now in both domestic and international markets are cultured pearls and are known by various names such as cultured pearls, freshwater pearls, akoya pearls or akoya seawater pearls, Tahitian pearls, south seawater pearls. Natural pearls are rarity now. These pearls culturally grown in fresh waters as well as seawaters and their growth and harvesting period vary from region to region and the methods used by the pearl farms. Cultured pearls are real pearls that are formed naturally by a mollusk with the human help. Pearls emanate certain warmth and glow not found in other gems, due to their unique formation inside oysters’ body. These cultured pearls are very good in quality and their lustrous appeal.

Cultured pearls are formed inside the body of oysters. The mollusk deposits layer of nacre, a combination of crystalline and organic substances, when any irritant or parasite enters or placed inside its body. Over a period of time with nacre building up in layers upon layers, the pearl is formed. Akoya pearls are the classic cultured pearls of Japan and known for its best lustrous appeal. The bead-nucleating technology of producing cultured pearls was developed and perfected by Kokichi Mikimoto of Japan in early 20th Century. Now China is the leading source of all cultured pearls - freshwater and akoya pearls.

Difference in cultured and natural pearls can’t be made with naked eyes; however, distinction becomes very prominent when seen through x-rays. Cultured pearls are used in pearl jewelry as well as in cosmetics. Cultured pearls have always been the preferred choice of all women and revered as one of the most beautiful and magical gems on this earth. Cultured pearls are now available in high lustrous quality and much affordable prices than ever before.

Although white color is synonymous with cultured pearls but they do come in various other natural shades link cream, rose overtones, pink, gray, peacock black, golden and lavender etc. Value of these gorgeous cultured pearls vary according to the type of these pearls and again it all depends upon size, color and brilliance of these pearls and pearl jewelry in each category of these types.

WHITE PEARLS

It was a common belief that a gift of white pearls ensured the happiness of married couples. White pearls are the favorite of women in the U.S and Europe. White pearls are very famous for its natural luster and purity. The iridescence that some pearls display is caused by the overlapping of successive layers in a pearl, which breaks up light falling on the surface. White pearls are predominately of freshwater pearls and akoya pearls types. White pearls compliment all styles and color of dresses from casual to classy. Women look very elegant and graceful wearing white pearls around their necklines. Brides love white pearl jewelry and white pearls are the perfect wedding or anniversary gifts. High quality white pearls are very round in shapes and have perfect clean surfaces.

When choosing for quality white pearls, it’s important to keep in mind the nacre thickness, luster, surface texture, shape and size etc. Before the days of cultured pearls, all natural pearls were generally of white colors with a creamy or pinkish tinge. White pearls could have one or more overtones. White pearls can also be colored enhanced with peach, lavender, yellow, green, blue, brown, purple, or black etc. White pearls have become very affordable now and our association with direct pearl farms helps us to procure the best quality pearls and we offer customers all our pearl jewelry at wholesale discounted prices.