Category: Pearl Jewelry

Mother of pearl jewelry is among the prettiest and more versatile collections of accessories that a woman can wear. Given that a woman can put on a simple yet elegant necklace and matched pair of earrings to go out in the use of pearls is something that is pleasing to the eye without being overboard. Worn with an evening gown or with a pair of jeans the right pieces of jewelry add to the mystery of a woman without being too flashy or gaudy. While gold and silver have their place a one of a kind necklace that is created from a strand of pearls adds to any outfit that a woman can wear.

As a man who appreciates when a woman dresses up for him, I like to see the more unusual pieces of jewelry being worn when I am escorting my wife out to dinner or a play. While she owns a collection of gold and silver necklaces and pendants it is the sophistication of mother of pearl that looks the most amazing on her. Whether we are having a casual lunch together or dressing up for an evening that requires a more formal approach to our attire the accents of jewelry only enhance the beauty of the woman that I married.

On the occasions when my wife is dressed down she still finds an item of jewelry to complete her look. With natural gemstone jewelry she can adorn her neck with a pendant that is tasteful and elegant while still being casual in jeans and a blouse. Like many women that love to accessorize with items of jewelry that are unique in their design I find that my wife appreciates the gifts that I give her. Whether for her birthday or our anniversary or at other times of the year when I come across a piece of jewelry that I think she will enjoy I make it a point to purchase gifts that are thoughtful and that I know she will appreciate.

Although I do not give jewelry as often as I would like to, I do find that I am rewarded at the times when I surprise my sweetheart with a new set of earrings or mother of pearl jewelry that is perfect for any occasion. A romantic at heart I know that when it comes to my wife I want her to always look her best which is why I make it a point to complement her daily and treat her like the beautiful queen that she is.

A pearl is basically derived from a shelled mollusk. It is made up of calcium carbonate and is usually hard and spherical in shape. Because of their beauty and rarity, people have developed a sort of craziness for pearls, especially women. And probably that’s why Pearl farming has emerged as one of the largest commercial industry in the past few decades. It is the process whereby cultured pearls are grown on farms. Many oysters are then nucleated and reared for around two to five years, to develop into a pearl. But the farm needs utmost care throughout the process since it can be easily destroyed by both controllable and uncontrollable factors.

Tahitian pearl farms have been very popular in the past and still their popularity is touching new heights every single day. Interestingly, despite the name Tahitian Pearls, they are not a product of Tahiti Island and Tahiti doesn’t posses any pearl farms at all. Most of them are located in French Polynesia. A Tahitian pearl is a combination of black and green color. These pearls are produced in black lipped oyster naming -Pinctada margaritifera-. These pearls are not completely black but are also available in many other colors like: – green, silver and charcoal. Proper black color pearls are extremely beautiful and rare to find.

Indeed, these pearls are an eye candy but have we ever thought what it cost to get the delight of these pearls. Many pearl farmers are using inappropriate methods for pearl cultivation which is damaging our ecosystem. We should not forget that in our need and greed, that we are also disturbing the nature and exploiting the resources. Sustainable pearl farming methods of aquaculture should be adopted by the farmers so that our fragile ecosystem is not disturbed. We must respect the nature and always use most sustainable farming methods. Moreover, today the customers also value the products more which are nurtured in a respectful and sustainable manner.

The farmers can also opt for ecological pearl farming methods to avoid the wastage of natural resources. Ecological farming ensures healthy food and farming solutions, for today and tomorrow. It basically promotes the idea of protecting biodiversity, soil, water and climate and not using chemical based fertilizers and pesticides. Adopting ecological farming methods reduces the risk of soil erosion.

The real story behind fine pearl jewelry.

Most people understand that fine pearl jewelry is made from pearls grown in oyster clams beneath the water. But what is missing is the truth behind which and what pearls come from where. There is always a story behind the most sort after pieces of jewellery.

It is interesting to note that Keshi Pearls come from China, and are considered cultured, not natural pearls. These cultured pearls are used in all types of jewelry, including necklaces, bracelets, rings and earrings. Although stunning, they are not considered the best in the world.

Other cultured pearls such as Akoya, and South Sea Pearl are great quality and hold their value well. They are not however considered unique or ‘special’. On the other hand, Black Pearls are very rare and can’t be mass grown.

It is important to understand the eight different pearl shape types when researching your pearls. The eight main shapes include round, circled, drop, pear, button, semi-round, oval and baroque. The different shapes go with different garnments and apparel, so be sure you know what you are looking for. With many different colors, fine pearl jewelry can suit any occasion. Colors range from white, pink, champagne, green, black, purple, and blue as the main colors.

Finding the right pearl necklace can also be a lot of fun with many different descriptions for the lengths. Just to give you an idea, a standard collar measures 10-13 inches; A pearl choker is 14-16 inches long, Princess length is 17- 19 inches, while a Matinee length is 20-24 inches, and an Opera length is 28-35 inches, compared to a delightful Pearl Rope being 45 inches in length. Wow, there is a lot in this.

The value of a pearl is almost always determined by symmetry, size, color, lack of surface flaws and luster, and what makes the pearl jewelry so valuable. Often there are other jewels attached, or the workmanship, but primarily it is the pearl itself that holds the value. Now consider the rarity and glamor that the indiviual pieces mean to its wearer. Elegance, uniqueness and class. it is something that imitation mass produced pearl jewelry just cannot muster.

The gift of fine pearl jewelry is a real way to say “I Care”, and “you are unique”. Finally, real pearl jewellery can be passed on as family heirlooms, and remain important for generations to come.

Pearls: Why Simulate If They’re Cultured?
Man’s fascination and love with luminous pearls dates back to ancient times. Glorious myths and folklore surrounds this gem which was once reserved only for royalty. Natural pearls, from days of yore, were created from a small irritant being trapped in a mollusk. The organism, out in the wild, would try to rid itself of the pest by secreting nacre over the problem all while trying to survive the elements and attack from predators. Its a wonder that a pearl ever came into existence.

Because the demand was so high for these natural beauties and the supply was so limited, culturing techniques were developed. Today, we have saltwater pearl culturing which involves a mother of pearl bead nucleus and a piece of mantle tissue and we have freshwater culturing which involves only mantle tissue. Both of these processes allow us to have these glowing gems that have captured our hearts. However, even with culturing, the supply isnt endless. The method is long and tedious and Mother Nature can still eliminate an entire crop of pearls before a single one is ever harvested.

Fine gem quality pearls are so rare, as only 20% of a pearl harvest will yield pearls suitable for pearl jewelry and only 20% of that will be considered gem quality. So, even a cultured pearl can be quite rare and expensive. Simple demand and lack of supply, as well as man’s desire to mimic nature, has prompted the development of the pearl stimulate.

The creation of simulated pearls actually dates back to the first century when Wang Chhung wrote about a process to make pearls from chemicals that were just as brilliant as genuine ones in his book Lun Heng in the year A.D. 83. In the 17th century, a French rosary maker by the name of Jacquin developed a coating made from fish scales and varnish creating essence dorient or pearlessence. He then took glass beads, coated the inside with the solution and then filled them with wax.

Historical records have also shown that Native Americans and people from tribes throughout other parts of the world have created a version of simulated pearl as well using clay beads that have been coated with a fish scale solution and then baked in the sun.

Pearls: Selecting a Sensational Simulate
The whole idea behind wearing a pearl simulate is to capture the beauty and elegance of nature’s prized organic gempearl.

Sometimes, just the mere inference of pearls is all that is needed and desired as in the beads generally given away at a New Years Eve party or thrown from a float at Mardi gras. For these two instances, inexpensive plastic beads usually fit the bill. These types of pearl simulate only calls for a shape form and a glossy coating for the look of an expensive treasure. Nice quality plastic beads can also create nice quality pearls if the proper techniques and care have been adhered to. In this case, the plastic bead is actually tumbled to remove grinding marks on the surface and then multiple coatings of a pearl film solution are applied to the bead.

Glass beads have been and still are a favored choice for making simulated pearls. One of the most famous pearl simulates using glass beads is the Majoirca Pearl. This jewelry is created in Majorica Spain and originated back in 1890 from a German immigrant Eduardo Hugo Heusch. Hand crafted glass beads are then dipped in a high quality of essence dorient and polished between each of the coatings. A special final coating is applied to the surface and then the Majorica pearls are put under ultraviolet radiation. The companys reputation for fine quality demands that a strict code be adhered to so that each lady who receives her Majoirica pearls will be proud of their jewels.

Pearlfection is one of the most widely sought after and collected pearl simulates. This process actually involves using a type of mother of pearl bead nucleus as the base. Multiple coatings of a lab created solution that includes organic matter found around the pearl beds are applied to the nucleus to mimic Mother Natures work. The result is the perfect pearl. Most ladies who collect and wear Pearlfection enjoy the fact that these pearl simulates are so close to the look, feel and weight of the genuine pearl that friends can rarely tell the difference. This line of created pearl is compared to the rare south sea gems.

Pearls: The Sky’s the Limit with a Fabulous Simulate
With the creation of pearl simulates, now there really is a pearl for every lady. Girls from every walk of life can enjoy the polished look that accessorizing with pearls brings. Fine quality simulated pearls can be likened to the created diamond simulate Moissanite or a good cubic zirconia. The purpose is the sameto own jewelry that looks like you paid so much more than what you really did. The idea is to have pieces that are so well made that others will have a hard time knowing that it isnt the real deal.

Pearl simulates like Majorica and Pearlfection allow ladies to have look of the luxurious gem quality pearl necklace without the extreme price tag. Not everyone can afford a $75,000 strand of south sea pearls, but with Pearlfection, you can have the look. Is a price tag of $2,000 a bit steep for a pearl bracelet made with fine Japanese pearls? Well, with Majorica, you can have that look for a fraction of the cost.

A nice quality simulated pearl also allows you to build your wardrobe with fine gems quickly. Genuine diamonds, gemstones, gold, silver and even pearls can be mixed and matched effortlessly when combined with fine pearl simulates.

Pearls: How to Care For Simulates
Caring for your simulated pearls is no more difficult than caring for the genuine cultured gems. The principles are very similar. A damp soft cloth is all you need to gently wipe the surface of your jewelry. Never use a professional ultra-sonic machine because harsh chemicals will ruin the surface just like in the case of genuine cultured pearls.

Use the rule of last on first off with your jewelry too. This simply means put your jewelry on AFTER your hairspray, perfume and cosmetics have dried. Then at the end of the day, take them off FIRST.

Take care to not scratch the surface as many of the gems have been treated not only with multiple coatings of pearly substance but also with a final protective coating. Scratching the surface means running the risk of ruining your surface. For all of your jewelry, check the knotting on strands and bracelets. Occasionally have them restrung and knotted if necessary.

It’s always a good idea to adhere to the manufactures care tips when cleaning your simulated pearl jewelry. With these few simple care tips, your simulated pearl jewelry can last a lifetime and then some.

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I have been a well-known international designer my entire life. You may have seen me on Home Shopping Network, The Shopping Channel in Canada, Jupiter Shop Channel in Japan or perhaps you have worn clothing or jewelry that I have designed for famous fashion houses such as Oleg Cassini, Bill Blass, Rafaella, Colleen Lopez of Home Shopping Network, or
Ivanna Trump of The Shopping Channel of Canadajust to name a few. I am a seasoned designer and an expert in freshwater pearl jewelry. One might say I have my “BLACK-BELT” in shopping!

I have lived in China for many years and have produced jewelry designs in pearl jewelry, freshwater pearl necklaces, pearl earrings, bridal jewelry, and jewelry with semi-precious stones for the biggest and the Best names in the business! Being able to speak basic Mandarin Chinese helped me to develop freshwater pearls with the pearl farmers in the province of Zhuji in Maniland China.

Pearls take 2 to 4 years to grow and develop “nacre” before they can be harvested. One must have patience. However, China has a huge land mass and natural lakes and freshwater ponds which are a perfect habitat for growing freshwater pearls.

Freshwater cultured pearls come from freshwater mussels and are produced by the countries of Japan, China, and the United States. Freshwater shell and pearl mussels are from the species called Unionidae, from which about 20 different varieties are commercially harvested. The tones of the freshwater cultured pearls are dictated by the mother shell. White is the most common color for natural pearls, followed by pink. Other colors depend on the type of mussels.

Freshwater pearls and cultured pearls are one in the same. The pearls are grown in freshwater and cultured to encourage natural nacre and a deep luster. Some people think cultured pearls are fake pearls. They are not. They are real pearls. Farm-raised pearls are real pearls grown in fresh water from mussels while saltwater pearls are grown from oysters. The chemical which creates nacre produced by the freshwater pearl mussel that
forms the pearls is identical to the chemical produced by the saltwater pearl oyster.

When a foreign material such as a piece of shell, a bead, or muscle tissue is inserted into a mussel and cannot be expelled; the live mollusk, in order to reduce irritation, coats the irritant with the a secretion which it uses for shell-building called nacre. Nacre is the pearlized luster surface which covers the pearls.

In order to culture freshwater mussels, pearl farmers slightly open their shells, cutting slits into the mantle tissue. They insert small pieces of live mantle tissue or other irritant shapes into those slits. In
freshwater mussels that insertion alone is sufficient to start nacre production which is similar to tearing. The mussels tear just as a human eye would tear if an irritant were in the eye. Most cultured freshwater pearls are composed entirely of nacre, just like their natural freshwater and natural saltwater shells.

Now China is in what we call the Cultured Pearl Revolution. Starting in the 1990s, China surprised the world gem market with products that are revolutionizing pearling. The shapes, luster, and colors of the new Chinese production often match original Japanese Biwah quality and sometimes even surpass it.

A designers life work is showing people how to do something they have never done before. My experience of living and working in China for many years has given me a unique insight into the world of freshwater pearls. I have watched the pearl industry grown for many years. I have compiled a detailed report of information that can really help you.

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