Clutches for Less

Posts Tagged ‘pearls’

From emerald cut engagement rings. Pearl Jewellery is something a lot of women love and Jewellery made from pearls have always held a certain classiness to its composition. With pearl Jewellery, you will need to do a few things to keep them looking lovely and clean. Aside from certain maintenance techniques that you need to follow to keep them from losing their luster, there also certain things you need to avoid to help keep them in good condition.

General Maintenance and Care

Pearl Jewelry comes in many different types but are all made basically of the same composition, so the things you should avoid for one kind of pearl is the same kind of thing that you have to avoid for the others. Since a pearl is an organic Diamond,  there are certain substances that will take away some of its inherent shine and among the things that can destroy a pearl’s natural beauty are alcohol and acids. As much as you want to smell nice and look nice while wearing your precious pearl Jewellery, you should avoid the contact of your pearls with hairspray and perfume as these substances contain certain chemical components that can strip your pearl Jewellery of its lustrous glow. Sweat can also affect pearls and as such, when your pearls are touched by any of these substances, you should carefully wipe them off. You can use a damp cloth for this or you can wash your pearls in mild soapy water to get rid of any substances that may eventually affect the beauty of your pearl Jewelry.

Keep Pearls Away from These
Another thing you should do with pearl Jewellery is to keep it protected from high temperatures and from direct sunlight. Other substances that need to be avoided also include vinegar, detergents and fruit juices. These can also cause a certain amount of deterioration to your Jewelry so you should try and keep your pearls away from these.

Storage Is Important too

Maintenance is also a must and storage is part of maintenance. When you store your pearl Jewellery, make sure that your pearls are placed in a compartment or box all on its own to avoid being scratched by other pieces of Jewellery. As hard as pearls may be, there is still a tendency for them to get scratched and keeping them safe in their own padded compartment will keep them safe.  

Having and wearing pearl Jewelry is a source of pride for a lot of pearl owners and knowing how to keep them clean, safe from deterioration and damage are some of the  things that every pearl Jewellery owner should know.

For more see princess diamond solitaire engagement rings and Unique Cushion Cut Engagement Rings Over ,000.

With the holidays fast approaching, the countdown has begun and holiday stress is in full swing. No matter how many lists you make and how many times you look them over, there is always doubt about your purchases. Everyone wants to be sure they buy the perfect gift for the special people on their holiday list. Making trip after trip out to the busy stores can be stressful enough; you don’t need to second guess your selections. So, this year try holiday shopping the stress free way – online.

What could be better than sitting in the comfort of your own home in your sweats with a cup of hot chocolate perusing the stores on your computer screen? Online shopping has increased in popularity, and the security measures and reliability are now much better. it is easy to browse the inventory of literally hundreds of stores and see pictures of every item. Many online stores are offering great holiday discounts as well to encourage more customers to shop online. You can often times find free shipping and online only items at deep discounts.

One great holiday gift option for all the women on your list is jewelry. Jewelry stores can often times be a high-pressure sales environment. Lots of times you might leave with a piece of jewelry that you aren't even sure is what you wanted. Shopping for jewelry online can really relieve a lot of this stress. You can take your time browsing inventory of many different stores, comparing styles and prices with no pressure. It’s also very easy to research the company and how reliable their service and products are. Just be sure to check what date you need to order by to guarantee holiday delivery, and familiarize yourself with the return policy.`

A very popular jewelry gift item this season is pearls. This classic gemstone has made a comeback into the top fashion trends. There are so many options out there but you really can’t go wrong with any pearl. A great option is a pearl gift set. Choose either a sleek and sophisticated Tahitian pearl or a traditional white Akoya pearl and run with it. You can find some beautiful gift sets that include a single strand necklace and a pair of earrings. If you want to go simple, this is the perfect gift set to choose. There are even some great alternatives to a classic white pearl like lavender or peach.

If you want to step it up a bit this holiday season, add on to the gift set idea. Find the perfect gift set base, like a strand of Tahitian pearls with single stud earrings. Then shop around the same site for a bracelet and ring to match. If you chose a single strand necklace, choose a similar style bracelet. Let’s say you found the perfect strand of peacock colored Tahitian pearls large in size. A perfect addition to a gift set would be a single strand bracelet with the same color pearls but a little bit smaller in size. To round out the set, throw in a large Tahitian pearl set in an 18 karat gold setting. No woman could resist a gasp when she opens a gift box filled with beautiful Tahitian pearls.

Another great choice is the more classic Akoya pearl. It’s very popular right now to layer pearls together for a bold look. A great idea is to shop around online and find the perfect long strand of white, peach or lavender Akoya pearls and buy multiple strands. Pair these strands with a simple drop earring that has one pearl hanging down. This simple look is a great addition to any jewelry collection. She can wear both the necklaces and earrings with both business attire or out on the town. Wrap them together in the same gift display box for a sure-fire hit.

There are many different colours and types of pearls on the market today that even pearl connoisseurs get a little confused! Those that want to buy pearl earrings just don’t know where to start. With this in mind, here is a useful guide to help you along the way and give you some background into the world of pearls.

Tell Me About Tahitian Pearls – Are They All Black?

You would think that these pearls come from Tahiti but actually they don’t, and they’re also not exclusively black in colour. Tahitian pearls are also bought in colours other than black, such as blue, green and grey. And they’re grown in the lagoons of small islands that are part of a group known as French Polynesia.

Cultured Vs Natural Pearl Earrings

If there is an oyster or mollusc on the seabed and something makes its way inside, like a parasite, then this is how natural pearls are formed. To protect itself, the animal coats the irritant in nacre – a combination of organic substances that also makes up what we call mother of pearl. It takes time for the nacre layers to build up, but when the newly-formed pearl is retrieved, it proves that it is worth the wait.

Cultured pearls are formed in the same way as natural pearls, with one big difference: they get their start not by chance, but deliberately, when man intervenes with nature. Man’s input is such that he will place something inside the oyster which speeds up the pearl-making process. At the end of it all, you have some beautiful cultured pearls that end up in the shops for you to buy pearl earrings or pearl necklaces etc.

Are Saltwater Pearls Better Than Freshwater Pearls?

Many people would say that the quality of cultured freshwater pearls are better value than the saltwater versions. Not so long ago, cultured pearls didn’t have the same quality and lustre that they have today, but thanks to improved culturing techniques, these pearls are now stunning items to buy and treasure.

With so many colours to choose from, freshwater cultured pearls are now the best option for people who like to express themselves through colourful jewellery. Universally flattering lavender pearls are very popular right now. For others, it is the appeal of white pearls which makes them purchase. Stunning black pearls, which are treated with dye, are rising up the style stakes too, and many people like the fact they are a little out of the ordinary.

Overall, freshwater pearls are more plentiful than other pearl types, thus they are generally more affordable. So, for all the pearl fans out there, there has never been a better time to buy pearl earrings.

Melo pearls are also called Vietnamese Orange pearls. They are a different kind of pearl altogether. They don’t come from oysters or other mollusks, the way other pearls do. They come from predatory sea snails that populate the coasts of Burma, Vietnam, Cambodia, Indonesia, and Thailand. The process is the same as for normal pearls - a foreign substance is introduced to the inside of the gastropod shell and a pearl is formed over time.

The difference is that the pearl produced is non-nacreous. It is a natural calcareous concretion, which means that the chemical process that takes place inside the snail is different from the process that takes place inside an oyster for a traditional pearl. The result is a pearl without luster – the surface of the pearl is much like a piece of porcelain.

Though some clams produce non-nacreous pearls without luster, the thing that makes a Melo pearl unique is its color and its flame-like pattern. Because in most cases a pearl takes on color attributes of its shell host, the Melo pearls come out in varying shades of orange. They can range from dark orange to the palest shade of orange (almost white) and have an interesting flame – like design that occurs naturally. This can be caused by lamella, which occurs in thin layers over the surface of the pearl.

These types of pearls are very rare, about as rare as Tahitian pearls, (also known as Tahitian black pearls or sometimes just called black pearls) and current research shows that unlike the Tahitian pearls, Melo pearls have yet to be cultured successfully. In fact, some say that the color fades with time, leaving a non-lusterous orb.

Since so many people are keen to research and study these pearls, so enterprising fisherman are harvesting them and selling them to the highest bidder. Veteran fishermen in Burma say that the likelihood of finding a Melo pearl is one per one thousand Melo snail shells. Even though dealers and traders are keen to get their hands on one of these beauties now, the Melo pearls have traditionally been used practically. In fact, certain religious sects treasure the shell of the snail more than a pearl that would be found in it. The shells became horns used in religious ceremonies.

As for the Melo pearls, up until buyers had an interest in them, the people in these costal villages would create ashtrays and dishes out of the shells and would give the round Melo pearls to their children to play marbles with. As for the non-spherical pearls, they may have been used for other purposes, or they may have been tossed back into the sea.

While you might not be able to buy a Melo pearl necklace at this time, you can soothe your urge for a special and rare pearl by looking into Tahitian pearls, which come in stunning shades of black; or South Sea pearls, which come in warm gold colors.

There are so many different varieties of pearls out there in the world and it’s sometimes difficult to tell them apart. It starts with the basics; pearls are either freshwater or saltwater, obviously depending on where they are grown and harvested. The various types of pearls get broken down from there. Among the known types of pearls are Tahitian Pearls and Akoya Pearls.  Among the lesser known types of pearls are the South Sea, Cortez and Keshi pearls. They are all different and unique in their own ways.

The South Sea pearl is among the largest in the world with an average size of about 13mm. The actual oysters these pearls are harvested from are also massive in size. They can grow to be 12 inches in diameter and produce pearls anywhere from 9mm to 20mm in size. Unlike akoya oysters which can accept more than one nucleation, the South Sea pearl oyster can only accept one nucleation at a time.

There are a few reasons why South Sea pearls are so large compared to other pearls. The large size of the actual oyster is the first reason for the large pearl size. Because the oyster is so large, it allows for more room for the pearl to develop. Another reason for the large size is the size of the implanted bead. The bead that the oyster is implanted with is much larger than that of other cultured pearls. This large original bead implant causes the oyster to deposit nacre around the nucleus at a much quicker rate than other oysters. Environment is another reason why South Sea pearls get to be so large. They live in very warm, clean water filled with plankton which helps to speed up nacre production.

There are a few characteristics of South Sea pearls that make them so unique. Besides being a generally large stone, they have unusually thick nacre. Typically, an akoya pearl has a nacre of 0.35mm to 0.7mm while a South Sea pearl has nacre ranging from 2-6mm. This makes them very hard and much more durable than other pearls. South Sea pearls also have a unique satiny luster caused by the warm waters of their habitat. South Sea pearls also have a very beautiful array of colors like white, silver and gold that are rare in other pearls.

Another lesser known pearl is the Cortez pearl. One of Mexico's prized gemstones, Cortez pearls come fromt he warm waters of the Gulf of California. Cortez pearls come from two different species of oysters – the “Panamic Black-Lipped Oyster” and the “Rainbow-Lipped Oyster”. These oysters produce very unusual colors and a gorgeous iridescence unique to the Cortez pearl. It takes about 2 years to produce these beautiful pearls, but is definitely worth the wait.

Cortez pearls typically range in size from about 8mm to 14mm and have nacre about 0.8 millimeter to 2.3mm thick. Like the South Sea pearls, Cortez pearls are hard and more durable than their more classic counterparts. A unique feature of the Cortez pearl is its shape. Most Cortez pearls are irregular in shape, or Baroque. Cortez pearls can be round or near-round in shape but this is a very small percentage of any harvest. Color is another reason why these pearls are so loved. They have an intense rainbow-like opulence with colors ranging from cool whites to silver, bronze and black. The black Cortez pearls often have a “peacock” appearance with overtones of green, purple blue and gold.

Another of the lesser known pearls is the Keshi pearl. These pearls can be either freshwater or saltwater which is a rare characteristic. The way that Keshi pearls are created is an interesting process. When an oyster rejects and implanted nucleaus before the culturing process begins, a Keshi pearl is created. The pearl sacs eventually create a pearl without a nucleus. There is no nucleus to guide the growth and development of the Keshi pearl, so they are usually small and irregular in shape.

Keshi pearls, because of their origin, are 100% nacre. This causes the pearls to have a very high luster and come in a wide variety of colors. Many times, a Keshi pearl has a greater luster than the highest quality cultured pearls. When pearl farming began, Keshi pearls were abundant and created very unique pieces of jewelry. Today, Keshi pearls are much rarer because many pearl farms x-ray their oysters to determine if an oyster has rejected its implanted nucleus. One of the wonderful things about Keshi pearls however is their unpredictable shape. This irregular shape paired with a wide variety of colors from white to ivory, gold and black allows jewelers to create some truly unique pieces of jewelry.

For hundreds of years, China and Japan have been the leader in the saltwater and Akoya pearl market. In the earliest days of pearl harvesting, it was difficult to find pearls that was both high in quality and had a perfectly round shape. Mikimoto was the man to develop and produce high quality, round cultured pearls in Japan and changed the pearl market forever.

Mikimoto began his first pearl oyster farm in 1888 where he began to develop his method for creating round, high quality cultured pearls. After working with the pearls, Mikimoto began distributing these cultured pearls in 1897 and continued perfecting his methods. During these years, Mikimoto ran into some competition from some other biologists developing their own pearl techniques. Mikimoto and other scientists used similar techniques - they would insert a piece of mantle tissue into the oyster, causing a pearl to form. After some fights and adaptations to patents, Mikimoto made arrangements with another biologist in 1916 and was able to really develop his business.

Mikimoto spent many years developing his cultured pearl techniques and it paid off. Mikimoto began culturing classic white Akoya pearls and was successful. He was however always intrigued by black and silver pearls and wanted to culture those as well. He began culturing Black South Sea Pearls in 1914 and his efforts eventually became a success in 1931. It was in this year he cultured a giant 10mm black South Sea pearl. After having so much success culturing pearls, Mikimoto said “I want to adorn the necks of all the women of the world with pearls.” His dream was an eventual success with women worldwide recognizing Mikimoto’s name and wearing his pearls everywhere.

This new technology for developing cultured pearls really helped Japan’s business take off. By 1935, Japan had over 350 pearl farms producing high quality cultured pearls by the millions. Eventually, the uprising slowed and Japan was left with an oversupply of pearls. Mikimoto began to promote his pearls overseas in the United States and Europe. He opened up stylish boutiques in Paris, London, New York, Chicago and many other cities making his brand one of the first Japanese brands to have international recognition.

Because Mikimoto’s pearls were cultured and not “natural” he ran in to a lot of criticism. He was constantly defending his product stating that his pearls were only of the highest quality. At one time, he even went as far as to publicly burn thousands of low quality pearls to prove that he sold only high quality cultured pearls. To further establish his reputation, he also took his pearls to the 1926 Philadelphia World Exposition where he displayed a replica of the liberty bell covered in pearls.

Even though Mikimoto died in 1954 his name and his brand live on today. Mikimoto was the official jeweler of the 2003-2008 Miss USA pageant, the 2002-2007 Miss Universe pageant and the 2001-2008 Miss Teen USA pageant. He was also posthumously awarded the Grand Cordon of the Order of the Sacred Treasure. Today, his pearl necklaces and other jewelry are still sought after and extremely valuable.

The earliest mention of pearls comes over 4,000 years ago in Chinese history books. There is no official date of when the first pearl was taken from a shell but they are mentioned in nearly every culture’s history. Because this is one of the oldest gemstones known to man, it comes as no surprise that some pearls have managed to stand above the rest and make their own footprint in the history books. Some of these famous pearls are known because of their size, who wore them or who discovered them. All of the pearls remembered in history have something unique that gives them legendary status.

One of the first famous pearls is the Abernathy Pearl. It was found in 1967 in the River Tay in Scotland by Bill Abernathy. Abernathy was a professional pearl diver and was in the river doing just that. The River Tay is known for very odd shaped mussels which can create very beautiful pearls. The people of Scotland scoured their rivers for centuries trying to find pearls. Many freshwater pearls were found but none quite like the Abernathy Pearl. The pearl that Bill Abernathy pulled out of the river was 44 grains or about 14 carats. A natural freshwater pearl of this size is an extremely rare find.

Another pearl that history notes is Big Pink Pearl. This pearl was found by a diver in California’s Salt Point State Park. The Guiness Book of World Records lists this pearl as the largest natural abalone pearl ever found. Abalone pearls are often considered some of the most beautiful pearls in the world. They are very asymmetrical and have an intense luster with a multitude of colors. The Big Pink Pearl weighs an amazing 470 carats and is valued at $.7 million dollars in 1991.

Perhaps one of the most famous freshwater pearls is the Hope Pearl. It is the largest saltwater pearl ever discovered weighing in at 450 carats. The Hope Pearl is a white drop-shaped pearl measuring an astonishing 2 inches by 4 inches. This pearl is named for Henry Philip Hope who acquired this pearl sometime in the 19^th century. He also at one time owned the magnificent Hope Diamond. The Hope Pearl is housed and displayed at the British Museum of Natural History.

A pearl found off the coast of Panama in the 16^th century makes its own mark in history. Known as La Peregrina or “The Pilgrim” this pearl was at one time, one of the most celebrated gemstones. Weighing about 65 carats, La Peregrina was known not only for its size but its gorgeous white coloring and near perfect and unique pear shape. After the gem was discovered it was taken directly to King Phillip II who gave it to his bride, Queen Mary of Spain, as a wedding gift. The pearl was passed down through royalty until Richard Burton bought it for Elizabeth Taylor in 1969. Taylor, who is a known pearl lover and one who actively popularized Tahitian pearls, owns La Peregrina still today.

Wouldn’t it be pleasant to get actual pearls from safe to eat oysters? Pearls are produced by mollusks together with oysters, mussels and clams. Though, mussels and clams rarely create pearls while oysters regularly make pearls no matter if they are in saltwater or in freshwater.
The inspiration that pearls are produced from sand intruding into the shield of an oyster is wrong. Sand is an dead stuff while pearls are shaped by organic materials that are caught inside the oyster. Unlike the normal trust that pearls are usually white, pearls come in several colors like black, green, red and even blue. Different-colored pearls are able to be seen entirely over the earth although just the South Pacific has formed black pearls.

Instead of waiting of the usual occurrence of pearls, there are community who culture pearls in the similar manner that they are naturally produced. Usual pearls are though extra pricey than cultured pearls for  their uncommonness.

Among the kinds of pearls are cultured pearls whichever in saltwater or freshwater; South Sea pearls that are shaped in the silvery lipped oysters are unusual pearls that are cultured in Australia and are usually fantastically big; South Sea pearls created by yellow lipped oysters and are refined in Indonesia and Tahitian pearls or black pearls that are shaped with black lipped oysters and are cultured in the French Polynesia or in Cook Island.

Real pearls have a tendency to feel sandy when rubbed along the edging of the front teeth though simulation pearls fell smooth.

Away from the kinds of oyster from which pearls are shaped, the worth of pearls is determined according to their luster or shine. The form of a pearl is also significant and the rounder the pearl, the better. Pounded pearl that is prepared from shells and pearls for not so first-rate quality is believed to make paler skin with a natural glow. Pearl powder are actually being exported via several states including The United States to China.

If you are fortunate enough to examine many high -end, fine pearl necklaces, you probably have seen some of the highest quality akoya pearls in the industry.If you are new to pearls or simply haven't learned about how they are made, akoya pearls are created with a tiny material being inserted into the oyster. They generally are produced in Asian countries such as South Korea, Vietnam, Japan and China.Though Akoya pearls are produced throughout the world in such places like Australia, the countries such as China and Japan are known to be the largest producers of this magnificent gem.  These pearls are cultivated in the akoya oyster, scientifically known as the Pinctada fucata martensii.This type of pearl is farmed and gathered in China and Japan and are prized for their luster, shine and higher quality.Akoya pearls are often considered the classic pearl. They are the ones that are generally admired in stores. They are usually white with overtones of cream, rose or silver. 

Among all of the cultured pearls being cultivated and sold in the market, it is the akoya pearl that is preferred, sometimes considered the perfect pearl, for jewelry.The two main reasons are as follows

1) The akoya pearl is the smallest to be produced, with its size ranging from about 2 to 11 millimeters.

2) The akoya pearl tends to be consistently round or near-round, making them the ideal pearl to be used in jewelry such as bracelets and necklaces. 

As mentioned before, the two leading countries in the akoya pearl industry are Japan and China.  Japan was at first the major producer of akoya pearls in the world until China overtook her, the latter beginning it’s cultivation in the 1960s.  It was only until the late 1980s when China succeeded in becoming the number one producer of akoya pearls in the world market.  And because of the increasing competition, Japan pearl farmers have begun concentrating in cultivating actual large akoya pearls since high quality akoya pearls that are sized over 8 mm are very rare in China.

When choosing pearls, consider the size, luster, shape, smothness and type.

For centuries, women have worn pearls on their wedding day and the tradition does not appear to be ending. Today’s bride looks as lovely as ever wearing the latest in pearl fashions: the illusion freshwater pearl necklace. Many have seen this necklace become world-famous from the popular romantic comedy Tin Cup with Kevin Costner and Renee Russo. Since this movie’s release, brides across the world have reached for the illusion pearl necklace style representing true love and romance.

The illusion freshwater pearl necklace has become a new classic for today’s generation. It is a pearl necklace that will have many memories attached to it – a first kiss with a groom, dancing with their father – perfect to pass on for that special girl’s wedding day. The illusion freshwater pearl necklace is dainty and feminine, making every woman feel just a bit more like a princess on her wedding day.

It’s easy to see why the illusion freshwater pearl necklace would become so popular. The “illusion” style gracefully accents your neck and brings attention to the bride’s face, neck and shoulder. The illusion freshwater pearl necklace is a classic necklace style that compliments many bridal gown styles – from the dressiest of gowns to the more casual beachy wedding style dresses. The illusion freshwater pearl necklace style can vary – from a tiny gold or silver chain to a jeweler’s thread that literally is invisible so that the pearls seemingly “dance” upon your neck and collarbone. The style is the same in one respect for each woman in that the pearls are showcased in this illusion style with the extra space between each of them. Unlike the traditional pearl necklace, here you are able to truly admire each and every pearl’s beauty and loveliness. Sometimes truly less is more.

A popular style among brides is to add a touch of self-bronzer of even body glitter to their collarbone to further draw attention to their illusion freshwater pearl necklace. This is a necklace most often seen worn short and right up along a woman’s collarbone. The style compliments bridal gown necklines and permits women to “show a little skin” in an appropriate but still sexy way for their wedding day. Even your Great Grandma would agree, given the option of having an illusion freshwater pearl necklace.

This pearl necklace is an ideal accent as brides can wear it for their wedding day and then put it on for day or night, remembering their wedding day. An illusion freshwater pearl necklace looks lovely on every blushing bride and is a great way to treasure your special day. Each day you put it on again will remind you of your first kiss as man and wife and your first dance with your father. Eventually you will pass this beautiful necklace on to a beloved family member for her wedding, knowing it will be her “something borrowed.” Pearls are truly romantic and the illusion freshwater pearl necklace is the new bridal classic!