Helpful hints when buying Pearl Jewelry
Here are some guidelines that may be helpful when shopping for pearl jewelry:
Pearl Luster:
Pearls with good luster appear to glow warmly from within. This is a very important feature of pearls and should be the first thing you look for. To recognize a excellent luster, look for the clarity of images that are reflected on the pearl’s surface. The better the image you see, the better the luster.
Pearl Similarity:
When viewing pearl jewelry, look for how well each pearl match in color, shape and finish. Similarity is the most desirable; the more closely matched pearls are the more expensive as well.
Pearl Size:
Larger pearls are usually preferred for necklaces, but less desirable for earrings, and rings as the size can be bulky and difficult to wear and possibly distract from the beauty of the wearer. So consider aesthetics of size and costs when making your next pearl jewelry purchase.
Care of Pearl Jewelry:
Proper cared of pearls can help them can last a lifetime. The best way to care for pearls is to wear them often as the body’s natural oils help maintain the pearls luster. Keep pearls away from chemicals such as perfume, makeup and hairspray. Chemicals found in perfume, makeup and hairspray can dull the luster of your pearls. It is a good idea to put your pearls on last and make them the first thing you take off when you come home. Before putting your pearls away, wipe them with a soft cloth and store them separate from other jewelry to avoid scratching their tender surfaces.
Types of Pearls:
Akoya Cultured Pearls:
The Akoya is the most popular pearl, commonly seen in pearl strands and in earrins. If you’re looking for the classic set of pearls, look to Akoya cultured pearls. Akoya pearls are the specialty of Japanese pearl farms. If you’re looking for a remarkable gift, choose a gift of Akoya cultured pearl jewelry.
Freshwater cultured pearls:
Most Freshwater pearls come from China, and a single mussel may produce several pearls at a time. Freshwater cultured pearls can be created in a spectrum of colors. Many popular Colors are white, pink, orange, and other pastels are achieved through natural means, including the pearl mollusk’s genetics, what they eat, and the amount and type of trace metals in the cultivating environment. Pearl colors should always be chosen to complement the wearer’s complexion and wardrobe preferences. The Freshwater pearl looks remarkably similar to the Akoya pearl, but Freshwater pearls are more affordable than Akoya pearls. Freshwater pearls are generally smaller, less symmetrical, and do not match up as well as Akoya pearls when strung on a strand. But if you’re looking for pearls at an outstanding value, Freshwater pearls are the perfect gift.
South Sea Cultured Pearls:
These are the most rare and extraordinary pearls you’ll find in jewelry. South Sea cultured pearls are of exceptional quality with a whitish silvery color. These pearls can become larger than other types, with exceptional smoothness and roundness. Cultivation of these pearls is difficult, making them more expensive.
Tahitian Cultured Pearls:
Tahitian cultured pearls are traditionally called “black,” but colors can range from metallic silver, to the color of graphite with bluish, purplish, or greenish overtones. The natural black color of these pearls comes from the color of the black-lipped variety of the pinctada maxima oyster and can reach a foot or more in diameter producing very large pearls. However this oyster is very sensitive to the pearl culturing process, making the cultivating of pearls very costly.
