Wear Timeless And Elegant Pearl Jewelry On All Occasions

• Tweet
• Pin It

Pearl jewelries are so versatile that they can be worn on any occasion, anytime and anywhere. Purchasing pearl jewelries doesn’t need to be too expensive all the time. Before buying pearl jewelry, you must have some knowledge about pearls.

Pearls – the nature’s tiny wonder, is the only gem that is obtained from a living organism. There are mainly three types of pearls – natural pearls, cultured pearls, and imitation pearls. Pearl is the most feminine and magical amongst all gems. Natural and cultured pearls are further divided into two categories – fresh water pearls and salt water pearls.

A pearl – a hard, lustrous and rounded concretion is formed by oysters or mollusks, when foreign material such as a sand grain, a fragment of rock or parasite enters the oyster and cannot be expelled. This irritates the mollusk and to reduce its irritation, the animal coats the foreign object with layers of secretion called nacre and a pearl is formed.

Natural pearls are those that are rarely formed when a foreign object enters mollusk’s shell with the continuous secretion of nacre. Cultured pearls also grow inside a mollusk, but with human interference. A shell is carefully opened and a pearl farmer injects an irritant into the oyster. Today most pearls that are sold in jewelry shop are cultured as availability of natural pearls is quite rare.

Pearl jewelry is considered to be the most feminine and romantic gift. Pearl jewelry is most fascinating as they are available in a variety of colors, sizes and shapes. You can find numerous pearl jewelries according to your budget and taste. It can become your lifetime collection, if treated and chosen carefully.

Because of their delicate transparency and shine, pearls are the most valued gemstones.  Though white pearls are most commonly found, yet pearls are also found in different colors like pink, cream, black, yellow, grey, green, lavender and mauve. Black pearls are mostly found in some islands of Pacific Ocean and in the Gulf of Mexico. Sri Lanka is famous for exclusive cream colored pearls. Besides this, Indonesia, and California also produces pearls.

How to determine the cost of your pearls?

The value or cost of a pearl largely depends upon its size, color, shape, surface and luster. Those with perfect round shapes are most valuable. Teardrop shapes are also rare and valuable. The other popular shapes are flattened, pear shaped, oval, egg shaped and button shaped. Size and luster also determines a  pearl’s value.

Larger the size of the pearl, greater will be its value. A pearl which reflects back light beautifully and provides a shiny glow is the one that is most worth buying. Pearls with low luster are quite dull.  Pearls with flaws like discoloration, bumps, scratches and wrinkles are less valuable. The rarest colored pearls are white pink, silver pink and creamy pearls.

Testing and Buying Pearl Jewelry

To know whether a pearl is real or artificial, use a magnifying glass that is usually available with jewelers. Alternatively, you can also judge its authenticity by feeling it with your hands. The surface of real pearls feels rough while imitation pearls feel smooth. As there is no standardized grade for judging pearls, it is better to purchase pearl jewelry from shops that provides certification for authenticity. All reputed pearl jewelry shops provide high quality pearls. One of the easiest way to differentiate between cultured pearl and imitation pearl is that in cultured pearls you will find an internal radiance while imitation or semi cultured pearls just have an exterior shine.

Taking care of Pearl Jewelry

Pearl jewelry is stunning, beautiful and classic. They never go out of fashion. They are perfect gifts as well. High quality pearl necklaces, bracelets and earrings can be handed-down to generations.  Pearls become more beautiful as they age, provided you take care of them properly. They should be stored separately from other jewelry. Storing pearl jewelry in a pouch or cloth bag is appropriate. Those living in dry climate can keep damp linen with pearl jewelry to prevent the pearl from drying.

Wipe down your pearl jewelry with a dry and soft cloth after you wear it. If by chance something spills on your pearl jewelry, wipe it with water immediately and with the help of a soft cloth, dry it. Get your pearl jewelry restrung from time to time to avoid the risk of breaking the string. With proper care, their luster can be maintained for a long time.

Fashionable Pearl Jewelry

Pearl jewelries are most sophisticated and can be worn on almost all occasions. You can buy pearl sets in your choice of colors like white pearls, black pearls or any combination color that you enjoy. Pearl jewelry like ring, locket or necklace can be gifted to small or teenage girls also. Pearl jewelries are timeless and elegant. Even new fashion jewelry cannot fade their attraction. They are still the most fashionable jewelry to wear. The warmth and beauty of pearl jewelry can complement every woman.

Today, pearl jewelry is available in a variety of styles and fashion. From most simple and modest pearl necklace to fancy and gorgeous ruby or diamond encrusted pearl necklace, bracelets and tiaras are available. Pearl jewelry is also quite popular as bridal jewelry. Wedding gowns are often made studded with pearls. Hair clips made of pearls are also worn by many brides. Pearl jewelry sets have emerged as a wedding gift as well.  Pearl earrings, bracelets, and necklace can be worn with all types of dresses, jeans, skirt or evening gowns as well.

Types and Varieties of Cultured Pearls

Cultured pearls come in several popular varieties like Fresh water, South Sea, Akoya and BlackTahitian Pearls. They come in all shapes, sizes and colors.

Akoya Pearls

They are the most popular type of pearls sold today. Akoya pearls are salt water pearls that are mostly cultivated in China and Japan. Their uniformly round shape makes them perfect for necklace, earrings and bracelets. They are found in a limited range of colors like white, silvery, ivory and rose. Akoya pearls are mostly available in an average size of 7mm, as Akoya oyster are small in size.

Tahitian Pearls

Tahitian pearls are very demanding as they are the only natural black pearls, while others are dyed. They are grown in other colors as well like silver, green, gray, purple and blue in black lipped oysters.  They are available in large sizes, from 9 to 16mm and in variety of shapes.

South Sea Pearls

They are large in size and the most expensive cultured pearls. Their average size is 13mm but they can be found in 20mm size also. They grow in warm waters of Indonesia and Australia. They are available in many colors like white, gold, pink and in different shapes.

Pearl jewelry sets, comprising of a necklace, bracelet, and earrings, is perfect for wedding jewelry. The luster of this elegant jewelry goes very well with satin and silk wedding gowns.