Pearls explained is one of many pages we have on N.J. Diamonds web blog, we hope that you will find all the information that you will need on this page about pearls.
One of the oldest gems are pearls they are the oldest jewels known to man. The pearl is the only gem made by a living animal, the oldest surviving pearl necklace is almost 2000 years old, found in the sarcophagus of Persian Princess.(History Of Pearls)
For anyone who’s looking for a classic, and elegant piece of jewelry pearls are a must-have jewelry staple every woman should have at least one strand in her jewelry collection. Before you go to add pearls to your jewelry stable there are a few things you might find helpful.
Pearls in many countries were worn as a declaration of wealth, and power. In ancient Rome and medieval France, only the aristocracy was allowed
to wear pearls. In Elizabethan England, only royalty could wear them.
Pearls became associated with wealth, status, and power, and ordinary
people began to want them as symbols of these things. Throughout
history, millions of people have yearned to wear pearls. (Pearl History in The World)
Cleopatra dissolved a single pearl in a glass of wine to win a bet with Marc Anthony. The bet was that she could consume the wealth of an entire county in just one meal. The Arabic legend explains that the pearls formed when moonlight-filled dew drops descended down from the sky into the oceans and were swallowed by oysters.
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Pearls personify the classic American style that permeates fashion runways and red carpets these days, so it’s only natural that designers are finding more ways to capitalize on the classic pearl. Technological advances have made it easier and more affordable to securely adhere additions to pearls. Using pearls as a gem or diamond setting material makes sense economically too since, gram for gram, pearls actually are less expensive than many precious metals.(modern Jeweler)
Caring For Cultured Pearls..
1. Avoid contact with perfume and hairspray.
2. Put pearls on last, after applying makeup.
3. Wipe your pearls with a soft clean cloth.
4. do not store pearls with other jewelry.
5. Have your pearls restrung when they seem loose to the touch and the silk cord discolors.
Understanding Pearl Color:
The color of the pearl is an important factor when grading a pearl. The pearl has overtone and body color. The pearl comes in a variety of colors from white to black.
The pearl comes from a living creature which contributes to the unique way the color of the pearl develops
Body color:
The body color is the main color of the pearl. White, silver, gold, blue, green, cream, and even black.
The body color is determined by the type of oyster or mollusk that the pearl came from, the condition of the waters, and sometimes the object that was put in the oyster can all have an effect on the outcome of the pearl color. Certain oysters produce pearls of a certain color.
Over Tones:
Overtones are the translucent color over the top of the body color.
These overtones alter the color of the pearl somewhat. The overtone will also add depth, and glow to the pearl.
Orient: This means the iridescent colors which glitter, the layers of nacre (mother of pearl)
reflect the light through the many layers of nacre.
Many pearls are color treated this is used often with fresh water, Akoya, and sometimes Tahitian pearls.
The color is infused by a treatment known as dying, putting the pearls to irradiation.
You can find out if a pearl is treated by looking down the drill hole you will be looking for concentrations of color that indicate the presence of dye. Naturally black Akoya and freshwater pearls do not exist.
If black pearls are offered of this variety they are always color-treated.
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