Hi, I’m Norela. I’m always fascinated by fashion and jewelry from around the world. I have spent a lot of time reading and researching about these, specifically pearl fashion jewelry. Do you know that THE PEARL is making a comeback in the world of the haute couture industry? I’m not surprised, pearl accessories never disappeared; for me, the pearl has its effect of eternal beauty. This is what this article is about, it is about my passion, your interest and it is about pearls.
Remember how elegant Princess Diana and Jacqueline Kennedy were? Pearl jewelry will never go out of style or out of place. It is a timeless accessory that symbolizes elegance. Despite his personal style; casual, dressy or sexy, pearls will give you this sparkling and refined look when worn around your neck, your wrist or around your finger. Regardless of the occasions, be it a funeral, a business meeting, a cocktail party, shopping or a date, you will always look polished and elegant in pearls.
Make a fashion statement? Add femininity, modesty and purity to your wardrobe. Good! the pearl symbolizes a happy marriage; it is a jewel for the third and thirtieth wedding anniversary. Pearls are also the birthstone for June.
Do you know that the pearl is the only gem created by a living organism? Below is a brief description of how it is created, the types, and the value to better understand your pearl. You can use this simple information to your advantage when you decide to buy a pearl for yourself or someone else as a gift.
types of pearls
There are three types of pearls; natural, cultured and imitations. The difference between natural and cultured pearls is that natural pearls are formed by nature and cultured pearls are made by human intervention by injecting an irritant into the oyster (just like getting dust in your eye). To protect itself, the oyster secretes multiple layers of a calcium carbonate substance called nacre around the foreign object to isolate it from the rest of the oyster. After a few years, the original irritant is covered with a silky coating and that’s a pearl. Most pearl jewelry today is cultured pearls, it is rare to find natural pearls and they are usually very expensive and become old collections.
Imitation pearls are a completely different story. In most cases, a glass bead is immersed in a solution made from fish scales. This layer is thin and can eventually wear off. The best way to distinguish between a natural or cultured pearl and an imitation pearl without sending them to a GIA lab for x-rays is to use the “tooth test.” Rub a pearl on the edge of your teeth. If it feels smooth, the pearl is probably an imitation. If the pearl feels rough or gritty, it is probably natural or cultured.
value of pearls
The value of pearls in jewelry is determined by a combination of brightness, color, shape, size, lack of surface defects:
Luster – Pearls produce a deep, intense shine called luster. This effect is created when light reflects off the many layers of tiny calcium carbonate crystals that make up the pearl.
Color: the typical colors of pearls are white, cream, yellow, pink, silver or black. A pearl can also have a tint (a shade of another color), which is seen when light reflects off the surface of the pearl.
Shape: Perfectly round pearls are rare and highly valued. Teardrop pearls are often used in pendants.
Surface Marking: Pearls with the smoothest surfaces are the highest quality,
Size: The size of the pearl largely depends on the type of pearl. Freshwater pearls range in size from about 3.0 to 7.0mm and saltwater pearls can reach sizes up to 13mm.
However, all things being equal, the larger the pearl, the more valuable it is. Large, perfectly round pearls are rare and highly valued. Teardrop pearls are often used in pendants.
necklace length
As a general rule of thumb, when it comes to pearl necklace length, shorter necklaces flatter longer necks, while longer necklaces are good for smaller necks. The lengths and names are as follows:
Necklace – 12-13 inches
Choker – 14-19 inches
Princess – 17-19 inches
Tomorrow – 20-25 inches
Opera – 26-36 inches
Rope – 37 inches or more
What size is right for you?
The average size of pearl necklaces sold today is 6.5-7mm, 7-7.5mm, and 7.5-8mm.
6-6.5 mm pearl necklace: Ideal for young or petite women. Young women in the workforce can accentuate their beauty with a simple choker.
6.5-7mm pearl necklace: Gives a delicate look. Ideal for young or petite women.
7-7.5mm pearl necklace: suitable for most women. Ideal for weddings, birthdays, anniversaries, Mother’s Day gifts, college graduations, and Valentine’s Day gifts.
7.5-8mm pearl necklace: suitable for professional women or those who prefer slightly larger pearls. A popular necklace for birthdays, anniversaries, Mother’s Day gifts, or any other important occasion.
8-8.5mm pearl necklace: This is the most popular size. It is impressive, extraordinary and valuable. Ideal for an anniversary or important birthday.
8.5-9mm Pearl Necklace – Ideal for a milestone anniversary, birthday or special event. Pearls larger than 8.5mm grow longer in water than smaller pearls, making them very difficult to collect. They have great value to invest in, as their value will appreciate over time.
Pearl Necklace 9-9.5mm and above: Ideal for women who are looking for large and exquisite pearls and who consider themselves to be unique, important and sophisticated.
PEARL CARE
Wash your pearls with very mild soapy water. wipe them down with a soft, damp cloth to ensure they remain free of any damaging buildup. Easily scratched if struck by other jewelry, cultured pearls are best stored in a soft cloth bag or separate lined jewelry box. The skin produces acids that can damage pearls, so if they are worn regularly, they should be cleaned with a soft cloth after each use.
If you wear your cultured pearl strand several times a week, consider asking your jeweler to re-strand it once a year to prevent strand breakage. Experts advise using silk or nylon thread to restring the pearls, with a knot between each pearl. If your strand breaks, replace the entire cable. If the pearls are in graduated sizes, try keeping them on the previous strand to keep the same sequence until they are strung again.