Sunday, August 10th, 2008
Pearl Jewelry: A Primer
Pearl Jewelry: A Primer
A good string of pearls is considered an essential accessory for any woman. Whether in the business world or at social engagements, pearl jewelry is always appropriate, and many young women receive their first pearl as gifts at a major rite of passage, such as graduations or marriages.
Natural or Cultured Pearls
Pearl jewelry can be made of either natural or cultured pearls. Cultured pearls are the equivalent of farm-raised salmon the cultivated pearls are identical to natural pearls, but they are seeded, grown, and managed in a controlled manner. Pearls have been cultivated in this way for at least hundred years, and good quality cultured pearls are similar in quality to natural pearls. As with any product, the quality can vary, and lower priced pearl jewelry may be made from lesser quality pearls. Natural pearls can still be found in pearl jewelry, but the price is considerably higher.
Choosing Pearls
Pearls are evaluated on six factors: size, shape, surface characteristics, color, and luster. Size, shape, and color are personal preferences, but a piece of pearl jewelry should have pearls of size, shape, and color that are appropriate to the piece and to the other pearls in the piece. Surface characteristics include uniformity of the surface area, whether there are pits or bumps, cracks or blemishes. Luster describes the reflection of light off the surface, or the shimmer quality of the pearl.
A large size does not necessarily mean a more expensive pearl, but an inexpensive large pearl may not last as long as a more expensive one, and heres why. The size of pearls depends on two things: the size of the implanted nucleus, and the thickness of the pearl layers. The cost of a cultured pearl is determined in part by the length of the growing time, whereas the durability of the pearl depends on the thickness of the coating. You can purchase large cultured pearls which have been grown on a large nucleus at a smaller price, but they are more prone to discoloration and cracking than a more expensive pearl with a thicker coating.
Types of Strands
Pearl necklaces are made in standard lengths. Pearls, unique from other gemstones in many ways, are also unique in that each necklace length is known by a name rather than a measurement, as is done with other types of necklaces. Pearl necklaces come in collars, which are worn closely around the neck, followed next by a choker, which sits right at the collar bone. A necklace that falls just below the neckline is a princess, then comes the matinee length, followed by the opera length, and finally the longest length of pearl necklace, the rope.
Pearl jewelry should be a part of every womans wardrobe. You can never go wrong at any event with pearls.
keyword 2
Popularity: 18% [?]
Please leave a Comment
You must be logged in to post a comment.