| Pearl Jewelry |
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The beloved pearl is a beautiful and distinctive piece of jewelry. The pearl is the only gem in the world that is actually created by a living organism known as mussels. It is stated that pearls have been around before mankind.
Once upon a time pearls were looked at as magical and were a symbol of the moon on earth by the ancients. Pearls were looked at as ideal gifts in many civilizations due to the fact their white color and texture symbolized purity. Ancient Middle Eastern civilizations had a fascination with this precious gem that the word spread through Persia and most of the Mediterrean Sea. Thus, making the pearl a world renowned precious gem.
Pearls are still present in modern day’s society. Pearls come in the form of bracelets, necklaces, earrings or they can be attached to a pendant or a ring. Some pearls can be set with other precious stones like sapphires and rubies, giving the jewelry piece an elegant and sophisticated touch.
Pearls are a nice touch and they show power and wealth. Any person that owns a set of pearls should be lucky; they are truly a rare gem.
When you decide to shop for pearls, please keep in mind that there are different types of pearls that one can choose from.
Natural Pearls- are pearls that are natural that have not been touched or altered by man. It is very rare that one finds a perfectly shaped natural pearl. So most of the pearls sold today are mostly cultured pearls.
Cultured pearls- they are somewhat similar to natural pearls, however cultured pearls are influenced by man kind. There is a farmer known as the pearl farmer who inserts an irritant in to the mollusk, by doing this he can control the formation, shape, size and color of the pearl created.
Freshwater pearls- This should be self explanatory that these types of pearls can be found in rivers and lakes. They can be natural or cultured, and they are usually affordable and very durable.
Saltwater Pearls- These are pearls which are produced in seas and oceans that consist of saltwater. These types of pearls are more expensive and hold the most value because of their elegant beauty.
Imitation pearls – Are for the budget conscience, these types of pearls are usually man-made and are produced from plastic, glass, or other materials. These types of pearls can be found in a costume jewelry store and are very inexpensive and have no value.
Buying pearls can be a fun and exhilarating experience for the person that loves pearls, or someone learning about them. Another factor to consider when buying pearls is the color and quality of the pearl. There are different types of pearls that have different types of reflections such as the Akoya pearls, these type of pearls have a define glow and high luster distinguishing them from low grades of pearls such as the Tahitian pearl which has somewhat more of a dimmer reflection. When purchasing a pearl or pearls there are many factors to consider the basic six would be the nacre, thickness, luster, shape, texture, size, color and surface. When one is choosing the shape and surface of the pearl, they should take note that the highest quality pearls are perfectly round and tends to have a smooth surface. Lower quality pearls will show, by not being as round or show a lot of imperfections.
There are four different types of pearls that one can choose from, they have Akoya Pearls, Black Tahitian Pearls, Large Sea Pearls and Decorative Freshwater pearls. Most of these pearls mentioned above are cultured pearls, so they can get that perfect look. It is stated that Akoya pearls are among the most popular types of pearls to purchase due to the fact that they have high luster and they are affordable.
So now you know what to look for when shopping for pearls, so you can surprise a friend, family member or significant other with an eloquent work of art. |
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