The Pearl Jewelry Blog

In some circles pearls are perceived as being a bit dated or out of style piece of jewelry. In reality pearls are a very versatile addition to any wardrobe, although you may not want to stick with the traditional strand of pearls that your grandmother treasured as her very best. Modern pearls come in a variety of different types of necklaces, bracelets, rings, earrings and yes, even in brooches, hair ornaments and as scarf pins.

Generally choosing pearl jewelry is no longer confined to just selecting from different sizes and slight variations in color of the pearls and style of the jewelry. Pearls now come in a variety of colors ranging from the very dark black Tahitian pearls through to the silver, greenish, bluish and even purplish colors of these unique pearls to the traditional white, ivory and cream color. Pinkish tinged pearls are also a big fashion hit and are a real eye catching addition to any outfit.

There are two different types of naturally occurring pearls, freshwater and saltwater. As can be imagined from the names, the only difference is the type of water in which the mollusk that produces the pearls is found. Within those two groups there are further divisions that include the terms natural and cultured. Natural pearls occur in nature by accident or chance, without any specific activities from humans.

Cultured pearls are still created by mollusks in their shells, however the pearl is actually started because a human inserts a small piece of foreign material to get the process started. These cultured pearls are perfectly round and can be kept in the oyster until the desired diameter is reached. Pearls that touch the side of the shell become flattened and irregular in shape and are known as mabes or blister pearls.

New pearl jewelry incorporates both natural pearls and cultured pearls, colored and white pearls as well as the irregular mabe or blister pearls in wonderful and new designs. Pearls can be added to gold and silver jewelry designs to add both a texturized look as well as warmth and shimmer to the piece that only pearls can provide.

Pearl necklaces are also used in layering with gold necklaces, producing a very warm and rich appearance that softens rather than hardens the appearance of the wearer like some of the heavier all metal type jewelry is prone to do.

Pearls are the traditional jewelry choice for brides and for a lot of really good reasons. First and foremost they match literally any skin tone and the new color varieties mean that you can add a touch of color or stay with the basics. A new version of the old classic for a bride or for bridesmaids is a pearl that is used as a pendant, forming a single drop necklace and earring set that is soft, warm and radiant close to the skin.

These earring and necklace sets also double as ideal for business dress, casual dress and even for a night on the town. Pearls on bracelets mixed with carved or decorative gold beads and glass or gem beads are also a current fashion setting trend, again proving to be very versatile and practical while still beautiful and classic.

By Amy Carrington

Rust/Brown is a very “in” color this season. It is easy to see why: brown is a lovely classic color that we see go in and out over the years. But brown always comes back stronger every time it comes back in again. There are many women that simply consider it “in” at all times - as it is a true classic.

Brown is ideal for just about every woman’s coloring - from the light-skinned blonde to a woman of color with dark hair. It is a color that makes women glow. Brown is a natural color that reminds us of the earth and all that is good about being natural.

Grey is yet another “in” color that is coming back just as strong. We see grey come in and out and then back in again. One of the wonderful things about grey is that it offers us many lovely shades - you have the pale icy shades of grey that are nearly white. Then you have the deep, dark charcoal grey shades that are so much deeper. There are also the metallic shades of pewter that remind us of the metallic trends that have taken off this year for fashion and accessories. Grey is ideal for both your professional and personal wear. It is the perfect color for play and also for work.

Plum is a lovely deep color that makes every woman glow. This is a rich color that looks yummy and sweet - just like a sweet plum from our recent summertime! Plum is a unique shade of purple, it is purple but has just a touch of red. So it has less blue tones in it than red tones. Making it warm and wonderful for so many women to wear. You’ll love plum for scarves, handbags and jewelry. The gemstone amethyst is a lovely plum color, making it ideal for many types of jewelry.

Wintertime Blue is the perfect shade to bring us more into winter as the fall begins to come to a close. This true pale shade of blue has a real sweetness and crispness to it. You can see that wintertime blue reminds many of ice skating or skiing. This color is ideal for scarves, handbags and so many other wintertime accessories. It compliments winter white and silver very well. It also goes well with black.

Forever Green is a color that people are likely not to forget. This true, deep shade of green is one that will simply make you smile. We’re all quite happy it is in style for autumn/winter 2008! There are so many ways to wear forever green. You’ll fit in perfectly for the season with crystal earrings, a scarf or a forever green pendant. Think of Kermit: doesn’t he look happy?

Darrell F writing about the season’s hot colours including Diamante hair clips and the Grace Osoba collection. 

By Darrell Freeman

There are many things that make the world tick. Money is one and people are another. Time however, certainly ticks on and adds to life. People want to know the time so they can map their life as best they can and plan for the future. There are so many things they are likely to encounter and a steady plan is therefore necessary.

In order to plan life, people must be able to plan their time effectively and this starts with knowing the time. To do this people need access to a time-keeping device. This device can be almost anything, from a computer to a radio but more often than not it is a watch. People like wearing watches as they can be worn on the wrist and are only an arms length away.

Watches have developed over time and as developments have progressed, watches have become far better. This may be by the accuracy and precision the watch can be timed at, or it may be the look and feel of the watch. Watches have also become far more fashionable and consumers are far more likely to buy a watch if they think it is going to be liked by others.

Thousands of watches are manufactured every year and it is up to the watch companies to design watches that they feel are going to sell. Every effort is put in to make sure the watch is as pretty and presentable as possible, amalgamating fancy colours and additional features on every model produced. The prettier the watch is to the human eye, the more likely it is that someone will purchase it.

There is no harm in saying consumers like to buy pretty watches, but looks are not enough. Each watch needs to be branded in the best light possible. Big brands can pull this offer better than smaller ones as their name is more reputable and recognisable in the world.

Lacoste is one brand the have a very good image and reputation. They have had a long and established history and have been producing top quality products for many years. Amongst other things, their product range includes watches, which is an area they have diversified into as a result from success in other areas.

Lacoste have been able to diversify into this area as their brand is so well known and they have built up a strong reputation and image. When people are looking to buy a watch and they see a watch they like at Lacoste then it would be very hard to pull away.

Lacoste have certainly made an impact and now have a large selection of top quality watches. They are sold up and down the country and all over the world. All their watches are extremely fashionable and the desire from consumers is very apparent.

Lacoste watches certainly have a great reputation and image and have become a great place to buy top quality watches that are both pretty but more important are very fashionable.

By David K Fox

Akoya pearls are the example of the cultured pearls which are created with the help of Oysters which lives in salty water. It is provided with this name because it is created with the help of an Oyster species named as Akoya. It is a very small organism generally 3 to 10 millimeters. Therefore the size of akoya pearls is very small.

But Akoya species of the oyster is a perfectionist because it gives rise to a complete spherical shaped pearl. Because of this quality Akoya Pearl are best suited for the creation of pearl jewelry items such as Pearl Necklace, Pearl Earrings, Pearl Bracelet etc.

The size used for the creation of these jewelry items depends upon the individual’s taste and the tradition of a country. Akoya pearl is generally found in two colors(White and Cream) with a luster of yellow and Rose as well. Japan and China are the largest producers of the Akoya Pearls.

Japan is the first ever country which is associated with the manufacturing of Akoya pearls. Today the Japanese Pearl Industry is suffering because of water pollution in japan.

The Chinese farmers 40 years ago used the Japanese researchers’ technique but the Pear created was quite inferior in quality in comparison with the Japanese pearls. In early 90’s the Chinese farmers improve the technique and the result was amazing. Now it was almost impossible to differentiate the Japanese and Chinese Pearls.

The Pearls with 4 to 8 mm in size sold these days is the creation of the Chinese farmers. The pearls of this size are popular in the teenage girls and the women in the range of 30 to 40 years. But they are still unable to create a 8.5 mm size pearl which is undoubtedly the creation of pearl founder ” The Japanese”.

Because of this huge competition the Japanese farmers have now started to specialize only in big size Akoya pearls. The Chinese sell their small sized akoya pearls to the Japanese and the Japanese are the master of giving them a big shape. The Pearl with a size of 8.5 mm is the symbol of status and luxury.

Akoya Pearls were first created by the Japanese farmers. These are the most spherical shaped Pearls and therefore are widely used in Pearl Jewelry items.

By Jhonson Pattrick

The quality of a pearl depends upon several factors such as the color of the pearl, the shape and the size of the pear, pearl type, Pearl luster, the nacre thickness etc. The pearls are created by the living organisms. So these factors have a lot of influence on the quality of the pearl. Some of these quality factors are very important while the others are only based on the taste of an individual.

The Pearl whether it is an Akoya Pearl, Fresh water Pearl(Handama Pearls) etc. are created by the living creatures living in different climatic conditions. These conditions have a lot of impact on a pearl quality. Some pearls are very rare and some are very common. So availability factor is also an important factor in determining pearl quality.

For example the Tahitian Pearls are cheaper than the Akoya Pearls because of their large availability. Nacre is a substance which is hugely responsible for the pearl quality. It is responsible for the creation of the layers of the pearls. It also provides shine and luster to the pearls. If the pearl is more thick then it is of very high quality.

The pearl with thin nacre must have very dim or dull exposure while pearls with nacre are so shiny that you can see your image in it. For this reason the fresh water pearls are lower in quality then the salt water pearls.

The other important factor for determining pearl quality is the surface appearance. A good quality pearl must have smooth, regular and shiny surface in comparison with the rough, irregular and dull lower quality pearls. The shape of pearl is another factor which plays an important role in Pearl quality. The round or spherical shaped pearl are very rare and therefore are precious when compared with button shaped and ring shape pearls. The color is also a factor which determines which pearl is of high quality.

The nature colors such as white, gold, cream, blue and green are of higher quality then artificial colors. The last but not the least factor to determine pearl quality is size of the pearl. larger the size of the pearl more costly it is. So the Freshwater Pearls are more costly then the Akoya pearls because of their large size.

The Pearl quality depends upon their availability. Because of this reason the Freshwater Pearls are more costly then Akoya Pearls which are generally used for the creation of Pearl Earrings.

By Pattrick Jhonson

Caring For Pearls

If you want a stylish and elegant accessory for any outfit, then you can’t pass up pearls. They’re beautiful and glow with their own luster, and as they’re reasonably neutral in color they can be worn with almost anything. Unlike most other gems, pearls are very soft, so you need to handle them with care and clean them on a regular basis. If you want to keep your pearls looking their best, here are a few hints to help you do it without damaging your pearls.

Cleaning Your Pearls

Firstly, the best way to keep your pearls shining with their natural luster is to clean them with a soft cloth. You should moisten the cloth with water, but never use any type of detergent when cleaning pearls. Pearls are very quick to absorb things like dirt, perfume, and skin oils because they’re so soft. It’s a good idea to clean your pearls after you’ve worn them to stop the pearls from absorbing any dirt or grime.

How To Store Pearls

Pearls prefer being stored at moderate temperatures, and can be damaged or lose their sheen if exposed regularly to extreme temperatures. So the glove box of the car is definitely not a place for your pearls on a hot day! Don’t store them in a place that might get cold or damp, either, like an attic.

Being so soft, pearls scratch very easily, so store them in a box lined with something soft. Or at least wrap them in a soft cloth before you put them away. Most other gemstones, like diamonds, are much harder than pearls, and can give them a nasty scratch if they’re jostled together. If you have to put them in the same box, the pearls must be wrapped up to protect them.

Pearl Safety Tips

Keep chemicals away from pearls, or they will get damaged. Chemicals can erode the pearl’s lustrous surface, leaving them dull. So avoid any alcohol based cleaning fluids, or anything with vinegar. It’s a good idea to put your pearls on just before you leave, so that you don’t accidentally get any makeup or hairspray on them. Both of these can stain or damage your pearls.

As an extra precaution, it might be worth getting your pearl jewelry restrung every year or two. Pearls are often strung on silk thread, and this weakens over time. If you wear your pearls a lot, the constant movement of the pearls can also damage the silk. Although pearls require some care to keep them at their best, it’s definitely worth the effort.

By Mary Amos

There is beauty and drama in Tahitian pearls. They are black in color and this black color comes from the black lips of the oyster of the Pacific Ocean. The water of the Pacific Ocean is warm and this makes the oysters grow large and also produce large pearls.

This oyster being extremely sensitive to the whole process of making pearls, makes the Tahitian pearls very expensive. Although, the main color is black, there will be slight variations and the color of the pearls can sometimes turn out to have tinges of blue, purple or green. They can sometimes be even gold in color.

These pearls are made into a variety of jewelry, such as earrings, studs, necklaces, bracelets, pendants etc. The cost depends on the type of Tahitian pearls used.

Tahitian pearls are graded based on their size, thickness, shape, shine, colors and many other factors. The larger the pearl, the more expensive. They are larger than the Japanese and Chinese pearls. The Tahitian pearl is thick because of several layers surrounding it, much more than the other pearls. Just as in other pearls, the round pearls are most popular, although they come in semi round shapes also.

The flawless pearl that shines with a brilliant clarity is expensive. This pearl is known for its shine and brilliance. Because of the different colors of the Tahitian pearls, they look extraordinary when made into jewelry, in combination of other metals and precious stones.

Because the these pearls are expensive, they are symbolic of richness, sophistication, perfection and luxury. Their beauty has given them the distinguished place as the queen of pearls.

Let me tell you how Tahitian pearls got their name. They are named after the island of Tahiti. The black lipped oysters of Tahiti are the sources for these beautiful mesmerizing pearls.

When buying Tahitian pearl jewelry, it is important to check the color, size, design, quality and setting of the Tahitian pearl. There is a huge difference in price between the inferior quality pearls, that are flawed and small, and the perfect flawless large pearls.

There are a lot of imitation Tahitian pearls sold in the market and you will have to be careful when you buy. There are several ways of checking if the pearls are genuine and original or not. The original Tahitian pearl is heavy while the imitation is light. The original has hues of different shades while the imitation is just a dull flat color.

There are several other ways you can differentiate the original from the imitation. Get a hang of these things first before venturing to buy and get them only from a reputed dealer.

Herman Tumurcuoglu is an consultant of Diamonds. You can find more information here about Tahitian Pearls.

By Herman Tumurcuoglu

Anyone who has seen a pearl farm of a movies or pictures of a modern pearl farm in the ocean or saltwater bays would think that all pearl farms were modern laboratory centered compounds. Some probably guarded with AK-47 wielding guards or else watched very closely. Of course the laboratory is the center of these operations, they might not call it a lab, but the areas where the oyster spat as young oysters are called, are raised, are verybcontrolled. Then there are the areas where the oysters are implanted, of are course very controlled also.

So when it comes to the freshwater pearl farms of China, you can be assured that some are quite modern, but there are a great many pearl farms in China that are small family run businesses. There a farmer might keep a few dozen mussels in his fish pond, along with the ducks and fish that the farmer raises for him or for sale. Contrasted with the large scale farm production right down the road where there are tens of thousands of pearl mussels spread across acres and acres of artificially irrigated land.

Down on the family farm, the ponds produce much more than just pearls. Ducks, pigs, rice, soy beans are all part of the holistic combine. Waste from the animals and plants help to make the ponds nutrient rich for the mussels and fish. Meat from the mussels feeds farm animals and ground mussel shells contribute lime which feeds the soil. They really are quite holistic in their functioning.

And on the opposite extreme are the huge private or cooperative farms that might have 100,000 mussels implanted with mantle tissue waiting for harvest. This type of farm can produce by itself a ton of pearls, and a ton of pearls is a lot of pearls.

All is not idyllic down on the farm. Most ponds are shallow and subject to pollution from runoff, and that same shallowness is the reason for the ponds to eventually fill in from sedimentation. At this point the farmer can move or dig new ponds, leaving the old filled in ponds to be rich beds for the next land crop. It goes full circle.

By Patrick Cavanaughh

Necklaces are a great way to accentuate your features and bring out the glow of your skin. Nowadays, there are many kinds of necklaces you can choose from meaning that you may have a difficult time in deciding what kind of necklace you like best. Necklaces can usually be differentiated according to their lengths and widths. For example, the choker is the shortest necklace at fourteen to sixteen inches long, it is followed by the princess necklace which is eighteen inches long.

Meanwhile, still another type of necklace is the matinee necklace which is at twenty two to twenty three inches long; this type of necklace is usually above the cleavage area. The last type of necklace is the longest one, the opera necklace; this type of necklace is below the cleavage and is placed at the breastbone.

Necklaces have been popular since ancient civilizations; you have probably already encountered the image of Cleopatra, the Egyptian queen, wearing different kinds of jewelry. But in fact, necklaces have been used even before that time because there are some discoveries that suggest that necklaces were used even during the time when the Israelis evacuated Egypt. Also note that from the painting of Thebes, necklaces have been used by people in that era. Both men and women from the ancient civilizations used necklaces whether as a sign of their religion or for cultural purposes.

Right now, necklaces are still being used by both men and women but it is no longer for any religious or cultural purpose; rather, necklaces are being used more as a fashion accessory to be trendy and stylish. In line with this, manufacturers of necklaces have come up with all sorts of designs to suit their varied clientele. For example, one necklace can be made from diamonds and gold while another can be made by simple stainless steel.

Meanwhile, pearl necklaces are especially popular to corporate users because it provides a sophisticated and chic appeal that is especially suited for the workplace. However, the pearl necklace can also be worn for gala events and concerts so the flexibility of this necklace is countless. But, whatever material the necklace is made from, it is sure to be appreciated by its wearer.

Precious gems can also be placed in a necklace setting to give a sense of luxury and elegance to the user. The gems can come in all shapes and sizes and the necklace will give the background it needs to make things even more beautiful. On the other hand, fashionable and individual style choices should not be left out in selecting beautiful necklaces; there are bead necklaces, pearl necklaces, and even fake necklaces to suit a multitude of moods.

There is no limit to the innovations being made to the once traditional necklace. It is really no wonder then that aside from the ring, the necklace is the most preferred type of jewelry being given to your special someone when an occasion arises.

By Eric Hartwell

Jewelry in general is a very popular shopping category among consumers but even more, people seem to be really interested in buying genuine and authentic jewelry from other cultures. This is actually very easy to understand, considering the beauty that some of these cultures put into their work, as well as their passion.

The Chinese were one of the first first cultures to start making jewelry, well over 5,000 years ago. And after that everyone else followed along and decided to do it as well. The Chinese make some really love rings as well. You can find these rings on many sites by searching on your favorite search engine or even your favorite Oriental site. Here are a few examples of the type of rings that are offered to men and women when it comes to Oriental Rings.

Men -

Tibetan Mantra
Dragon And Phoenix
Red Dragon
Jade
Chinese Ban Zhi Ring
Opal
Carnelian
Tibetan-Style Elliptical Dragon
Black Onyx
Eagle

Women -

Floral Cloisonne Ring
Black Pearls
Pearl
Jade
Tibetan Style Ring—Giving You My Heart (looks sort of like the Irish Claddagh)
Tibetan Mantra Ring
Quinquangular Ring

Of course there are more options, if you would like to find these options take a look nline. You can also try some of the sites below and see what comes up for you!

- Oriental Jade Jewelry - Obvious to the name, this site specializes in Jade jewelry and necklaces. Very honest prices! Good source of all sorts of jewelry items! They have a lot of really nice items on their site so make sure you check these out!

- Asian Pearls Net - This site has products like Lavender jade, black pearls, turquoise and coral and much more.

- World Jewelry Store - Chinese Jewelry, Necklaces, Pendants, Symbols, Characters

- Titanium Era - This site is actually a regular jewelry type site, but they also have some really nice oriental rings and some really good prices. I bought a ring here a few years ago for a few hundred dollars, and they had the best price by far. Check out Kanji Mom, Kanji I Love You, Double Happiness, Buddha, etc.

Some of these rings are very elegant, with white silky pearls, and silver. Others have a more Oriental flair to them, with dragons, peonies, or other floral designs. They also come in virtually any color. From blacks and whites to purples and blues to reds and oranges, you’re sure to find the ring that suits your needs as well as your style.

By Kristi Ambrose