Fine pearls are one of the least known and most niche gems in the jewellery world. Even professional jewelers often encounter difficulties in identifying pearl types, understanding grading standards and pearl values.
So it’s no surprise that there are many questions to answer before investing in hundreds or even thousands of dollars to buy a fine pearl necklace or pair of earrings.
You may already know what kind of jewelry you want to buy (such as pearl necklaces, earrings, full jewelry, etc.), so let’s first focus on how to choose the right type of pearl, and then return to jewelry design and budget issues.
The right pearl type
When you decide to buy a beautiful pearl necklace (or a pair of earrings), what kind of pearl necklace should you buy? First, we need to know the type of pearl. There are four main types of pearls to choose from:
Japanese seawater cultured pearl
Chinese freshwater pearl
Tahiti pearls from French Polynesia
White or gold South Sea pearls from Australia and the Philippine Islands
Each has its own unique beauty, size range, pearl color and budget parameters.
So when you don’t know these types of pearls well, you should look for relevant information before buying.
The perfect pearl size
In general, the most popular size is in the range of 7.0-9.5mm, which is considered to be the most traditional and versatile pearl size purchase.
The bigger the pearl (all other attributes, such as gloss, shape and surface quality), the more valuable they are.
The right necklace length
The most popular and versatile pearl necklace length is known as the 18-inch “Princess Length” pearl necklace. This length is considered to be the “modern classic” length and should be 1.5 to 2.0 inches below the throat, suitable for a variety of necklines and garments.
How to judge the grade of pearl
Luster – this makes or breaks pearls as a gem. Gloss describes the way light is reflected from the surface of the pearl (sharp and highly reflective or soft and Blurry ). The brighter the pearl, the higher the value.
Surface quality – Smooth, clean pearls are more important than pearls with a variety of inclusions.
Symmetrical shape – the true round pearl is the rarest of all pearls and the most precious. After that, we look for completely symmetrical semi-baroque shapes, such as teardrops and ovals, then wrap around Baroque, and finally a completely asymmetrical free form Baroque.
Color – the various colors of the rainbow with the rainbow (literally!) This value factor is weighted according to whether the color appears naturally, the depth and saturation of the color, and the rarity of the color.
Size-large, perfectly symmetrical pearls are rare and take many years to form inside the oysters. If other value factors are the same, the bigger the pearl, the more valuable it is.
Origin – The value of artificially cultured (farmed) pearls that dominate the pearl industry today varies by pearl type: freshwater (cheapest), brine Akoya (mid-range), Hetahiti (medium-grade) and South China Sea (highest). We also consider whether pearls are farmed or natural/wild. Natural pearls – pearls formed without any human help – are extremely rare and expensive.
Matching – Depending on the type of pearl, it may take many years to carefully match a delicate pearl necklace. You are looking for a stable, smooth graduation rate from the smallest to the largest pearl center, no variation of pearls, pearl luster, shape, color, overtone and surface quality (multicolor lines give a little more room for manoeuvre, but still must There is an overall harmonious “tone”).
The vast majority of pearls are not perfect. There is almost always an imperfection such as an issue with the shape, a slight indentation or slightly off color to it (even if ever so slight). There is a reason why “perfect” pearl necklaces can set you back tens of thousands of dollars, if not more. It is because finding individual, perfect pearls to make a single necklace is exceptionally difficult. In all likelihood, if the necklace you’re looking at is too perfect, it either is fake or worth tens, if not hundreds of thousands of dollars. The chances of you finding a rare, “perfect” pearl necklace at a street vender is extremely slim (especially if they are selling multiple perfect necklaces).
When a real pearl is rubbed against another real pearl, a pearl powder is produced. The same effect is seen if a real pearl is lightly scrubbed using a knife. If two fake pearls are rubbed against each other, the process is smooth, and no powder is produced.
Knock two real pearls against each other, and a soft and unique sound is produced. When counterfeit pearls are knocked together, the sound that is produced is very slight.
These stones are formed in mollusks. In salt water, pearls are found in oysters, while in fresh water, pearls are produced by mussels. When a foreign substance (such as a food particle) enters a mollusc, the animal protects itself by covering the stimulus with a nacre. The nacre is also a substance that imparts luster to the jewel. The basic function of this food grain is the core of the gemstone, which will become larger and larger with the application of the nacre over time.
When it comes to jewelry, you may want a classic pearl necklace or a pair of earrings that are different. From traditional to modern, from fashion to fashion, the market offers a different choice for each style. Wearing a colorful pearl bracelet will make you stand out from the crowd and give you an elegant feeling. They are suitable for any occasion – all you have to do is to use your imagination. When buying jewelry, consider both your budget and your personal style to find the one that works best for you.
Hawaiians call Pearl Harbor Puluoya because they collect oysters from the bay as food, not pearls. They used shells to decorate bowls and make hooks. The gems in the oysters were not used until the early 19th century, when foreign settlers discovered the bay and its rich bivalve molluscs, and for the first time named it Pearl Harbor. Kamehameha, the king of Hawaii, implemented a pearling campaign to meet the foreign demand for pearls. However, due to deforestation and overgrazing in the area around the port in the 1840s, the bay was filled with mud from rain. In the 20th century, oysters suffered enormously and were almost extinct.
The time required for pearl development depends on a variety of factors. In general, freshwater types are formed much faster than brine types. Small saltwater pearls may take only 6 months to develop, while large ones may take 4 years.
Pearl is one of the most classic and exquisite gems. They look like they are in the office, in the opera house, or just hanging out on the street. If you are considering investing in these amazing gems, keep in mind that their value is incredibly good. In addition, the treasure of the ocean is likely to be a heirloom, you can pass on from generation to generation. Understanding these amazing gems seems overwhelming because there are too many factors to consider. However, let us hope that this question – “What is a pearl” no longer needs to be answered!
A pearl is a hard, gleaming object that is produced in soft tissues (especially mantle) of shell mollusks or other animals, such as panicles. Pearls, like the shells of mollusks, are composed of calcium carbonate (mainly aragonite or a mixture of aragonite and calcite) in tiny crystal forms and deposited in concentric layers.