Pearls That Defines Your Personalityby Deepti MehtaIn simple, a pearl is a hard, rounded object produced by certain mollusks, primarily oysters. Pearl is valued as a gemstone and is cultivated or harvested for jewellery.Pearls are different from other gemstones because they are not extracted from rocks but reaped from mollusks, especially oysters. A pearl is formed when an irritant such as sand gets caught inside the oyster. To protect itself, the oyster secretes a substance akin to mucus. This substance builds up around the sand and hardens. The end result is a pearl. There are four different types of pearls: Akoya, Freshwater, South Sea and Tahitian. Each pearl type is unique with the color, size and shape. Akoya pearls are the most popular pearl type. They are cultured in pearls from saltwater mollusks from Japan and China. Akoya pearls are popular for their luster and beauty. Freshwater pearl jewelry is made with cultured freshwater pearls mostly from China made in a freshwater mollusk in a lake, pond or river. They are similar in look to the Akoya pearls, but are less expensive because they are generally smaller and less symmetrical. South Sea pearls are larger pearls that come in a range of light colors. South Sea pearls are harder to cultivate and therefore more expensive. Black Tahitian pearl is darker and larger. They are very unique and expensive because of the complicated cultivation process. You all know that it is a long and tedious process to find oysters that have ingested a piece of sand to produce a pearl. The longer a pearl stays inside an oyster, the larger it becomes. The basic qualities of a pearl are luster, color, size, lack of surface flaw and symmetry. But according to the jewelers, luster is the most important differentiator of pearl quality. Large, perfectly round pearls are rare and highly valued. Pearls come in eight basic shapes: round, semi-round, button, drop, pear, oval, baroque and ringed. Perfectly round pearls are the rarest and most expensive and are generally used in necklaces or strings of pearls. Semi-rounds are also used in necklaces or in pieces where the shape of the pearl can be disguised to look like it is a perfectly round pearl. Button pearls are like a slightly flattened round pearl and can also make a necklace, but are more often used in single pendants or earrings where the back half of the pearl is covered, making it look like a larger, round pearl. Baroque pearls are mostly seen in necklaces and ringed pearls are used for rings. Necklaces can also be classified as uniform, where all the pearls are the same size, graduated, where the pearls are arranged in size from large in the centre to smaller at the ends, or tin cup, where pearls are generally the same size, but separated by lengths of chain. Pearl jewelry need proper care; keep it away from household cleaners and beauty products, such as hairspray, perfume and lotion. Chemical products will damage the layer of nacre, resulting in dulling of the surface. The best way to keep your pearl necklace beautiful is by wearing it. Your body's natural oils can keep it lustrous. Wipe your pearls with a soft cloth and keep them away from the other necklaces in storage to avoid scratches. Many people have concerns about buying something as important as a pearls or pearl jewelry online. You've taken the time to educate yourself about buying pearls, now take the time to educate yourself about buying online -- because you'll generally find better prices and better selections at online pearl jewelry stores. The Internet offers a number of unique shopping advantages, whether you're a first-time purchaser or an e-shopping veteran. It is a speedy as well as convenient process. There are numerous online shopping stores that help you to make your selection at proper prices. Article Source: Free Reprint Articles |
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