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Pearl Care & Where
Pearl is formed in shellfish as a reactant to an irritant such as a piece of sand. Cultured pearls are created by adding a piece of mussel or shell inside of an oyster of mussel. This then creates a pearl as layers of the inside of the shell grow over the added substance. Pearls are generally white, brown, silver, cream, black or pink depending on the type of shellfish and water. Pearl has a hardness of 3.
The price of pearls vary widely as a result of luster, size, how they were grown, color and type. Natural pearls are the most expensive, followed by cultured pearls. Fresh water pearls tend to be relatively inexpensive. We offer a nice selection
Some say rubbing a pearl against their teeth can determine whether a pearl is real or fake since fake ones will feel too smooth. Fake pearls will usually be either too heavy (inside is filled with glass) or too light (inside is plastic). The most reliable method of testing if a pearl is natural or cultured is a combination of the X-radiography and X-ray fluorescence testing procedures.
Pearls are less durable than most gems. They are sensitive to acids, dryness, and humidity. If you wear cosmetics and/or perfume, put these on before wearing your pearl jewelry. When taking off your pearls, wipe them with a dry, lint-free cloth. If needed, clean your pearls with warm soapy water being very careful to not get water into the drill hole as the pearl may discolor. Dry your pearls flat on an absorbant soft (preferably lint-free) towel.
Always store your pearl necklaces flat as the silk will stretch. Store pearls separately from other jewelry as they will scratch. Store pearls in a dry environment. Avoid using plastic bags (as moisture may get trapped and cause damage).
Reputable dealers will not use the following misleading terms. However, for your protection, I am listing them here:
"Roman pearls" are really glass bead pearls.
Natural Pearls have been harvested from the Red Sea, Gulf of Manaar, and the Persian Gulf. The coasts of Australia and Polynesia produce mostly cultured pearls. Fresh water pearls occur in many rivers in places such as: Austria, France, Scotland, Ireland, and the USA
Pearl Books
Actual Gem-related books:
- The Pearl Buying Guide - by Renee Newman
How to buy pearls effectively. - The Pearl Book: The Definitive Buying Guide: How to Select, Buy, Care for & Enjoy Pearls - by Antoinette L. Matlins
Everything you need to buy beautiful pearls with confidence. - The Pearl Buying Guide - by Fred Ward
A book about how to buy pearls. - The Book of the Pearl: The History, Art, Science and Industry of the Queen of Gems - by George Frdrick Kunz, Charles Hugh Stevenson
Reprint of the work originally published by The Century Company in 1908. - CULTURED PEARLS - The First Hundred Years - by Andy Muller
History of pearls. - Pearl Makers: The Tidemarsh Guide to Clams, Oysters, Mussels, and Scallops - by Mervin F. Roberts
- The Curious Lore of Precious Stones - by George Frederick Kunz
The definitive book on fascinating, traditional gem lore. Very practical. - Gemstones (Eyewitness Handbooks) - by Cally Hall, Harry Taylor (Photographer)
A field guide to gemstones. Nice pictures and good, brief, well-written descriptions of over 130 varieties of gemstones. - Gemisphere Luminary - by Michael Katz
My favorite reference for the mystical properties of gemstones.
Thanks to Amazon.com for fast, efficient, and reliable book processing
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