Pearls Grading and Quality

How are pearls graded?

Unlike with other gems such as diamonds, there is no sole, universal grading system for pearls. A jeweler or seller may, however, use one or more of the systems shown here to give an idea of the quality.

GRADING SYSTEMS: the most commonly and internationally used is the AAA-A scale, (AAA, AA and A) grading system. (Sometimes + is added to one of these to make an intermediate grading such as AA+ or A+. Some sellers use AAAA or AAA+ for individual, unmatched pearls.)

Pearls of AAA are recognized as gem-quality with flawless complexion, spherical shape, and intense luster. Even a single 'A' grade pearl will have good luster, be relatively smooth and fairly free of blemishes, and have a thin to medium nacre thickness.

There is also the so-called Tahitian system, which grades on an A to D scale. This system demands a nacre thickness of greater than 0.8mm.

Both of these grading systems focus primarily on the luster and surface quality of the pearl to determine its grade.

The GIA (Gemological Institute of America) has its own scale, the GIA trademarked '7 Pearl Value Factors': Pearl Size, Shape, Color, Nacre, Luster, Surface, and Matching.


Whatever the order the standards appear in, it is generally agreed that LUSTER is the most important factor in grading.
It is LUSTER that makes the pearl unique.
It is the pearl's radiant glow that comes from light reflecting off of the many layers of nacre.

The quality of the luster is related to the THICKNESS AND QUALITY OF THE NACRE.
The thicker the nacre and the thinner and the more numerous the layers of nacre in the pearl, the finer the luster and the more durable the pearl.

The SURFACE of the pearl is also a major factor. Smoothness and blemishes are very important in grading. No real pearl is absolutely smooth, and small blemishes can be ignored when the pearl has fine nacre and luster. Blemishes are less noticeable on pearls with higher luster.

SHAPE. Spherical pearls are the rarest; symmetrical ones, tear-drop shaped, for example, are still desirable, especially when well-matched. The more irregular, baroque ones are the least expensive usually, but are perfectly acceptable when mounted or set nicely. And a perfectly round pearl is very rare indeed. Since many non-spherical freshwater pearls have fabulous luster, roundness is not given as much value. Pearls with the best luster are better than pearls with with lesser luster but more
perfect roundness.

COLOR: A pearl's body color can be anywhere from white through gray, pink, gold, green, to black such as the Tahitian Black. Darker pearls range in color from dark bluish,
greenish, to peacock and multi-hued. The overtones are also important. A pearl whose body color is white (more expensive and sought-after) or cream may have subtle overtones of rose or pink, for example.

SIZE matters, too. Larger cultured pearls are rarer and more expensive. In particular, Akoya pearls over 7 millimeters become much more costly. Prices rise with each millimeter. The larger South Sea and Tahitian pearls increase dramatically in price with size: 100 or 200 percent with each millimeter.

MATCHING:  All of the above factors are important when matching the pearls in an item of jewelry. In a beaded strand the pearls usually graduate slowly and evenly in size, from the smallest at the back to the largest in the front. Pearls will not lay correctly if mismatched, and this reduces the aesthetics and the value of the piece.

Author : Michael Briton

Picture Credit :

http://www.pearlsofjoy.com/Pearl-Grading_ep_46-1.html

http://www.tiffany925necklace.com/graduated-south-sea-shell-multicolor-pearl-necklace-16-p-1742.html

http://www.shecypearljewelry.com/pearl-guide/pearl-quality.html

Pearl For All

The natural pearl is one of the oldest known gems in the world and the only one produced inside a living being. Until just a hundred year ago, pearls were the preserve of aristocracy and royalty. And now, since sources of both freshwater and saltwater natural pearls have all but disappeared due to pollution and overfishing, the chances of finding a quality pearl in nature are literally a million to one.

Nowadays, pearls can be cultured in a natural controlled environment, either in sea water or fresh water. Though it may take years for a cultured pearl to develop fully, and the areas in which they can be cultivated are limited, they are no longer prohibitively expensive. The quality of freshwater pearls in particular is as fine as that of those cultivated in salt water and even rivals the natural pearl for iridescence and durability.

Natural handmade jewelry designs use the cultured freshwater pearl in a new collection featuring handmade necklaces, bracelets, earrings and earstuds in settings that accent the pearl's natural luster and appeal. In keeping with the trend for beaded jewelry, they are strung on pearl-friendly material such as linen, that does not grate against the nacre. A silver setting for earrings and studs offsets the pearl to its best advantage.

Freshwater pearls come in a greater variety of colors and shapes than their saltwater counterparts; they are all nacre, solid pearl, and cost a fraction of the price of saltwater pearls of equivalent quality. They are more resistant to wear and tear and when properly looked after can last indefinitely.

It used to be said that a strand of pearls is an essential item in a lady's jewelry collection, and for men it is a pearl tie pin or a pair of pearl cufflinks. More recently, earstuds or a single-pearl necklace or pendant on a leather cord have become popular items for both men and women.

Author : Michael Briton

Picture Credit : 

http://www.japanese-akoya-pearl.com/
http://www.beadinpath.com/PER-1189-p-freshwater_pearls_multi.html

Pearl Earrings

The jewelry market is always changing in terms of fashion and style it uses. If we talk about the earrings we come to know that there are so many designs out there to select from. There are so many things to keep in mind before purchasing these earrings such as metal , shape weight ext....
For example the earring in the picture are 92.5 sterling silver  
But now other metals and substances are also used to make these earrings. Pearl earrings are one of the most  popular desings today.
They come with different colors and shapes which give an elegant look and boost your personality when you wear them.

Pearl earrings are very simple and available for all population levels as the pearls have different grades then they have also different prices ,and still looks precious. That is why pearl earrings are worn by people who have the taste for simple things. It is a fact that there are so many royal families in the world who prefer pearl over diamond jewelry. The reason is that they are very natural and symbol of permanence. Pearls are really unique in nature if we talk about the quality.

The pearl earrings are very beautiful and designed according to the taste of every customer. Every woman should have this earring. These earrings are great quality, and they are able to add style to your cloth. It is not difficult for anybody to take care of the pearl earrings. It is possible for you to take care of your lovely pearl earrings. They are produced by natural creations. Because pearls are natural that’s why they don’t react with chemicals, which are used in cleaning the pearl earrings. These pearl earrings can be worn with other jewelries like engagement rings, cubic zircon necklaces and eternity bands.

Jewelry for Christmas

The time passed by to the end of the year again. Christmas is coming, I bet that many people will be busy with finding some gift for this celebration. And cannot be denied that JEWELRY is the most popular one that people choose to be gift. As everyone know, woman and jewelry are concomitant, either teenager or adult. So before choosing the gift, you should to know what women want.

No matter how many years passed, the world most popular selling jewelry for Christmas is PEARL. Because of the simple style and luxuries looks that make pearl suit to be the present for every age of women, and absolutely that they cannot denied to wear it. For the Christmas, the white pearl is more prefer than pink or black. The cause is the white color is match with color of snow and trends of winter, and natural white color of pearl is also match with every colors and every style of cloths. Either earrings or ring, necklace, and bracelet, everything which decorated by pearl are pleased.

Besides pearl jewelries, the another jewelry that popular in Christmas is the jewelry that feature by Turquoise and Coral Stone (or other jewels that appeared in green or red color). The reason that these 2 natural stones are also prefer for Christmas is their colors. If talk about Christmas, the colors that appeared in mind are green of Christmas tree, red of Santa Clause, and gold of bell. So the jewelries that decorated by turquoise or coral is very match with this celebration.

Someone may think that why I don't say about diamond, despite that diamond is also popular. The reason is diamond is always popular and it can be the present in every season. So I would like to share about another jewelry and gemstone that also popular in Christmas. By the way, all that I suggest is just only my opinion and experience. So you are the only one to judge what is the best Christmas present for your recipients.

I hope it not too fast to say "Merry Christmas" :)

Mother of Pearl, From the Past...to Today

Mother of pearl is an inner shell layer which produced by some mollusks to makes up pearls. It also insulates mollusks from bacterial infection, and reduces irritation from organic material which drifts into the shell. Irregularities often form in the mother of pearl as a result of irritation. If the irritation is extensive enough, the mollusk will form a large bump, that's called a pearl. The mother of pearl is strong but flexible and iridescent layer. It is also the primary material used in pearl nucleus manufacturing. Pearl oysters and abalone are both sources of mother of pearl. Besides jewelry, mother of pearl also widely used in furniture and music instruments.

In every jewelry shop, you can find the necklace's pendant that's made from mother of pearl, also big and small pendant. Since 7 years ago, the mother of pearl became popular for used to made big necklace's pendant. Either natural texture or cut styles were worldwide release. After that the mother of pearl was mixed with stone, silver, and another materials followed the fashion, while the big mother of pearl pendant was still popular.

Nowadays, mother of pearl not only used for make the pendant for necklace or bracelet, but also shape for make and decorate the earrings, ear studs, ring, and other jewelries. Absolutely that the mother of pearl is beautiful and equally popular with pearl.

Picture Credit:

http://focus.aps.org/story/v20/st1

http://www.naturalhandmadejewelry.com

General Information about PEARL that you should know

If talked about jewelry, I'm surly that peal is one of the first jewel that many people love it. Pearl is the most popular jewel and it is the only one jewel that occur from the creature.

Pearl can divided to 2 kinds are saltwater pearl and freshwater pearl. They are sometime look quite similar but come from different sources. The saltwater pearl grow within pearl oyster which live in ocean. They are usually cultivated in protected lagoon. While natural freshwater cultured pearl grow within many species of freshwater mussels which live in lake, pond, and river. These pearl also occur in hotter and colder climates more temperate areas. Many countries are export the freshwater pearl, nonetheless the most of freshwater cultured pearls which sold today come from China.

Many people think that the real pearl have to be round shape only and others shape are artificial pearl. In fact, there is one kind of pearl that is irregular shape called "Baroque Pearl". Cultured freshwater pearls are most commonly baroque, because freshwater pearls are mantle-tissue nucleated instead of bead nucleated. Thus the baroque pearl is rarely perfectly rounded and can appear in oval shape. The most of artificial pearl is make from plastic, glass, or resin that sometime look similar the real pearl. However there are many way to proved it such as "The Tooth Test" by rub the surface of the pearl over the teeth. If it is the real pearl, a gritty or bumpy feeling against the teeth. On the other hand, if it is the artificial pearl, would feel smooth against the teeth. By the way some article says the tooth test is not reliable. The other one easily way to check the pearl is "Sun Test", by taking the pearl out into the sun or holding it under very bright indoor lighting. The real pearl won't be perfectly matched under the sun or variations in their orient and color, conversely the artificial pearl is perfectly matched for color and overtone.

Commonly we can find just the white pearl, pink pearl, and black pearl in the shop or market, but actually there are many colors of pearl such as blue, champagne, green, purple, and other tints colors. The reason that these colors of pearls are rarely to find is they can be found only from the ocean. So it may take years to collect them enough for make just one necklace or jewelry.

Picture Credit:

http://www.mbase.com.au/Products/CL4languageanddatabase/tabid/282/Default.aspx

http://villacoragems.com/whitebaroquepearlnecklace.aspx

http://applesofgold.com/jewelryblog/tag/south-sea-pearl-necklace/