AMAZING PEARLS Long known as the “Queen of Gems” pearls possess a history and allure far beyond what today’s wearer may recognize. Throughout much of recorded history, a natural pearl necklace comprised of matched spheres was a treasure of almost incomparable value, in fact the most expensive jewelry in the world. Now we see pearls almost as accessories, relatively inexpensive decorations to accompany more costly gemstones. SYMBOLS OF HEALTH AND POWER Before the creation of cultured pearls were reserved almost exclusively for the noble and very rich. A jewelry item that today’s working women might take for granted, a 16- inch strand of perhaps 50 pearls, often costs between $500 and $5000. At the height of the Roman Empire, when pearl fever reached its peak, the historian Suetonius Wrote that the Roman general Vitellius financed an entire military campaign by selling first one of his mother’s pearl Earrings’. No one will ever know who were the earliest to collect and wear pearls. George Fredrick Kunz, whom I like to call America’s first gemologist, in his 1908 masterpiece, THE BOOK OF THE PEARLS, states his belief that an ancient fish – eating tribe, perharps along the cost of India, initially appreciated the shape and hustle of saltwater pearls, which they discovered while opening oysters for food. TYPES OF PEARLS Cephas is a leading jeweler shop in Lagos where they, offer 4 of the major types of pearls which are Akoya, freshwater, south sea and Tahitan pearls. Each type of pearl has its own unique qualities and differences making them special from each other. Knowing these qualities allows you to make informed decision when selecting your own pearl jewelry. According to the CEO, Ada Maduneme, their certified experts understand the differences in these 4 types of pearls. ‘’We travels the world looking for the perfect collection of pearls that we can put together to create the beautiful sets of PEARL JEWELRY’’. Below, is the overall characteristics of each types of pearl we select to gain an understanding of the quality of the pearl you are interested in. AKOYA PEARLS The Akoya oyster’s scientific name pintada fucata, are smaller than other pearl oysters, saltwater pearls produced in Japan. Shape -70% to 80% round or near round, 20% to 30% baroque or semi – baroque and – body color from white, cream, luster – from excellent good to fair. FRESHWATER PEARLS Freshwater pearls cultural in mussel’s scientific name Hyriopsis cumingi (Triangle shell mussel), produced primarily in Japan and some in North America. Most freshwater pearl farmers nucleate mussels with mantle tissue only, while saltwater nucleated inset mantle tissue and bead nuclei. Shape – 20% round, near round and semi round, 60%oral, button and coin, 38% baroque and semi-baroque. Color – white, cream, gold, peach, pink, purple, may have rose or green over tone. TAHITIAN PEARLS Tahitian pearls first introduced to international market in the mid – 1970’s, cultivated in black lipped oyster, scientific name is pinctada mary aritifera cumingi. The island of Tahiti is the ceuter of commerce of French Polynesia, Fire Island groups make up French Polynesia. A pearl is a Tahitian pearl only if it is cultured in Polynesia. Shape – 40% round and near –round, 20% oval, button and drop, 40% baroque and semi – baroque. Color – black, grey, green, blue, peacock, Auber give and pistachio. SOUTH SEA PEARLS South sea pearls are cultivated in either silver – lipped oyster or gold – lipped oyster; the names are derived from the color of the shell interiors’ outer edge, scientific name prnctada maxima. In the cost of Australia, Indonesia and phillipires are the birth place of south sea pearls. Australia began commercial pearl culturing in the mid – 1950’s, and supply about 60% of the world’s supply of south sea pearls. Indonesia focuses on the gold lipped oyster, and produce more cream and yellow pearls than Australia. Generally, south sea pearls are the largest cultured pearls on the market. Shape – 10% to 30% round and near round, 40% to 60% oval, button and semi – baroque. Color – white, cream, silver, yellow (Gold) and blue can have rose or green overtone. DISTINGUISH BETWEEN PRECIOUS PEARLS AND FASHION ACCESSORY PEARLS.
IMITATION PEARLS | REALS PEARLS |
1 Fake pearls typically have no variation in size or shape due to their machced nature. | 1 Real pearl will usually not have uniform colour and iridescence unless they are of high quality and cost. |
2 Imitation pearls have slight deformities, as if the pearls had melted during the drilling process. | 2 Real pearls are rarely uniform in size and shape. |
3 If the settings are of cheap materials, it’s safe to assume that peal is probably not of great value | 3 Genuine peals is always surrounded by precious stones and melted. |
There is no rule as to wearing your pearl jewelry. It’s a matter choice, and it all depends on the occasion. HOW TO CARE FOR YOUR PEARLS JEWELRY
- Protect your pearl jewelry by placing it in a piece of soft cloth, like cotton, linen or silk. Do not place them in a plastic bag or near a heat source since this can cause your pearls to lose their moisture.
- Clean your pearls with a moisture soft cloth. Never use commercial jewelry cleaner an ultrasonic cleaning machine or an abrasive material like baking soda or ketches cleaners.
- Put your pearls jewelry on after you have finished applying makeup, hair spray or fragrances. These substances can leave a fine coating on your pearls that will erode their luster.
- Resting your pearls every2 years at the jewelry stone. The silk threads joining the strands together can wear out. Have the jeweler tie knots in the silk between each other. The knots will also keep you from losing all your pearls if the thread should break.