Category: Pearl Jewelry

Purchasing pearls does not have to be difficult if you know what you are looking for. Some people have even passed up very good deals on pearls because they do not know how to tell if they are top quality or imitation.

Pearls have two different grading systems: the AAA-A system and the A-D system.

The AAA-A system is most common with freshwater pearls, but is used in other instances as well.

* AAA is the designation for essentially flawless pearls, with a great deal of luster and almost no apparent defects. Any defects present must cover less than 5% of the pearl’s surface.

* AA means that the pearls have high luster and the surfaces are at least 75% blemish free.

* The rating of “A” is given to a low jewelry grade pearl that displays a small amount of surface luster along with 25% or more surface blemishing.

The A-D Pearl Grading System is used for pearls from Tahiti or the South Seas. Though it is close to the AAA-A rating system be certain which system your pearls are being rated on when purchasing “A” grade pearls.

* The highest grade “A” in the A-D system is used for pearls with a great deal of luster and less than 10% of the surface having defects.

* The rating “B” denotes pearls with high to medium luster and up to 30% surface imperfections.

* Grade “C” pearls have medium luster (and rarely high) with 60% of the surface covered in defects.

* Grade “D” pearls have more than 60% of their surface with imperfections. Even if these pearls have a great deal of luster, the large amount of imperfections makes the pearls substandard in quality, but they are still accepted for use in jewelry. Pearls graded below this level are not approved for use in jewelry.

Here are some top tips that can help you make the best selection to add to your own private jewelry collection.

Pearls are graded in a similar manner to diamonds, and the following 5 categories are involved:

* Luster, shape, color, surface and size of all of these, size is least important when it comes to value.

1. Decide if you want to purchase natural pearls, cultured pearls, freshwater pearls, or a synthetic variety. The natural pearls and some of the cultured specimens will be the most expensive.

2. The luster of pearls is one of the main factors that make them desirable and valuable. Luster is measured in terms of how light reflective the entire pearl surface is. You should choose your pearls based on the degree of luster as opposed to size. Because pearls are naturally formed blemishes often occur, and a small imperfection does not always detract from the appearance. While these minute flaws result in a lower cost to consumers, the amount of luster may be enough to make these pearls an excellent buy.

3. Always remember that larger pearls can be less valuable than the smaller ones because they often have flaws and blemishes. It is extremely rare to find a perfectly round large pearl with high luster and few blemishes.

4. Pearls that are perfectly round are the most desirable, followed by those with a teardrop shape. This should be kept in mind as you make your selections. Large pearls are likelier to be asymmetric, which can appeal to some collectors, especially if it’s worked cleverly into jewelry, but usually they’re less valuable.

5. When you are searching for a quality pearl necklace it is important to look for pearls that are well matched in size, symmetry, and luster.

6. When strung on silk cord, pearls need knots tied between each of the pearls. These knots help protect the surfaces of each pearl and keep them from chipping or bumping against each other.

7. You should always make sure that the pearls you select are from a reputable dealer whom you can trust.

There are different styles of pearl necklaces that you might consider and here are the most common classifications.

* Collar necklaces are those that are made from 3 strands of pearls. These necklaces can accent many of your outfits and are more formal than some of the other necklace options.

* Pearl chokers are roughly 14 to 16 inches in length. Most of them are designed so the pearls rest on the collarbone, accenting the lines of the throat. This is a very classic style that has a timeless elegance.

* Princess necklaces are single pearl strands ranging from 16 to 20 inches in length. They resemble a longer princess necklace and can be worn with casual or formal clothing choices.

* The matinee pearl necklaces are 20-25 inches long and the strand is often doubled so that it resembles a “choker necklace”. These are worn occasionally with casual clothing, but are a fashionable selection for more formal evening attire.

* A pearl rope necklace is quite dramatic with a length of 40-72 inches. The length of this jewelry selection gives it an amazing amount of versatility. The necklace can be tripled up as a high choker, worn around the waist, or threaded through coiffure settings. They can even be used to drape down the back for a low back evening dress.

Freshwater pearls originate from freshwater mussels, which live in ponds, lakes and rivers. Traditionally, they are produced in Japan and the United States on small scales but currently China dominates the freshwater pearl market. Production has greatly improved from the 1990s through to 2000s in China. According to the Times Online, China produces approximately 90% of pearl necklaces globally and with 1,600 tonnes of pearls produced annually, accounting for more than 95 per cent of world pearl production.

Prior to the 90s, China was accused for undermining the pearl market with poor quality pearls. Over the last two decades, China starts to commercial its pearl production processes and investing in R&D to eliminate mussel related diseases. China is now making much higher quality pearls at low costs, stirring its counterpart pearl markets. The high-end pearls from China are freshwater farmed, a process that has become increasingly automated, allowing producers to sell their pearls at lower prices.

While the Chinese freshwater pearls are not the same as the saltwater forms, they do make the gems more affordable to the average consumers. The price gap reveals remaining differences in hue and lustre between saltwater pearls and freshwater pearls. It is very easy for a jeweller to spot these differences when comparing freshwater pearls against saltwater pearls.

A white south sea pearl necklace strandis gleaming with silvery white pearls whereas an equivalent size freshwater pearl necklace with similar blemish free pearls will have a slightly chalky hue. This is largely due to the species of mussels used. Freshwater mussels are usually pinky or orangey on the insides, resulting in less than whiter pearls. However, freshwater pearl necklace with great shape and surface costs much less than south sea pearl necklace or Tahitian pearl necklace, sometimes at about 10 times less or more.

Affordability aside, freshwater pearls have solid nacre, making them quite durable, resisting chipping, wear, and degeneration under normal wearing conditions.

Pacific Pearl shell, or Mother of Pearl, is a true treasure of the deep and is absolutely stunning when polished and carved. It has layers of gold or black through the silver/white pearl which seem to shift and swirl around as the carvings are turned. Pacific Pearl Shell Jewelry comes in gold lipped or black lipped varieties which often reach 10 inches or more in diameter. Pearl is almost as hard as jade so is a wonderful long lasting material intricate carvings.

Due to the wide range of coloration and layer formation in the shell, it is impossible for two pieces to ever be the same. The carvings also often look totally different on each side. Colours are therefore indicative only and may vary considerably between carvings. Please note that due to the relatively thin nature of pearl shell in general and black pearl shell in particular, larger carvings may be quite flat on the back.

SPECIAL NOTE: Due to an extreme shortage of gold lipped pearl shell worldwide, many designs are now in very limited supply.

Pearl cockatiel is identified through its pearl markings which are usually found in its back, nape and wings. They have scallop-like feathers and they have established the third mutation of the cockatiel species. It is significant to note that the pearl in their body is the effect of their feather pattern changes not a color change.

The pearl cockatiel has many nicknames such as the pearled cockatiel, laced cockatiel, pearly tiels, pearly cockatiel, pearl tiels and opaline cockatiel. The part of their body wherein the wings, nape and back feathers are edged or laced with the yellow or white color is known as pearling. While there are deeply pearled birds, there are lightly pearled ones as well.

Male species of the pearl cockatiel do not lose this pearling though it can faint for some time and that only the heavily pearled ones are seen with the markings for long. Conversely, the female pearl cockatiels do not lose these markings throughout their life. Pearling patterns vary from small to big patterns. Yellow pearl cockatiels can look like cinnamon mutations with tannish brown coloring rather than gray or black. They are sometimes called as Golden Pearls.

Pearl cockatiel mutations can extend to 30 centimeters tall. Wild cockatiels travel in flocks, thus influencing their behavior during captivity. This communal ‘flock’ nature makes them suitable as pets. They can adapt readily breed and adapt to changes. What’s good about them is that they may be left by themselves for long, provided that they are properly nourished. They do not have loud noise, thus you will not complain about that.

Pearl cockatiel, just like other cockatiel species, loves to climb perches and play inside its cage. Thus, it would be very best for you to provide it with perches and various toys to enhance these habits and practices. Additionally, let them spend some time away from their cage if you have the chance to do so. Aside from that, cockatiels whistle and imitate speech. This is mostly evident in male pearl cockatiels. Telling whether a pearl cockatiel is male or female could be hard until the males lose their pearl complexion after some time. Female cockatiels never lose this coloration, thus this could be your significant indicator. From their initial molt, males lose their markings and return to gray after several years. The truth is, males never lose markings. It is just that their markings turn pale that they become unseen.