But the truth is, Marilyn Monroe only ever owned two pieces of authentic high-class jewelry, and both of those were gifts from her husband Joe DiMaggio. One was a 16-inch Akoya necklace, a strand of 44 Mikimoto pearls from Japan, which he bought her on their honeymoon.

The other was her diamond and platinum Eternity Band that she was given by Joe on their wedding day (which started an "eternity" that would last all of nine months). This sparkling, fiery, regal ring, which was both Marilyn’s engagement and wedding ring at the same time, held 35 (some say 36) baguette-cut diamonds (cut in the form of a narrow rectangle). In 1999, Christie’s auctioned off this ring for $772,500 even though it was missing one of the diamonds. Its estimate price pre-auction: $30,000 to $50,000.

Incidentally, the necklace was given to Marilyn’s friend Paula Strasberg, wife of her mentor and acting coach Lee Strasberg, after her divorce from Joe; Paula’s daughter Susan returned it to Mikimoto in 1998 and it’s been on display ever since.

Marilyn and Joe had dated for two years. Then, on January 12, 1954, Joe proposed to Marilyn, and a few days later they went to San Francisco’s City Hall to get married in a secret, intensely private ceremony to which they only invited six guests. But someone leaked news of this even to the press, and instead of just six guests more than a hundred adoring fans, journalists, and photographers showed up to the ceremony. Marilyn was dressed in a simple chocolate gown, while Joe sentimentally wore the same tie as on their first date along with a simple blue suit.

All of the other jewelry Marilyn Monroe ever owned was just costume jewelry. She always remained a simple gal named Norma Jean Mortenson in her heart.

Author: Julie Shields

The author just celebrated her one year anniversary and sports a beautiful ascher cut ring. She and her husband put together the website: http://www.ultimate-engagement-ring-guide.com to help you find the perfect ring.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Julie_Shields

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Pearl necklaces are durable and extremely handy pieces of jewelry. Many a woman have found pearls to be an excellent and affordable option as compared to platinum and diamonds. A pearl necklace lends class and sophistication to most items in your wardrobe, and the best part is that you don’t have to burn a hole in your pocket to get one.

When you set out to purchase one for yourself, you must make sure that you are getting your money’s worth for the product. You can help yourself by reading on about the things you must check while buying a pearl necklace.

The first thing is the length of the necklace. There are many varieties like the collar and choker ones that sit snug on the neck. If you would rather have a longer one, you can look at matinee, opera and rope lengths. The princess variety is slightly longer than the choker and is an extremely versatile piece that can be teamed with almost any sort of dress.

They also look stunning when combined with a pendant. Apart from the length, some other parameters you ought to check are the color and the texture of the pearl. It is not very easy to distinguish real pearls from high quality cultured pearls with the naked eye.

Pearls come in a variety of hues varying from white to cream. The colored pearls come in pink, gray and black varieties. You should also check the luster of the pearl. This is indicated by the luminosity of the pearl.

Other things to think about are age, skin tone and the occasion for which you are choosing the necklace. For young women, experimenting with colors and pendants is a great idea. Older women can lend grace to the occasion with an elegant string of pearls.

If you are fair, pink pearls will look great on you. If you have a wheatish or dusky complexion, go for golden or yellow.

Author: Paul Kramer

Want More Information And Discounts On Pearl Necklaces? All You Have To Do Is Click http://www.SarahGifts.com Now!

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Paul_Kramer

Tips On Buying Pearl Necklace Jewellery

Many people have heard that wearing pearls at their wedding will bring happiness to the marriage. The most classic of wedding jewellery are pearls. How do you choose the perfect

What You Should Know About Pearl Necklace Jewellery

They say that if you want a happy marriage you should wear pearls on your wedding day. The most classic of wedding jewellery are pearls. So, how do you go.

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Skilled workers carefully open each oyster and insert a mother of pearl bead and a piece of mantle tissue into the shell. One oyster in three survives the procedure and produces a cultured pearl. These pearls are usually very large in size and precious and make beautiful pearl necklaces.

Nacre accumulates quite slowly in oysters and it takes about three years for a millimeters worth of nacre to accumulate and form a cultured pearl. Some pearl farms in the southern waters from Burma to Australia boast of a faster nacre buildup, in some cases up to three millimeters a year.

Because cultured pearls grow slowly, they are considered very rare and expensive. They make a lovely necklace and offer a more luxurious option for pearl jewelry lovers who do not like to sacrifice quality. Cultured pearls are generally larger in size than freshwater pearls.

The irritant is saltwater pearls is a shell bead nucleus, as well as a piece of mantle tissue. Saltwater oysters tend to die when the nucleus is inserted or when the pearl is harvested. Oysters only grow one pearl at a time. With one oyster in five providing a saleable pearl, price tags can be rather high. Japanese seawater pearls tend to be more expensive than Chinese seawater pearls mainly due to the higher labor costs and the higher quality produced. Japanese seawater pearl necklaces are generally more expensive and rare as compared to Chinese seawater pearl necklaces. Enhanced black cultured pearls are used to create fine royal necklaces. These pearls often come from China and Japan, and are actually white cultured pearls that are exposed to radiation or dyed to produce an even, strong color that lasts for years. Real cultured pearl necklaces need to be handled with care, as they are sensitive to heat and light.

Author: Jimmy Sturo

Pearl Necklaces provides detailed information on Pearl Necklaces, Black Pearl Necklaces, Freshwater Pearl Necklaces, Cultured Pearl Necklaces and more. Pearl Necklaces is affiliated with Cultured Pearl Earrings.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jimmy_Sturo

Mikimoto Pearl Necklace

The length of the pearl necklace will depend on the woman’s age, body composition and neck size, although an 18 to 24-inch pearl necklace is a good length for anyone. Generally speaki…

Pink Freshwater Cultured Pearl Necklace, 50″

Pink Freshwater Cultured Pearl Necklace, 50 Product Description Amazon.com Product Description This elegant pearl necklace features cultured freshwater.

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Buying pearls offers a number of benefits over other fine jewelry. Pearls come in an array of colors and sizes. Freshwater pearls, for example, are available in the colors pink, cream, white, gold, blue and gray. And though these aren’t as lustrous as pearls found in saltwater, they are still very beautiful. Pearl sizes range from 1mm up to 20mm, with round, baroque, symmetrical or irregular shapes. Remember, the bigger the pearl – the greater its price.

Pearl jewelry also comes in many price ranges, including investor grade pearls such as the Japanese akoya cultured pearls; white, black and golden South Sea cultured pearls; and the extremely rare natural pearl. More affordable varieties include Chinese akoya pearls, freshwater cultured pearls, high-grade freshwater pearls, and synthetic (manufactured) pearls.

How to Recognize High Quality Pearls

When buying pearl necklaces, decide if you want a double strand with smaller pearls or a single strand of larger pearls. Double strands typically cost more, but this might be more your style. If buying a pearl bracelet or pearl earrings to go with your pearl necklace, be sure to examine each carefully to ensure a perfect (or at least a very close) match. Take your pearl necklace with you if shopping separately for these items so you can compare.

No matter how well lit the store is, take the pearls you are considering and place them on a flat, white surface for examination. Consider the overtone of the pearl, or the secondary tint of the pearl. Pearls with pinkish or rose overtones indicate good quality, while those with a bluish or greenish tint indicate cheaper varieties. When examining a strand of pearls, such as pearl necklaces and bracelets, look carefully at each pearl on the strand. Consider each pearl’s surface, reflections, light and dark areas on the surface, and the orient or rainbow of colors you can see in the pearls. Light reflections on high-grade pearls should be clear and concise.

If you’re not sure how to tell one pearl from another, shop only at jewelry stores where quality is guaranteed. Ask about the grading of the store’s pearls, and find the highest grade of pearls to fit your budget.

Sizing Pearl Necklaces

Selecting the appropriate pearl necklace size is very important. Necklace lengths range from 16 inches up to 36 inches. Determine when and with what types of outfits you will wear your pearl necklace the most. Do you prefer a necklace that hugs the base of your neck, or a longer strand of pearls that hangs just below the bust area? Or, do you prefer various lengths somewhere in between? Consider that you might wear your pearls often and for years to come, so find a length that will work for you now and in the future.

Keep It Simple

Don’t overdo it with your pearl jewelry. If you have a pearl necklace, complement it with simple, single pearl earrings. Wearing a pearl bracelet and earrings might be too much with some outfits, and can take away from your pearl necklace. Use your judgment to determine which pearl jewelry best complements your outfits. Also, some outfits may look wonderful with pearls while others take away from the pearls. Multi-colored clothing or bright clothing might hide the true beauty and sparkle of your pearls, whereas solid, dark colors will make them stand out.

Pearl necklaces and other fine pearl jewelry make great gifts for Valentine’s Day, Christmas, anniversary gifts, birthdays, or any time you want to express your affection. And now, you can easily buy high quality pearl necklaces and jewelry at online jewelers to get great value for your dollars. Shopping online offers variety at affordable prices, whether you need akoya pearls or freshwater pearls. Start enjoying the sheer beauty of pearls today!

Author: Chris Robertson

Chris Robertson is an author of Majon International, one of the worlds MOST popular internet marketing companies on the web. Learn more about Benefits of Pearl Necklaces.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Chris_Robertson

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Pearls are fast gaining popularity among people and almost everyone has a desire to own a pearl necklace, bracelet earrings or complete pearl jewelry sets. However a few of them are lucky enough to own the pure and rare natural pearls. Even the royal queens and famous Celebs can be seen sporting a pearl necklace set together with their own grace making the onlookers gasp with envy.

The rare occurrence of natural pearl combined with increasing demand of them in the market has led to the development of a method to produce artificial pearls which are in no way different from their original counterparts. Pearls can occur in freshwater as well as saltwater making them easy to be produced using artificial procedures. One such variety of pearl which originates in saltwater and is very common and popular with the people due to its beauty and charm is the Akoya pearl. They are mostly popular in the countries like Japan , India and China .

The life span of the saltwater pearls is mostly 120-140 years which makes it a lifetime investment for a person who buys this beauty. However proper care and precautions should be taken while handling them else they may loose their shine and charm or even get damaged and develop cracks on the surface. Some easy and simple steps can guarantee a lifelong beauty of pearls like protecting them from perfumes, cologne, and hair sprays and cleaning them regularly with a soft sponge and hot water. They should always be stored in a gentle tissue or a soft sponge to prevent the damage or scratches on its surface.

Careful shopping of pearls for selecting flawless ones and leaving out the inferior ones together with the gentle handling and following the proper use instructions can guarantee a lifelong pride and possession of an unmatched jewel: the pearl.

Author: Pattrick Jhonson

For information about Akoya Pearl is the best man made Pearl.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Pattrick_Jhonson

Genuine Akoya AA+ 6.5-7mm Black Cultured Pearl Necklace 

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This is part one of a two part series on Akoya Pearls at Sale Price.

Akoya pearls are available at sale prices but you do need to be careful and ensure you are actually getting what you pay for.

Many sites online promote akoya pearls at massively reduced prices and many are genuine but how can you know?

First let’s look at what an akoya pearl is.

An Akoya Pearl is a Japanese cultivated pearl from the salt water akoya-gai oyster. These are a speciality of Japanese Pearl Farms.

Pearls were first cultivated in the 1920s and are considered a high quality pearl. They are used for necklaces, earrings, pendants and bracelets as well as in rings. Invariably the setting is of a high quality precious metal such as platinum or 18 karat or more white or yellow gold.

Akoya pearls generally have fewer blemishes and flaws than other pearls and they have a beautiful deep luster.

As they are cultivated, akoya pearls will be more round and perfectly shaped than other types of pearls. This makes them ideal for necklaces and bracelets where the shape is very important. Having a number of pearls on one string, it is important that the size and shape match well to provide a good quality necklace or bracelet.

Sometimes you can get akoya pearls at a sale price but it is important to know what are genuine and what are not.

In part two at http://allaboutpearls.org we will look at how to ensure you are getting good quality genuine akoya pearls.

End of part one of a two part series on Akoya Pearls at Sale Price.

Author: Michael J Moore

Permission to use this article is granted provided the link to All About Pearls is included Michael Moore

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Michael_J_Moore

14K Yellow Gold Akoya Pearls

14K Yellow Gold Akoya Pearls $25. Through 2/28, Smart Bargains lowers the price of the 14K Yellow Gold White Akoya Pearl Earrings from $39.99 to $29.98 exclusively for BradsDeals readers…

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Freshwater Pearls are small and sometimes irregularly shaped, as they are grown in various species of freshwater mussels. The colors range from pink, gray, black, bronze and lavender to white and off white. Due to the variety of freshwater pearls and the availability different shapes and sizes, freshwater pearl necklaces are in demand and easy to make. Because fresh water pearls are not very large, when beaded into a necklace they look very elegant and unique.

Pearl necklaces can be beaded in different lengths, depending on the size of the pearls. Chinese freshwater pearls make the best necklaces. These pearls are tiny and not always round. Freshwater pearls are also available in various colors such as gold, silver, aqua blue, black, white, pink and cream yellow. Because of the different colorful pearls, these necklaces are extravagantly beautiful and a woman can have one to go with every color dress in her wardrobe.

Today, cultured freshwater pearl jewelry is a must for every woman’s jewelry wardrobe. Fashionable, feminine and freshwater pearls enhance a woman’s palette of styles. Rich and adaptable, a lustrous star in the world of fine jewelry, a simple pearl necklace can take a woman through every moment in her life and compliments any outfit in her wardrobe.

Author: Jimmy Sturo

Pearl Necklaces provides detailed information on Pearl Necklaces, Black Pearl Necklaces, Freshwater Pearl Necklaces, Cultured Pearl Necklaces and more. Pearl Necklaces is affiliated with Cultured Pearl Earrings.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jimmy_Sturo

14k Gold Bar & Freshwater Pearl Jewelry Set $64.99

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Akoya pearls are world renowned for their brilliant shine, spherical shape and lustrous appeal. Women all over the world have passion for pearl jewelry and pearl jewelry designed with fine extra top quality pearls bring true charms and sophistication to any neckline. But what is ‘akoya’? It simply means saltwater in Japanese language. Ever since Mikimoto of Japan invented and patented the culturing techniques of growing cultured pearls in sea water, the quality of akoya pearls dazzled many pearl lovers.

For many decades Japan dominated the akoya pearls market for its best quality and production but recently with the improved and better modern techniques China has emerged the most powerful country. Many Japanese shifted their pearl farming to China and more than 80% of the pearl harvest is done in Chinese pearl farms. Akoya pearls are brought from China and tagged as Japanese akoya pearls in most cases. It is difficult to make any real distinction and often consumers land up paying higher prices.

Akoya pearls are graded from A to AAA, obviously the AAA quality is the best of all because of its perfect spherical round shape, no blemishes and high lustrous quality.

Akoya pearl necklace is the perfect gift for the loved ones and women love pearl jewelry and if this season one is thinking of charming the sweet heart, akoya pearl necklace is one of the best choices. Pearl Jewelry is one of the most romantic jewelry gifts.

The most popular akoya pearl necklaces are of 16" to 18" length and buying complete set of necklace, earrings and bracelet not only you get the ultimate trios but save money.

Akoya pearls are the true gems of sea and if diamonds are forever, pearls are timeless fashion statement. Pearl necklaces are classic and traditional yet still in fashion, trendy and affordable.

Spend money buying quality pearl jewelry – quality par excellence!

Author: Kheri Chawla

Kheri http://www.pearlprincess.com/

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Kheri_Chawla

Wedding Necklace

My sister is getting married in a few weekes….and she wanted me to make her wedding necklace……since this isn’t her first, she is wearing ivory and wanted a heart and some purple….so…

Chris Kerr Jewelry: Lapis Earrings and the Spanish Wedding Necklace

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Bride Necklace Pendant Great Wedding

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It comes to my attention and some sellers are selling so-called "Japanese Akoya Pearls" online. I would suggest all buyers to be more prudent of buying those "Japanese Pearls", especially online. With the increasing quality and volume of Chinese pearls, majority of market share of Japanese pearls have been overtaken by their Chinese counterparts.

Although Japanese saltwater pearl is still holding a very small piece of market share of Top-quality and larger sized pearls. Chinese saltwater pearls have monopolized the rest of market in recent years. It’s been proven that China is now producing high quality pearls which can compete with their Japanese counterparts in every quality factor.

If you are really looking for a strand of genuine Japanese Akoya pearl necklace and don’t care about the price, I would recommend you buy it from trustable sellers. I know some creditable and trustable American sellers travel to Japan to import genuine Japanese saltwater pearls and then sell them on their own e-Commerce website. Please try searching them on Google and buying from them. Here are some personal tips about how to differentiate Japanese and Chinese cultured saltwater pearls.

* Size
If you see a strand of saltwater pearl necklace with average pearl size in less than 7.5-8mm, most likely, it is made of Chinese cultured saltwater pearls, it’s very rare that Chinese Akoya pearls are larger than 8-8.5mm. Some expensive Japanese cultured saltwater pearls can grow up to 8.5-9mm or even larger than 9mm. We were told by our Chinese pearl farm supplier that lots of Japanese went to their pearl farm to buy all the pearls of their harvest. Not sure if those Japanese resell them to their customer with a "Japanese" name or reuse the smaller sized pearls as nucleus to culture larger sized pearls later on.

* Price Tag
Chinese pearls are much more affordable than their Japanese counterpart. A decent quality of 7.5-8mm Chinese cultured saltwater pearl necklace should be priced less than $1000.00-1500, no matter online or any seller’s e-Commerce website. While, the same sized genuine Japanese Akoya pearls may double or triple this price. If you see a strand of so-called "Japanese" pearl necklace with a price of less than $100 bucks, please be careful.

* Item and seller location
If you see a strand of "Japanese" pearl necklace is not selling by a Japanese seller and item is not shipped from Japan, most likely, those pearls are not Japanese pearls. A strand of genuine Japanese cultured saltwater pearl necklace can be easily sold out for hundreds or even thousands of dollars, there is no reason a seller imports those expensive gems and sells them online or in their store for several dollars or hundred of bucks.

Author: Jian Wang

I am the owner of online Pearlshop http://www.ohpearl.com, we provide best quality Chinese Akoya cultured pearls with very affordable price, please feel free to login our website: http://www.ohpearl.com to discover the selective Chinese Akoya Pearls.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jian_Wang

Buying Pearl Jewelry

Akoya Pearls — These pearls known for their brilliant luster, elegance and infinite versatility are perfect for your loved one if she has a more traditional personality and fashion sty…

Akoya Pearl Sale

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Where to Get Cheap Akoya Saltwater Cultured Pearl Bracelet 

This splendid Akoya Bracelet fashioned from only the highest quality Akoya salt water cultured 6.5-7mm pearls simply exudes luxury. Each AAA rated pearl has been hand selected for its sm…

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Pearls are both a natural and cultured product. They are coveted, especially by women the world over as the classic feminine ornamentation. Beautiful, iridescent pearl gem beads are valued throughout the world. The pearl necklace can be a simple, elegant string of pearls or pearls in combination with other gemstones. Pearls are also believed to promote integrity, loyalty, a calm disposition and focus. Culturally, pearls have been the symbol of wealth, social prominence and success throughout human history.

The Pearl Maker

Who makes pearls? Irritated mollusks/oysters make pearls, but not because they are angry. In nature, if an irritant such as sand gets into their soft layers of flesh, they isolate it inside layers of calcium carbonate called nacre. The oyster produces many layers of nacre to protect itself. At the same time it produces one of nature’s most beautiful ornaments. The most highly prized pearls are bright white, very round, without blemish and have an exceptional sheen referred to as luster. If a pearl has a low luster rating, it is usually due to thin or a low count of nacre layers. Oysters raised in colder water sometimes produce low luster pearls. Pearls are an organic gem and can also be produced by mussels, conch and abalone.

Pearl Color and Tone

Many white pearls have overtone colors referred to as tint. Pink or rose overtones are rare and expensive. Creamier overtones are also rare but not quite so expensive. Pearls with silver overtones are also highly coveted. Mikimoto and Company
(http://www.mikimotoamerica.com), is the world leader in acquiring and selling pearls with pink overtones and Tiffany & Company is a primary dealer in silver over-toned pearls. In America, a company called American Pearl (http://www.americanpearl.com) is one of the leading wholesale suppliers of fine pearls. Charlie Bakhash founded American Pearl. He has been in the business over 50 years. American Pearl has the reputation for selling flawless and the whitest body color pearls with silver or rose overtones.

Natural vs. Cultured Pearls

Natural pearls are created in mollusks. They create pearls to protect themselves from sand, parasites and other minute foreign objects. These natural pearls are mostly found in the Persian Gulf and are referred to as oriental pearls. Natural salt-water pearls are among the most coveted in the world but have virtually ceased to exist due to pollution and lack of natural supply.

Cultured pearl growing began with a patented process invented by Kokichi Mikimoto, the founder of Mikimoto and Company, one of the world’s finest pearl growers and sellers.
A bead is surgically planted in Akoya oysters to create the irritant that causes oysters to create a pearl. The oysters are then put back in the sea enclosed in baskets. They stay in the baskets from one to three years. Twenty five percent of the oysters left in the baskets die each year. Yet, the longer they have to produce layers of nacre the larger and more beautiful the pearls produced. You can begin to appreciate why these salt-water pearls have such value.

Freshwater Pearls

Cultured freshwater pearls are grown in rivers all over the globe. Japan cultivates them and so does the United States along small tributaries of the Mississippi River. Freshwater pearls are produced by mollusks. They can be grown in a variety of colors including pink, orange, mauve and golden colors. They are usually smaller in size and come in a variety of sizes. Colored pearls are judged by tone. Tone refers to the intensity of the color ranging from light to dark. A dark yellow pearl will have a richer color and is considered more rare and valuable. Pearls can also be dyed and come in a variety of shapes. The shapes vary from round, baroque, button shaped, drop shapes and irregular shapes. Large round spherical pearls are the most highly valued. Pearls of any kind make beautiful lasting jewelry by themselves or in combination with other gemstones. Freshwater pearls make beautiful jewelry and many varieties are well within the common person’s price range.

The creative designs for fresh water pearls in combination with other precious and semi-precious gemstones are really limitless. You can see some examples at tigereyejewels.com . Tiger eye gemstone and yellow pearls in combination are coveted by many as beautiful, quality rich and affordable foundation jewelry appropriate for any occasion.

Stringing Pearls

Pearls must be drilled in order to make a classic strand, necklace or bracelet possible. Often, a blemish can be created on the pearl’s surface right around the hole. If a pearl has been dyed, there will sometimes be a concentration of color around the bead hole. The pearls are traditionally strung on high quality silk cord that is knotted between each pearl to separate, display and protect each pearl from the one next to it. If the strand should break only one pearl will fall from the string and potentially roll away. The knot between each pearl keeps them from rubbing against each other, which can do damage over time. Silk cord rarely breaks. It is thin and unobtrusive yet very strong. It is usually pre-stretched before becoming the foundation for a strand of fine pearls. The pearls of a fine strand should be perfectly matched in size, shape, color and tone. This adds to the value of a necklace or bracelet.

Caring for Pearls

A Pearl is an organic gem. Nacre is made of calcium carbonate. Pearls are made of a soluble chemical and can easily be damaged by oils, perfume, hair spray and human perspiration. They can be cleaned with filtered water and cotton balls. Avoid all chemicals. Jewelers know how to safely clean pearls that are badly soiled. Treat pearls with the respect Mother Nature intended for her work of art and their beauty and luster will last forever.

Pearl History

Pearls have been valued for their shimmering iridescence and glow since ancient man first walked the ea 1ff8 rth. Many ancient cultures reference stories related to pearls. Egyptian Queen Cleopatra dissolved pearls in wine so she could consume the wealth of an entire nation in one meal. Pearls defined wealth and social standing in ancient Rome. The Greeks considered the pearl the ultimate symbol of love and marriage. The dark ages saw maidens of nobility gifting pearls to gallant knights as a protection in battle. The nobility of the European Renaissance displayed and accumulate pearls in excess. Laws were passed that forbid anyone except nobility to wear pearls. In the New World of America the discovery of pearls in Central America caused their demise in the 17th century due to over harvesting of this natural resource. The famous jeweler, Jacques Cartier bought his New York store in 1916 by trading two pearl necklaces for the building…a very good buy.

Pearls have served man culturally, artistically, financially, psychologically and emotionally throughout history. Their value extends far beyond the dollar they command. They are most importantly, an expression of excellence shared cooperatively by man and nature. Here is hoping the beauty of pearls help you celebrate your life.

Author: Janet Nelson

Author Biography Janet K. Nelson has done research and written articles on subjects that range from the cultural to the technical. She is an author noted for integrating information and providing a fresh, clear and whole-picture perspective on her subjects. She has written articles, manuals and perspectives for marketing, cultural, media and distribution organizations. She has a Masters Degree in Business Administration. More information is available via tigereyejewels.com marketmaiden@comcast.net

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Janet_Nelson

Buying Pearl Jewelry

But, if youa??re like most guys, you probably know as much about buying pearl jewelry as you do about brain surgery or rocket science. The good news is that buying fine jewelry for your …

Cultured Pearl Jewelry’s Quality

Tiffany Necklaces are great in adding style to a woman’s wardrobe. Necklaces are any type of chain or length that is made of precious metal or gems. Some either use a single pearl; others are…

Technorati Tags: how to choose pearl, strings of pearl

How lucky would you feel if you shucked an oyster and found a creamy pearl resting inside? Lucky, but it’s not likely. Natural varieties are very rare and most of the world’s supply is almost all cultured.

For a rare natural pearl to form, some type of substance has to find its way inside the shell of a mollusk. This substance irritates the mollusks prompting it to secrete nacre, which is the iridescent coating that lines the shell. The nacre forms layers around the foreign substance until it the gem is eventually formed. Nacre is more commonly known as mother of pearl, which makes sense the source of the beautiful orbs.

To get a cultured pearl, the foreign substance is put inside the shell on purpose. This process was revolutionized by Mikimoto, whose cultured varieties are wildly famous and desired today. An Akoya pearl necklace is especially popular in its various shades of rose, silver and cream.

These iridescent orbs don’t only come in the creamy white you commonly see. They also come in black and rose colors. A black pearl bracelet is an elegant addition to many outfits.

The only gemstone that comes from a living organism, most think of oysters as their only source, but mussels can also produce these creamy decadent beads.

As for location, most of the supply comes from the Persian Gulf, the Red Sea and along the coastlines of India and Sri Lanka. The freshwater variety used to be abundant in the United States, but the supply has been somewhat depleted. They are still found in the Mississippi, Ohio and Tennessee rivers. Other freshwater locations include Scotland, Germany and France. Japan, in the tradition of Mikimoto, is a large supplier of the cultured variety as well as Australia and Polynesia.

Birthstone for June
These orbs don’t fit the typical mold of a gemstone, but even so they get a month all to itself as the birthstone for June. Pearl ring gifts may be common during this month, but a freshwater necklace is also a classic selection.

Another good excuse to give the precious beads is as a gift is for a 30th wedding anniversary. A sophisticated black pearl necklace with diamond accents is a great way to commemorate your years together.

Caring and Maintenance
Delicate as they are beautiful, the strongest of them rank a 4.5 on the Mohs hardness scale. So, you must take great care when wearing and cleaning these precious gems. They are very sensitive to chemicals like perfume and hairspray. To clean them, wipe with a damp soft cloth. If chemicals get on them, also use gentle baby soap. The best way to store them is separate from your more durable jewelry so they don’t get scratched. A soft jewelry bag or a separate box is the best storage method.

Pearls are classic and fashionable. If you don’t like the all pearl look, there are a lot of necklace, ring and bracelet designs that incorporate colored gemstones as well for a truly unique and beautiful piece of body jewelry.

Author: Andrew Stratton

Whether natural or cultured, pearls are wildly famous and desired today. An Akoya pearl necklace can be especially popular for its various shades of rose, silver and cream. For the best varieties of pearl jewelry, visit http://www.gemaffair.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Andrew_Stratton

freshwater pearl necklace

handcrafted fine silver pendant (1-1/2" X 5/8") embossed with a sweet birdie perched on a branch; tumbled, brushed, handpolished & then given a patina to bring out the details of birdie~plump berry re…  

Freshwater Pearl Earring

Three A Grade near round freshwater pearls in three descending sizes – wire wrapped together with sterling silver wire.Largest pearl is around 7.5 mm, smallest is around 3 mm. Earrings h… ..

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Factors to consider when choosing quality Tahitian pearl necklaces, in order of importance:

Nacre thickness – ideally, the minimum thickness of nacre in Tahitian pearls is 0.8 mm. A thicker nacre covering means that the pearl’s luster will last long. Thinner nacres have a tendency to wear off easily. Tahitian pearls which are thinner than the required minimum are not exported from French Polynesia.

Surface texture and quality – Tahitian pearls, like all pearls, are graded according to the quality of its surface. Pearls could have thick nacres but if the surface is flawed, their value decreases. Flaws include bumps, spots, discolorations, scratches and other irregularities. The more a pearl has, the less valuable or lower-grade it becomes.

To rate the quality of Tahitian pearls, jewelers use a grading system, consisting of A, B, C and D as the marks, with A-grade pearls being the highest quality. A-grade pearls have the cleanest, nearly flawless surface, virtually free of spots, discoloration or bumps. These pearls have a high luster and reflective quality.

B-grade Tahitian pearls have slightly (but still imperceptible) imperfect surfaces, with only 30% of the surface affected by flaws. C-grade Tahitian pearls have medium luster and imperfections are already quite perceptible while D-grade pearls are those with 60% of its surface affected by quite obvious imperfections, including scratches.

Luster – one quality of pearls that sets it apart from other gemstones is its unique brilliance. As opposed to other gems like the diamond, for example, pearls shine with a softer light. And since they reflect light, they also look like mirrors, reflecting everything in their immediate surrounding.

Generally, the thicker the nacre, the more brilliant and mirror-like the shine. Good quality pearls are clear and almost metal-like in their sheen.

Size – the largest Tahitian pearl ever produced is 25mm, although this in not a round pearl. The largest round Tahitian pearl is at 21mm. Generally, the bigger the size of the pearl, the higher its value is. Most Tahitian pearls are in the range of 8 to 14mm, although a few are measured at 16mm.

Shape – pearls follow the shape of the irritant or nucleus that enters the mouth of the oyster or mollusk that produces it. But to meet jewelry standards, most pearls are produced following three major categories: round or spherical, symmetrical and baroque.

Spherical pearls are those that are round or nearly round. A perfectly round pearl, whether natural or cultured, is quite rare and therefore highly prized. Spherical pearls are the most familiar and popular shapes. Nearly-round pearls are categorized as sphericals, although they may be slightly elongated or flattened.

Symmetrical pearls are so-called because if you cut one in half, each piece will mirror the other. Included in this category are oval pearls, which taper at the ends and are wider at the center; button pearls, which are slightly more flattened and often used for earrings; and drop pearls, which look like teardrops or pears, usually included in jewelry as pendants.

Baroque pearls may also be semi-baroque and include all other shapes that cannot be classified as either spherical or symmetrical. These are the favorite pearls of artists because of their irregular shapes. Baroque pearls may resemble sticks, studs and even crosses.

Other notable variations in Tahitian pearls are those that have ‘rings’ – tiny grooves that encircle the pearl’s surface. For this reason, these pearls are called circled or ringed, although this quality is only used as a descriptive device, to distinguish one pearl from another. For example, a ringed pearl may be described as a ‘ringed oval’ or ‘circled drop’.

Color – when Tahitian pearls are mentioned, the first thing that comes to most people’s minds is black pearls although they do come in other colors, albeit in darker tones. Some of their interesting colors are gray, green, brown and blue.

The pearl’s color is determined by two things: the main body color and its overtone. A pearl can have one or more overtones. The main body color is the predominant color of the pearl while the overtone is the hint of iridescent color that is seen on top of the body color and can affect or enhance the dominant color of the pearl. Pink, gold, blue, silver and purple are some of the most common overtones.

A combination of the body color and overtone is used to describe a pearl. For example, a greenish black pearl is called a peacock while a yellowish gray is called a champagne.

When buying Tahitian pearl necklaces, keep the above considerations in mind. Aside from quality, you might also want to consider design and setting. Don’t be afraid to ask questions and information in detail. If the jewelry shop is reputable, they will be more than glad to answer your questions.

On your own, shopping for real Tahitian pearl necklaces can be quite a challenge. To help you make your decision, here are a few tips on real Tahitian pearls:
– they ha 1ff8 ve overtones over the main body color. Fake or imitation pearls don’t and their color looks flat. Real Tahitian pearls also glow with a faint reddish color when examined using crossed filters.

- Tahitian pearls feel cool, although they do adapt to your body temperature. Imitation pearls maintain the same temperature as their surroundings, so when they are touched for the first time, they won’t feel cold.

- To test for real Tahitian pearls, hold them in the palm of your hand and take note of their weight. They are heavier than imitation pearls. If you rub Tahitian pearls across your teeth, they will feel grainy or coarse and not smooth. Their holes are also smoother around the edges.

Author: Nathalie Fiset

For more information go to: http://www.unlimitedpearls.com http://www.bestpearlnecklaces.com or http://www.bestpearlearrings.com

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Buying Pearl Jewelry

Tahitian Pearls – If youa??re looking for something truly one of a kind. If youa??re looking for a pearl thata??s as individual as her owner, look no further. Available in a tantalizi…

Tahitian pearl

Hi everyone, Sorry to have been quiet these last few months. Been working hard on a number of different things but thought I’d peek my head in and.

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Unlike diamonds that are valued based on four C’s: Carat, Cut, Clarity and Color or the gold jewelry as 14K, 18K or 22K, the pearls are evaluated differently by the pearls industry.For any type of jewelry the overall design and craftsmanship of the designers is very important as best designed jewelry sells faster and commands better pricing. Pearl necklace is just a strand of pearls strung together and for centuries that style has been the classic and a timeless fashion statement. About 40-50 pearl beads are carefully hand-knotted and string together to make a beautiful and gorgeous pearl necklace.

Basically, pearl is a natural product of an oyster’s body defense mechanism. They grow inside their mother oysters with a shimmering iridescence, luster and soft inner glow that are unlike in any other gem on this earth.

Natural pearls are rarity. All the pearls sold in the international market are cultured pearls and are given different names depending upon the oyster’s types. The culturing techniques are somewhat different and most of these pearl farms are in Far eastern regions of the world. Mikimoto of Japan had invented and patented the bead culturing method in early 19th Century that led to the boom in the world of cultured pearls. China has recently surpassed Japan in pearl farming and now largely dominates freshwater and akoya seawater pearls market.

Luster is the hallmark of any pearls quality. Pearls are grown in lakes, rivers and sea. When it comes to buying pearls or for evaluation, be it freshwater pearls, Akoya pearls or Akoya seawater pearls, Tahitian pearls or South sea pearls, luster is the king and one of the key dominating factors. No one would like to buy dull luster pearls no matter how cheap they are. Pearls are graded from A to AAA depending upon size, types, roundness, surface and colors. AAA quality is among the best and most sought after.

Author: Kheri Chawla

Quality Par Excellence: http://www.pearlprincess.com/

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Buying Pearl Necklaces

But, if youa??re like most guys, you probably know as much about buying pearl jewelry as you do about brain surgery or rocket science. The good news is that buying fine jewelry for your …

Cultured Pearl Jewelry’s Quality

Tiffany Necklaces are great in adding style to a woman’s wardrobe. Necklaces are any type of chain or length that is made of precious metal or gems. Some either use a single pearl; others are…

Technorati Tags: Akoya, buy, Cheap, for sale, mikimoto, necklace, pearl, pearls, tahitian

Sellers from all over the world posting cheap prices pearl jewelry at E bay and other places and also claiming their quality as AAAA or Mikimoto type or Tiffany type or Japanese pearls.

Advertising is always a game to woo customers but buyers beware. It is a common sense and one must understand that how can you get AAAA or Tiffany type quality pearl necklace for $1-$10? Remember old sayings – you get what you pay for.

It is overwhelming and daunting task indeed to get quality pearl jewelry at real bargain prices. Pearl jewelry after all is an investment. Not only women buy jewelry to enhance their beauty and look graceful but real good quality pearl jewelry is often passed on from generation to generation.

Good news is that the pearls that were once the domain and valued possession for the Royal families and affluent have become affordable now. There has been tremendous improvement in growing quality pearls over the past decades and with the new improved modern culturing techniques that was developed and patented by Mikimoto of Japan in early 20th century; culturing pearl industry has come a long way.

Value of any type of pearls is determined by various factors; which are pearl nacre, pearl luster, pearl size, pearl color, pearl surface etc. Luster is the prime consideration as no one would like to wear dull luster discount pearl necklace even if it is very cheap. It’s worth investing in good quality pearl jewelry that can be passed on from generation to generation.

When buying discount pearl jewelry one doesn’t have to compromise on quality as pearl jewelry comes in various price ranges. Some pearl jewelry stores hype their quality as AAAA quality pearls to jack up prices, where in fact, you may be getting A or AA quality pearls. There is no such AAAA quality grading set by any of the pearl jewelry industry either in US and abroad or by any laboratory or any institutions around the globe. It is simply false and it is a red flag.

Paying higher price for discount pearl necklace not necessarily always get you better quality pearl jewelry. In fact, many pearl jewelry stores offer discounts to customers to make more sales with very little margin of profits. Building reputation on providing quality discount pearl necklace or pearl jewelry is paramount to any trusted pearl jewelry store.

Many online pearl jewelry stores procure high quality pearls directly from the source and with low overheads are able to sell discount pearl necklace or pearl jewelry at much lower prices than others. Most pearl jewelry stores offer 90 days return policy with 100 % satisfaction guaranteed.

The most affordable discount pearl jewelry is made of freshwater pearls and then comes the akoya pearls. Buying complete pearl jewelry set – pearl necklace, pearl earrings and or pearl bracelet get you extra savings plus you save money on shipping and handling.

Pearl Jewelry – Quality Par Excellence

Author: Kheri Chawla

Kheri

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Kheri_Chawla

White Pearl Necklace

White Pearl Necklace. … GeneSalassi Pro User says:. Stunning portrait! Love the contrast between her lips, skin and the pearls! Posted 3 months ago. ( permalink ). view profi…

Freshwater Pearls and Pearl Jewelry

Freshwater pearls are considered as the best for different types of necklaces. You will find a wide collection of freshwater pearl necklaces in jewelry shops. The freshwater pe..

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