Quality Gold & Silver Pearl Rings & Jewelry
Fine & Elegant Tahitian Pearl Rings, Pendants, Necklaces & Jewelry
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Quahog pearls are amongst the rarest of gemstones but in fact, they are technically not pearls – they can still be very beautiful nevertheless, and they are typically stained a shade of purple, the only pearls that are so colored under natural conditions. Quahogs are pronounced “ko-hog”, and are clams which many of us have enjoyed in a variety of dishes, or simply steamed at an oyster bar or restaurant. They are native to the Eastern US coast, especially around New England, and have been exported to the Pacific and European shores as they lend themselves to “aquaculture”. Indeed, in New England they form an important part of the fishing economy and are a major export from the region.
It is thought that only 1 in 5,000 clams produces a pearl but, before a quahog pearl can be considered valuable, it also must possess visual appeal – many quahog pearls are misshapen, or not particularly pretty to look at, which precludes their use in jewellery. This makes those quahog pearls which are suitable for use in jewelry that much more valuable. Despite the huge commercial farming activity which processes millions of quahog clams every year, pearls are increasingly rare because of the automated nature of the process. Clams are cleaned and shucked mechanically, and this process usually destroys any pearls which may otherwise be uncovered.
Oyster pearls are formed by concretions being formed around internal deformities, parasites or other foreign piece of matter such as a grain of sand. The oyster reacts to this irritant by enclosing the body with layers of hardened pearl material, known as nacre and which covers the deformity or foreign matter and it is this which grows into a pearl. Cultured pearls use the same process but the oyster is stimulated to grow the pearl by man not nature.
Quahog pearls are formed in a very similar fashion to oyster pearls, though as quahogs are not oysters, quahog pearls are not considered to be pearls per se. The quahogs which are found along the coast of New England, especially those focused upon Rhode Island, are the only ones which possess the purple tint. This is because the quahog clams there are the only ones which produce the purple dye, and this can cause a quahog pearl to vary from a light lilac color through to deep purple to very deep black. As these quahogs are the only bivalve which secretes the purple stain, their pearls are the only ones to possess this coloration though the degree to which an individual quahog pearl is colored will vary widely.
Quahog pearls have been a sought after gemstone amongst New England jewelry makers for at least a couple of hundred years, but the quahog pearl has a much longer association with man than that. Native American Indians used the quahog pearl both for decorative purposes and as “wampum” or money. Native Americans would use the quahog pearl as a medium for exchange by carving the tabular beads and these could be used for trading.
Valuation and pricing vary enormously and ultimately, the price of any item is only that which a buyer is prepared to pay. An example will illustrate the point – in 2005 a rare quahog was discovered in a yard sale and bought for a mere $14 – when it came to auction, the piece was widely valued at anything between $8,000 and $1 million! The eventual sales price is unknown as it was sold to a private bidder in a sealed auction.
Surely the value really lies not in the price tag which is attached to a quahog pearl, but rather the beauty of this natural gemstone and the artisanship of the piece into which it is set. Beauty, in this instance, is clearly in the eye of the beholder.
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Whether it’s their romantic aura, their subtle beauty or simplistic style, you have decided it’s time to add a beautiful piece of pearl jewelry to your collection. Before running out to your favorite jeweler and snatching up the first thing you see, get informed about the investment you are about to make. Just like any other gemstone, there are quite a few things to know about pearls that can help you not only get the best deal, but the right pearl for you.
First, let me start by saying that there is no official grading system industry wide for pearls. There are however, 2 different systems that reputable pearl dealers hold themselves to. The first system is the AAA-A system which allows jewelers to grade their pearls. In this system, a grade of AAA means the pearl is of the highest quality. The pearl should have a very high luster and be practically (if not totally) flawless. If a pearl has an AA grade it should have a high luster, but might have slight defects. The grade of A is the lowest quality pearl. This type of pearl will likely have many flaws and lack luster.
The second widely accepted system is the A-D system, also known as the Tahitian system. This is the system often used to grade Tahitian or South Sea pearls in overseas markets. In this system, a grade of A means the pearl is of the highest quality with high luster and is virtually flawless. The grading goes down from there, with a B pearl having a high to medium luster and a few defects. A pearl with a grade of C will most likely have a medium luster with defects possibly over 50% off the surface. Any pearl given a grade below D is not considered usable for jewelry.
Because these two grading systems are not industry-wide, it is important that you feel as though you can trust your jeweler. Ask them for the pearl grading in writing, any reputable dealer should provide this. This way, you have the pearl quality in words as opposed to simply the grade they felt was appropriate. The other thing to look for when grading a pearl is its nacre, or surface thickness. The thicker the nacre, the more durable the pearl will be over time. A good, thick nacre begins at about 0.5mm so keep this in mind and use it as a guide when choosing pearls.
When purchasing pearls, it is important to examine the surface carefully. A high-quality pearl will have a shiny, bright apperaance. A high-quality pearl should be lusturous enough for you to see your reflection in it. Lower quality pearls have milky or chalky characteristics. Also, check the surface of the pearl to make sure it is smooth and free of discoloration or other defects. The perfect pearl should be round, smooth and shiny.
The next thing to look for in a pearl is color. This is an area where personal taste should overtake how valuable the pearl is. Certain colors are rarer than others that occur in nature, but this should not be a determining factor. You should consider your personal taste and what compliments your skin tone when purchasing your pearls. That being said, pearls can range in color from black to white with every color in between. So, it should be easy to find a high-quality pearl in just the right color to suit your taste.
Another thing to be aware of when shopping for pearls is size and how that affects cost. Of course, the larger the pearl the more expensive it will be, depending on the other factors as well. Pearls are measured in millimeters and will depend on the type of pearl. Akoya pearls are often the smallest and can range from approximately 6mm to 8mm. Tahitian, South Sea, and fresh water pearls run larger than Akoya pearls. The average pearl size sold on the market today is around 7mm. There are also pearls called “seed pearls” which are tiny, often less than 1mm that can be found in jewelry stores around the world.
So, before heading out to the stores do some research and be informed about the type of pearl you want to bring home with you. As a knowledgeable consumer, you will be able to get more for your money. Ultimately you will feel better about your purchase, you will have made a better investment, and you'll have chosen a piece of jewelry that you will treasure for years to come.
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When you think of pearls, most often the picture that comes to mind is a tropical island with warm seas and a light breeze where the oysters would love to take refuge. There are many different types of pearls out there on the market, but the Akoya pearl is probably the most recognizable. The Akoya pearl is the classic, high luster, white pearl used mostly for long strands of jewelry.
The Akoya pearl does not come from the tropical island setting you might think of. It is cultured and farmed mainly in China and Japan. They get their name because they are nucleated in the Akoya oyster which is found off the shores of China and Japan. Akoya pearls tend to be fairly small because the Akoya oyster is small in comparison to other types of oysters. The pearls created by the Akoya oyster are typically white or cream, sometimes with overtones of rose or silver.
A benefit of smaller pearls is that they tend to be the most consistently round in shape. Because of this, they are perfect for jewlers to match them up to create long, beautiful strands of pearls. When shopping for pearl jewelry, if you come across a long pearl necklace or bracelet, you are most likely looking at Akoya pearls. This type of pearl is popular for its high luster, smooth, round shape, and affordability. Their white and rose color makes this type of pearl the perfect choice for someone with a fair complexion as the color will bring out subtle tones in the skin.
Akoya pearls are affordable because they are cultured and farmed in large batches. China and Japan also have a competing market for these pearls which helps to keep the cost down. China has, in recent years, really taken a hold of the Akoya pearl market, creating pearls that rival the legendary quality that Japan calls its own. Because of this response from China, Japan has focused most of its attention on creating large Akoya pearls (over 8mm). Japan has taken the opportunity to corner the market, because pearls larger than this in China are rare.
So, with all of this information, what should you look for when out shopping for pearl jewelry? It is very important to ask the jeweler a lot of questions about the pearls to ensure you are getting exactly what you want. It would behoove you to find out the origin of the pearl. Many times, freshwater pearls will be sold as cultured pearls and it’s important to know the difference. Freshwater pearls and Akoya pearls are both cultured, but in different ways. The Akoya pearl is cultured in saltwater, which gives them a very different appearance and are much more valuable than freshwater pearls.
The next piece of advice is to take the time to really inspect the pearls on a particular piece you are interested in. If you are looking at a strand of Akoya pearls, make sure it has a very high luster. Also, look to see if all of the pearls on the strand seem to match in shape and size. Next, look at the color of the pearls on the strand to make sure they all look similar. While you're inspecting the color of the pearl, keep an eye out for blemishes that could decrease the value of the jewelry. The final thing to put on your pearl checklist is its overall appearance. Try on the bracelet or necklace in a mirror and see how it looks against your skin tone. If it looks good and you love it, then most likely you have found the perfect piece of pearl jewelry to take home!
When you think of pearls, most often the picture that comes to mind is a tropical island with warm seas and a light breeze where the oysters would love to take refuge. There are many different types of pearls out there on the market, but the Akoya pearl is probably the most recognizable. The Akoya pearl is the classic, high luster, white pearl used mostly for long strands of jewelry.
The Akoya pearl does not come from the tropical island setting you might think of. It is cultured and farmed mainly in China and Japan. They get their name because they are nucleated in the Akoya oyster which is found off the shores of China and Japan. The reason Akoya pearls are small is because the Akoya oyster is small - in comparison to other types of oysters. The pearls created by the Akoya oyster are typically white or cream, sometimes with overtones of rose or silver.
A benefit of smaller pearls is that they tend to be the most consistently round in shape. Because of this, they are perfect for jewlers to match them up to create long strands of pearls. When shopping for pearl jewelry, if you come across a long pearl necklace or bracelet, you are most likely looking at Akoya pearls. This type of pearl is highly desireable because it has a high luster, a smooth, round shape, and it is affordable. The white and rose shades make this type of pearl a perfect choice for fair complexions - the color brings out subtle tones in the skin.
Akoya pearls are cultured and farmed en masse, so they are really quite affordable. China and Japan also have a competing market for these pearls which helps to keep the cost down. China has, in recent years, really taken a hold of the Akoya pearl market, creating pearls that rival the legendary quality that Japan calls its own. Because of this response from China, Japan has focused most of its attention on creating large Akoya pearls (over 8mm). Japan has taken the opportunity to corner the market, because pearls larger than this in China are rare.
So, with all of this information, what should you look for when out shopping for pearl jewelry? It is very important to ask the jeweler a lot of questions about the pearls to ensure you are getting exactly what you want. One of the most important things to know is the origin of the pearl. Many times, freshwater pearls will be sold as cultured pearls and it’s important to know the difference. Freshwater pearls and Akoya pearls are both cultured, but in different ways. The Akoya pearl is cultured in saltwater, which gives them a very different appearance and are much more valuable than freshwater pearls.
The next piece of advice is to take the time to really inspect the pearls on a particular piece you are interested in. If you are looking at a strand of Akoya pearls, make sure it has a very high luster. Also, look to see if all of the pearls on the strand seem to match in shape and size. Next, look at the color of the pearls on the strand to make sure they all look similar. While inspecting the color, look for any blemishes to the pearls as this could decrease the value of the jewelry. The final thing to put on your pearl checklist is its overall appearance. Try on the necklace or bracelet and look at it against your skin tone and how it looks on you in a mirror. If it looks good and you love it, then most likely you have found the perfect piece of pearl jewelry to take home!
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For years, pearls have been prized for their beauty; pearls have been ornaments to royalty and criminals alike. Regarded with great value in China, Greece, Europe and the Americas, these jewels have always been a popular choice as highly valued gems. With their variety of designs, we’ll show you how to choose the right kind of pearl earrings for the right occasion.
While naturally formed pearls come in all forms of irregular shapes and often cannot be used for jewelry, cultured pearls can be grown in a variety of shapes - spherical, oval, teardrop and baroque. Learning how to choose the right pearl earrings for the right occasion will involve finding a design or combining various shapes of pearls that suit your face shape.
Before you go about learning how to choose the right pearl earrings for the right occasion, it is imperative that you learn how to spot quality pearl drop earrings. Judging a pearl requires consideration of a few factors - color, overtones, size, luster, shape and surface quality.
When choosing the right pearl earrings for the right occasion, it is also important to determine your budget as pearls that have greater luster or have more reflective surfaces are more highly prized. The smoothness of a pearl’s surface is also a qualifying factor in judging its quality. From cream, champagne, pink, gold, blue and even black, choosing the right pearl earrings will depend on the occasion you intend to wear them to.
Pearls are delicate gems and are generally softer in composition than other jewels. Because of this, they are prone to damage like cracking and scratches. Its porous nature also makes it susceptible to other substances like perfume, sweat and makeup. Keep your pearls clean by wiping them with a soft, damp cloth and try putting on these accessories after you’ve worn your makeup and applied your perfume.
Accessories like pearl earrings are designed to draw attention to your face. Carefully choosing the right pearl earrings for the right occasion is important if you want to flatter your face and enhance your features.
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Pearls would easily be anyone’s preference. They are these small treasures ready to be unraveled, despite it not being the first woman’s best friend. One can easily spot them out, as people commonly display their collection of necklaces, brooches, bracelets, and most popularly, pearl earrings.
So how to go about selecting the best choice in getting some pearl earrings? First there’s price, but ideally they can not be a sure tell, as some may sell a pair of pearl earrings much less than what it really is valued at, while the other faction sells it so much more unreasonably. Nonetheless, you’ll easily find pearl earrings that would fit your budget, as they do not cost as much when you get those beaded into bracelets and necklaces.
Normally one can easily associate pearls to those white beads inside a clam shell. This is the coined term indicating that smooth finish. As shiny teeth are regarded as pearly whites, pearls would easily be associated with exceptional value. In getting them as earrings, there’s a selection of varying colors, from white, to beige, to those with hints and taints of pink, yellow, blue, green, and brown. Among those hints and taints over that original stark white ball, black pearls are the most highly valued, and said to be the best of its kind. As it comes, the rarity of the pearls in those pearl earrings and jewels are the determining factor in matching the price and desirability of the product.
The colors of pearl earrings can only be as much, however, the varieties are countless. Generally though, these pearls are categorized into classification, as Freshwater, Tahitian, Black, and Cultured. So what are these?
Fresh water pearls are among those that are high in demand, generally because they are the more inexpensive ones where prices are in consideration, and still holding that significant quality as the other kinds. Then there’s Tahitian, from the Malayan-Polynesian area, as the name suggests. This area in the east holds a bountiful and rich water wildlife, and accordingly a variety of pearls for those earrings. Then there are the black cultured pearls, which are among the most in demand, with its shine lasting longer than most types – aside from its rare color.
A fun trivia though for those who do not know it yet. These cultured pearls, as much as they are valued, are generally coming from something amazingly simple. They are by-products forming concentric layers of shelled mollusks, which are formed from deposits when the mollusks are irritated from a microscopic substance trapped inside its mantle folds. However, the deal is that these seemingly treasured wastes are very hard to find. However, the deal is that these seemingly treasured wastes are very hard to find. Conclusively, pearls for earrings would be an easy preference for many people. And if you don’t have any yet, and wish to get one, it would boil down to how much you can spare, as your preference on what design would suit you best.
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When you sit down and imagine a pearl necklace, what comes to mind? Chances are, it is a perfectly matched strand of round, white and luminous pearls- and if so, they are the famous Akoya pearl! Ever since Mikimoto revolutionized the glamorous world of jewelry by commercializing the first cultured Akoya pearls, this gorgeous gem has captured the imaginations and won the hearts of people around the world.
Cultured pearls started in Japan during the 1900’s as the result of many years of conducting trials and tests by three Japanese men: Nishikawa Mikimoto, Tatsuhei Mise and Tokishi Nishikawa. Experimenting independently on various nucleation methods with the Pinctada martensii oyster (the indigenous saltwater oyster that produces Akoya pearls) the researchers each discovered the surgical nucleation techniques that will force the oyster to create a pearl- this is the same technique used to this very day by nucleation technicians worldwide, known as the Nise-Mishekawa method. However, it was Mikimoto who used his business savvy to market the new pearls worldwide, and sparked a love affair that is still going strong with jewelry lovers everywhere.
For years the Japanese maintained a monopoly on the Akoya pearl trade, guarding their cultivation and processing techniques jealously. They were- and are- acknowledged as the masters of their trade; to this day the Japanese Akoya pearl is considered the finest in the world. Harvest periods (the amount of time that the oyster was allowed to secrete nacre over the nucleus) were approximately 3-5 years per pearl, ensuring thick, lustrous nacre layers that gave the pearls their renowned glow and shine. It also made them much more durable and able to resist wear on the nacre brought about by exposure to cosmetics, sweat, acids and perfumes.
However, as with any monopoly, it would not last forever. In order to satisfy a continually mounting demand for their beautiful pearls- which had quickly staked their place as a staple of every woman’s wardrobe throughout the 1940’s and 50’s- the Japanese began cutting their growth times in order to accommodate the burgeoning market’s requirements, and quality began to suffer. Also, pollution and disease wreaked havoc and played a large part in the decline of Japanese pearl quality. With an eye toward the future, the Japanese have begun to culture larger pearls measuring over 8.0mm almost exclusively, focusing their efforts on maintaining their position as a leader, and the best source for gem-quality cultured pearls today.
China began culturing Akoya pearls as well starting in the 1960’s, although quality was acknowledged to be quite inferior to that of their Japanese neighbors. However, the Chinese pearl farmers learned what it took to become successful in an industry that was considered to be unshakeable. Chinese farmers worked to hone their cultivating skills on smaller pearls <8.0mm as they have not yet mastered culturing the larger sizes that Japan is renowned for. Utilizing their vastly cheaper production costs than that of Japan, and adopting a wiser, more long-term approach in terms of pearl quality and reputation, China has proved that it is a force to be reckoned with in the pearling world.
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Throughout history pearls have been worn by the rich, and given as rare and expensive gifts. Traditionally worn by new brides, they have long been a symbol of love, purity and perfection. Nowadays pearl jewellery is available to more people than ever before, and you no longer need to be royalty to afford it. Pearls of all shapes, sizes and colours are ‘cultured’ on farms around the world and with so many varieties to choose from any bride-to-be has no trouble finding the perfect pearls to match her wedding gown. In fact there are so many varieties that it can be difficult to know what to look for, so here are a few things to look out for:
Type of pearl – There are two types of pearl, saltwater and freshwater. Saltwater pearls are found in oysters in the sea, and are usually larger, rounder and clearer than their freshwater cousins. For this reason they usually also cost more. Freshwater pearls are farmed in lakes and rivers, usually smaller and often less regular in shape, though they come in a large range of different colours.
Size – When buying pearls, size really does make a huge difference. The larger the pearl, the more expensive it will be. Saltwater pearls are generally the bigger variety, and are therefore more highly sought after.
Nacre – Pearls take years to develop inside an oyster shell. When a foreign object gets into the shell the oyster produces layers of nacre, which gradually build up forming the pearl. The thicker the nacre coating, the more durable the pearl will be as jewellery. Some cultured saltwater pearls are ‘beaded’ with a larger nucleus used to speed up the process and keep the pearls as round as possible. Most farmed freshwater pearls and all natural pearls are composed entirely of nacre, so their shape is less likely to be perfectly round.
Luster – No pearl is perfectly shiny like glass but they do have a certain reflective sheen to them, called the lustre. Pearls that have this shimmery effect on the surface are the most popular type.
Colour – The natural colours of pearls are various shades of white, pink and lilac although nowadays you can now get cultured pearls dyed in almost any colour. A pearl necklace made of matching naturally-coloured pearls will cost more than dyed ones, as it can take a long time to collect enough matching pearls for a whole string.
Shape – When we think of the ideal pearls, we normally imagine that they are all perfectly round and shiny. In reality this is rare, and perfectly round pearls are very expensive as they are highly in demand. Small cultured pearls are more likely to be round and some larger ones are formed around a bead to help the shape develop. Irregularly shaped pearls are still used to produce unique pendants and earrings.
Matching – It can be hard to find enough pearls of the same size, shape and colour to make a whole necklace, so a string of regular pearls is more desirable and will be more expensive.
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