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How To Buy Quality Pearls
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 any other gem on the earth.Natural pearls grow naturally in oysters living at sea without the human intervention. When any irritant or a parasite enters inside an oyster or mollusk then the process of natural coating begins with layer upon layer of nacre inside the oyster. But natural pearls are rarely found now a days. On the other hand culture pearls are very real and genuine. These cultured pearls are formed with the human help when a nucleus is implanted inside the oyster and then the process of coating begins with layers upon layers of iridescent substance called nacre and it takes about 2-5 years to form a complete pearl depending upon techniques and where it is grown, sea or rivers among other conditions. Reflection and refraction from the translucent layers truly determines the unique luster quality of pearls. The display of iridescence in pearls is result of overlapping of successive layers.
All the pearls found and sold in the market today are cultured pearls, be it freshwater or seawater pearls. Fresh water pearls are generally grown in ponds, lakes or rivers whereas seawater pearls are grown under seawaters. Fresh water pearls are known by fresh water pearls name only and seawater-cultured pearls go by different names such as Akoya. Tahitian and South Sea Water pearls depending upon the bivalve mollusks types producing them. No matter Freshwater or Sea Water pearls, quality and price again depends upon the size, shape, luster, color and surface etc.
Pearl Nacre: The iridescent internal layer of a mollusk shell. It is a natural substance oyster secretes to protect its sensitive flesh. The thin nacre is very prone to peeling and chipping whereas thicker layer commands more value because of its greater luster depth.
Pearl Surface: If outer surface is very clean and have very few blemishes such pearls carry higher value. Higher quality of pearls have mirror like finish and without any blemishes on its surface.
Pearl Size: Pearls are commonly measured in millimeters (mm) in their diameter. Large size pearls carry higher prices. Even 1 mm makes the difference. The average most sold pearls today are between 6.5mm and 7.5mm and are preferred choice of many young women. Depending upon age and taste many go for higher sizes.
Pearl Color: Surface color or body color. Most irradiated or dyed pearls have surface colors. The natural pearl colors are white, black, champagne, green, gray, aqua and gold. Again within each category there are common overtones. White with rose overtones look great especially on fair skin and the cream or the golden overtones look fabulous on darker complexions. Most important is, it's woman’s own taste and preference.
Pearl Shape: The perfect round shape always have higher pearl values but near round or off round are very much common, great in demand and sold everyday. There are other shapes too like potato shapes, drop tear shapes, pear shapes and irregular baroque shape pearls also and are being commonly used by jewelers and designers alike.
Kheri www.pearlprincess.com - Wear like a princess.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Kheri_Chawla
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11.08.2006
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