The Story of Pearls:
Thanks to the creative force of nature and the oyster mollusk, pearls are formed
when an irritant such as a grain of sand enters the shell. This causes the oyster
to secrete a calcium carbonate substance in order to smooth and ease the irritation.
Layers of nacre builds up around the grain of sand, and after several years...
... a natural pearl is formed.

Due to several factors such as pollution, demand and production time... the Cultured Pearl
was developed in Japan by Mikimoto in the late 1800's. Today, the cultured pearl is the most
popular pearl used in jewellery.

It involves the process of implanting a rounded shell (nucleus) into the shell as the irritant,
but this time instead of a grain of sand, it is larger between 3.0mm to 10.0mm depending on
the type and size of the mollusk (shell). This culturing of pearls is usually cultivated on pearl
farms in Japan and China, in both salt and fresh waters.

Pearl Types:

Quality & Value Factors:
Size: In general, the larger the pearl the more valuable it is. Sizes range from 1mm to 24.0mm
Shape: Perfectly round pearls are more expensive than off-round to baroque pearls.
Colour: Is a personal preference ranging from white, creamy, rose, silver to black.
Lustre: A measure of surface brilliance and reflection, ranging from very high to dull lustre.
Blemishes: Clean and smooth surface with no bumps, scratches and pits is most desirable.
Overtone: Common pink and green colours within each pearl, also known as orient.
Nacre: The translucent layer that covers the nucleus, ranging from very thick to very thin.
Matching: How well a strand of pearls matches in size, shape, colour, lustre, etc.

Caring for your Pearls:
Pearls need special care when worn and cleaned, such as:

• Put on your pearls after you've applied cosmetics, perfumes, and hairsprays.
  Harsh chemical can harm your pearls, so wipe them with a soft cloth weekly.
• Mild soap and water can be used to clean pearls. Allow to air dry.
• Store your pearls away from other jewellery to avoid scratching.
• Have your pearl strands checked yearly to make sure
  the knots are tight and secure.
  

For more info go to: www.pearlinfo.com

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