For more than thousands of years, Pearl jeweleries have been admired for their beauty and rarity all over the globe. Some ancient cultures still believed that pearls were a symbol of the moon and it had magical powers. During the Dark Ages, knights those who wore pearls onto the battlefield believing that, the pearls' magic would safeguard them. Today, almost all pearls which are used in jewelry are cultured pearls, meaning they have been created with the help of man. A tiny bead or piece of mantle tissue will be placed inside an oyster shell. After so many months, gradual layers of nacre form to create the pearl.
There are many different types of cultured pearls are available and they are akoya pearls, South Sea pearls and mabe pearls. Freshwater pearls are sprung up in non-saline waters; while South Sea and Tahitians are cultured in salt waters. Pearls have long been a symbol of purity and innocence. Some believe that wearing a pearl helps one to be honest, pure and wise. Today cultured pearls have an exciting range of colors, sizes and shapes which makes them ideal for a wide range of jewelry. This new pearl diversity is thanks to new producing countries, new mollusks, and new demand from consumers who have made multicolor strands and new styles of pearl jewelry as popular as traditional strands of white pearls.
Quality of cultured pearls is determined by the orient, which is the soft iridescence caused by the refraction of light by the layers of nacre, and luster, the reflectivity and shine of the surface. Also look for any flaws or spots in the nacre: the best pearls have an even smooth texture. Other factors that affect value are the regularity of the shape, size, and color. Cultured pearls and natural pearls can be distinguished from imitation pearls by a very simple test. Take a pearl and rub it gently against the edge of a tooth. Cultured and natural pearls will feel slightly rough, like fine sandpaper, because of the texture of natural nacre. Imitations will feel as smooth as glass because the surface is molded or painted on a smooth bead. Pearls are organic and they have a relatively low hardness of 2.5 to 3.5 and should be stored away from other jewelry to prevent scratching. Always put on perfume and sprays before you put on pearls, since chemicals may be absorbed into pearls, staining them. Wipe clean with a moist soft cloth.
Pearls are available in varied sizes and shapes and colors. You can buy a set which includes earrings, a bracelet and a necklace. This can be a great gift to give to your mother, your wife, your sister, your best friend, your bridesmaids, your niece, daughter or granddaughter. You can customize your jewelery and have something very ornate or you can have something very simple and elegant as well. A single strand of pearls around the neck can be classically beautiful. You can buy just about any style, size, color and type of pearl from By Elise. They can be under a hundred dollars and can be well into the thousands.
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