Pearls
Determine Which Type of Pearl You Need
When a small foreign object gets introduced into the body of an oyster or mollusk the organism produces a soft coating of calcium carbonate (nacre) around it, creating a pearl. Small foreign objects don’t wander into mollusks very often so pearl cultivators insert microscopic objects into the organisms to create cultured pearls. You’ll find four popular types of cultured pearls on eBay:
* Freshwater cultured pearls: Affordable freshwater cultured pearls originate in the freshwater lakes and rivers of China. They often have an asymmetrical shape, medium to high luster, and measure between 3.5 mm and 7.0 mm. Freshwater cultured pearls are mostly white, but can have a pink or rose tint.
* Tahitian cultured pearls: Tahitian cultured pearls have a unique black to grayish-green color. The large pearls, ranging from 11 mm to 13 mm, are farmed on the volcanic atolls and reefs of Tahiti. They are mostly round in shape and have a rich, high luster. Tahitian cultured pearls tend to cost more than other types of pearls based on their scarcity and unique look.
* Akoya cultured pearls: Akoya cultured pearls are a type of saltwater pearl from China and Japan. They have round, symmetrical shape with few blemishes and measure between 6 mm and 8.5 mm. Akoya cultured pearls have a higher luster than freshwater pearls, average pricing, and a light color that ranges from cream to white/pink.
* South Sea cultured pearls: Large South Sea cultured pearls (up to 13 mm), farmed in Australia, Indonesia, and the Philippines, range in color from white to black. They can have a perfectly round to slightly asymmetrical shape and medium to high luster. Price varies depending on luster.
Judge Pearl Quality
Six factors determine the value of pearls:
1. Pearl luster: Luster describes a pearl’s shininess. The higher the luster, the greater the pearl’s value.
2. Pearl nacre thickness: The depth of the nacre, a pearl’s external layer, is a measure of pearl quality. Generally, bigger pearls have thicker nacre layers and greater luster. Thin nacre can be prone to chipping and peeling.
3. Pearl surface texture: Natural pearls can have a wide variety of abrasions. Minimal flaws do not severely detract from a pearl’s value. However, more obvious surface imperfections will reduce a pearl’s value. Drilling holes and stringing pearls on a necklace or mounting pearls can help deemphasize such imperfections.
4. Pearl color: The color of pearls is called “body color.” Color is not a significant factor in determining a pearl’s value as pearls can be found in gray, blue, gold, pink, white, black, and all shades of cream. Pearls can also be dyed, though reputable sellers should alert buyers of any such treatments. Some pearls have a secondary color or overtone. For instance, a white pearl may have a blue or pink tint upon closer inspection.
5. Pearl shape: Pearl shape can vary widely. Perfectly round pearls tend to command the greatest prices. Drop pearls and pear-shaped pearls can be particularly suited for earrings. Many jewelers use irregular baroque pearls as accents in jewelry.
6. Pearl size: Similar to diamonds, larger pearls are more expensive. Round pearls are measured according to their diameter in millimeters; baroque pearls by length and width.
How to Maintain Your Pearls
Pearls are not as hard as mineral gemstones. When dressing, put on pearls only after applying hairspray, cosmetics, perfume or other potentially harmful substances that might stain them. To prevent chipping, pearl jewelry should be stored in soft cloth, away from other jewels.
Clean your pearls The oils from your skin actually help keep pearls moist, so even soapy water is unnecessary for cleaning pearls. Never clean pearls with any type of solvent or abrasive. To best maintain them, wipe them after use with a soft cloth, like those used for eyeglasses.
Know when to restring your pearls It is recommended that you restring pearls every few years as strings can wear down and break if not maintained.
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