The natural colors of freshwater pearls are shades of white and shades of pink, from pale lavender to peach. Freshwater pearls can also be permanently color enhanced to appear many other colors, for example shades of black, grey, gold, green or blue. The shiny luster of the surface of a pearl draws the eye to their natural beauty. Some surface blemishes are normal and actually can add visual interest! Freshwater pearls should have a substantial weight (heft) as you hold them. Pearls should also feel cool to the touch and will warm up to your body heat. When you gently rub two pearls together they should "feel gritty, not slick". This sensation you are feeling is actually the many layers of nacre (or "mother of pearl") rubbing against each other.
Cultured pearls grow in many different shapes, colors and sizes. Perfectly round and unblemished pearls are the most expensive and hard to find when harvesting cultured pearls. Pearls grow inside the actual mollusk as a result of the surgical insertion of a piece of mantle from another mollusk. The presence of the foreign tissue causes the mussel to secrete layers of shiny nacre around it to form a beautiful pearl! The process of cultured pearl farming actually gives more people the chance to own and enjoy beautiful pearls as the resulting pearls are less costly. Ninety five percent of the pearls sold in jewelry stores around the world are cultured pearls, whether they are freshwater or saltwater in origin. Pearls can occur naturally but those are exceptionally rare to find and very pricey. Most saltwater pearls are farmed, or cultured, to meet the market demand for these more expensive pearls and the rarity of finding naturally formed pearls. The famous Mikimoto of Japanese pearl fame actually developed in the late 1800's and introduced pearl farming to the Chinese. Today more than 85% of the worlds' cultured pearls come from China.
"Last on, first off" is a good old Southern rule of thumb for taking care of your pearls. Try to avoid spraying hair products or perfumes directly on your pearls. When you're ready to take them off, wipe them gently with a slightly damp soft cloth without stretching the strand and allow to dry. Store them in a pouch by themselves, away from other pieces of jewelry, to prevent scratching the lustrous surfaces of your pearls. I also suggest that you have your pearls restrung every few years (or yearly if you wear them every day). Use a professional who will will hand knot between every pearl on doubled silk thread. They will become family treasures!
Cultured pearls grow in many different shapes, colors and sizes. Perfectly round and unblemished pearls are the most expensive and hard to find when harvesting cultured pearls. Pearls grow inside the actual mollusk as a result of the surgical insertion of a piece of mantle from another mollusk. The presence of the foreign tissue causes the mussel to secrete layers of shiny nacre around it to form a beautiful pearl! The process of cultured pearl farming actually gives more people the chance to own and enjoy beautiful pearls as the resulting pearls are less costly. Ninety five percent of the pearls sold in jewelry stores around the world are cultured pearls, whether they are freshwater or saltwater in origin. Pearls can occur naturally but those are exceptionally rare to find and very pricey. Most saltwater pearls are farmed, or cultured, to meet the market demand for these more expensive pearls and the rarity of finding naturally formed pearls. The famous Mikimoto of Japanese pearl fame actually developed in the late 1800's and introduced pearl farming to the Chinese. Today more than 85% of the worlds' cultured pearls come from China.
"Last on, first off" is a good old Southern rule of thumb for taking care of your pearls. Try to avoid spraying hair products or perfumes directly on your pearls. When you're ready to take them off, wipe them gently with a slightly damp soft cloth without stretching the strand and allow to dry. Store them in a pouch by themselves, away from other pieces of jewelry, to prevent scratching the lustrous surfaces of your pearls. I also suggest that you have your pearls restrung every few years (or yearly if you wear them every day). Use a professional who will will hand knot between every pearl on doubled silk thread. They will become family treasures!
Questions? Contact theculturedpearlofcharleston@gmail.com