Advices for Selecting Pearl Earrings

If you like pearl earrings, you're not alone. Pearls enjoy a long history and have appeared in art, literature and music. They have adorned kings and criminals and continued to enjoy a kind of popularity that has not diminished to this day.

Pearls are highly valued and there are few cultures in the world who do not know what it is. His oldest record dates back to 2300 BC, when it was used as gifts to emperors and members of the royal court in China. It was highly prized by the Greeks and was believed to bring love for couples. The Qur'an describes it as one of the greatest treasures of Paradise.

The pearls were traded by Native Americans and about the findings, which were then collected and shipped to Europe from the colonies. With this growing volume of trade of pearls, was only a matter of time before Pearl producing mollusks began to be threatened with extinction, but it did not happen.

Throughout late 1800 and early 1900, Japanese researchers found that the oysters can be stimulated artificially by deliberately introducing particulate matter to them. This process was perfected by Kokichi Mikimoto, whose name is now synonymous with high quality cultured pearls.

Natural vs. Cultured

Gem-quality natural pearls are very rare, because those produced by mollusks are not always good enough for jewelry. Other than that, some of the forms are not acceptable. There is also a very small number of cultivated pearls and is available by jewelers than cultured pearls, which are easily produced in the desired shape and size and properly taken.

Natural pearls are generally not superior in quality and value for the pearls, though perfectly natural round pearl is the most prized because of their rarity. The only difference between the two types is their method of production. Both are real pearls.

Choosing a pearl of good quality

Pearls are valued according to several factors, a combination that can significantly affect its price:

Color - is determined based on two things: the body color and tone. The body color is the main color of the pearl, which can range from the more common white, cream, green and silver, gold, blue and black. The body color depends on the type of the pearl oyster was produced, and on the water conditions in force at the time of its production.

The tone is a translucent color / s you can see over the body color, although there are pearls without overtones. Imagine the pearl as a colored ball and imagine a tone as a colored plastic wrap over it. The noise can add shine and depth of the pearl and can change its main color, a little. For example, a pearl can have a cream color with pink tones.

- Size of a general, the larger the pearl, the more valuable it is. The size is measured in millimeters and determined by the diameter of the pearl.

Shape - pearls come in a wide range of formats: the round (spherical and near-round), symmetrical (oval, button and a drop or pear shaped) and baroque (irregular and non-symmetrical).

Luster - precious pearls are reflective. The higher quality of its luster, the more that can reflect light and images around and brighter it is. Luster is dependent on the quality and quantity of nacre, which contains a pearl.

Surface quality - pearls of high value are those with small imperfections such as blemishes, swelling or discoloration. The more he is almost perfect, the most valuable.

Caring for your pearl earrings

Pearls are very delicate, and organic and softer than other gems, which is why we care for them may require a different approach. They can crack, are easily damaged and can be scratched by harder gems. To keep them in good shape, would be a good idea to keep them in a separate container, away from their other gemstones. Thus, the pearls are not in danger of friction with the stones more difficult.

Special care is also needed when using beads with cosmetics. They are very absorbent and chemicals such as perfumes and sprays can affect them, so that the body's natural oils and sweat. To avoid as much contact with these substances as possible, put makeup and perfume before you use your pearl earrings.

Cleaning pearl earrings is very easy - just wipe the dirt with a soft damp cloth and occasionally wash them with soap and water. Make sure to dry with a soft cloth. If you care for your pearls, they will continue to be a beautiful and valuable part of your collection of jewelry.