Pearls have fascinated humankind for thousands of years. Archaeological evidence indicates that almost 6,000 years ago in the Persian Gulf region, people were often buried with a pierced pearl resting in the right hand.
As products of living animals, pearls are unique among gems. In luster, size, shape and color , they exist in an amazing variety of forms -- far more than just small, round and white.
Luster
Luster is the deep inner glow of the pearl and its brilliance to the human eye. For cultured pearl experts, this factor is perhaps the most important indicator in evaluating cultured pearl quality because it is what separates the ordinary from the extraordinary. Throughout history, this unique quality has separated pearls from all other gems and it is what many experts term the heart and soul of a pearl.
Size
Pearls are measured by their diameter in millimeters. They can be smaller than one millimeter in the case of tiny seed pearls, or as large as twenty millimeters for a big South Sea pearl. The larger the pearl, other factors being equal, the more valuable it will be. Although this does depend on the type of pearl, for example if an extremely large Akoya pearl is discovered it may be more valuable than an average sized South Sea pearl.
Shape
Shapes range in descending order of value from round to semi-round, from off-round to oval and from drop to baroque. Generally the shapes from round to drop are pretty symmetrical, while anything baroque denotes a pearl that is completely asymmetrical or free-form. The more spherical (rounder) and symmetrical the pearl, the more valuable it will be. Irregular shaped pearls can be very attractive and are usually less expensive than round pearls.
Color
Cultured pearls come in a variety of colors from silvery white to black, with a rainbow of colors inbetween.This includes body colors (the overall color) and overtones (translucent colors that appear over the body color). Color is entirely a matter of personal preference. Because of changes in the natural habitat, the availability of certain colors can vary - and scarcity affects price.
Care of Your Pearls
It is important to wear your pearls regularly. Frequent wear means you aren't storing your pearls for prolonged periods of times in tightly sealed or overly dry areas. Storing your pearls under these conditions can lead to the pearl drying out and potentially cracking. iepearl.com recommends storing your pearls in a soft terrycloth bag with nothing else. If you store your pearls in a pearl jewelry box with metals or other freshwater pearl jewelry you risk the possibility of scratching the surface of your pearls. It is best to store them alone in a place where air can get at them. At the same time you want to make sure the pearls are not stored in excessive heat or excessive light.
Orignal From: pearl jewelry
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