The Pearl Quality Factors

There are 6 main factors to keep in mind when determining a pearls quality and worth: Nacre, Luster, Surface, Shape, Color and Size.

Nacre:
Nacre is the smooth surface that gives the pearl its beauty. When an irritant enters the oyster or as in the case of cultured pearls is placed inside the oyster, it responds by coating the irritant with layers of nacre. The thicker and smoother the nacre the more valuable the pearl. Good quality Akoya pearls should have a nacre thickness of about 10-15% of the diameter of the pearl - in comparison Tahitian pearls may be up to 50% nacre.

Luster:
This is the intense glow that comes from within the pearl, this is produced by light entering the pearl and reflecting back through the layers of nacre. The quality of the luster is directly related to how even and smooth the layers of nacre are. You should be able to see your reflection on the surface of a pearl with good luster. A pearl with no reflection or a dull color is of poor quality.

Surface:
With pearls the cleaner the surface the more valuable it will be. A good quality pearl will have few blemishes or marks - of course a pearl is from mother nature and few minor blemishes should be expected on all but the finest strands.

Shape:
A perfectly round pearl is the most sought after and the most rare of cultured pearls. So rare are round pearls that only 5-10% of a pearl farm's harvest will be even and round. The rest of the harvest will vary from semi-round pearls to asymmetrical baroque pearls.


Color:
Color does not greatly affect the price of pearls as it is mostly a matter of taste - When choosing a color a general guideline is skin tone. Many women with fair or light colored skin feel rose (pink) overtones look best. While women with dark skin, olive skin or that tan easily find black or cream overtones look best.

Size:
Pearls can range in size from 1mm seed pearls to huge 20mm South Sea pearls. Cultured pearls of 6 - 7.5mm are the most common, above this size the price jumps upward rapidly with each half-millimeter from 7.5mm up. To date the largest pearl recorded is a 26.95mm baroque south sea pearl.

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Refer to http://www.3a-pearl.com/

Pearl Maintenance

1. Do not put pearls in your wallet or your favorite box that with other jewelry mixed together, lest some things hard to scratch the pearl surface;


2. Do not let them touch with something such as hair gel, cosmetics and perfumes, etc;

3. Do not wear a pearl necklace when you are in bath or exercising;

4. If a string of pearls is connected together by nylon line, it can be washed using very dilute soapy water, and dry it immediately;

5. Gently care your pearls. Use chamois leather, cotton or silk cloth to wrap it up when save;

6. For round pearls, make a knot between every two pearls is best, so that will not all fall if broken;

7. Go shop to re-string your pearls every two years is necessary;
 
8. Do not wear your pearls if no need, taking down to save it is the largest protection.

A natural pearl weighing 2.25 kg

It is believed to the second largest pearl that have found in the world.

Bonhams said in a statement that the pearl was discovered in waters near the Philippine island of Palawan, its shape like the human brain and the diameter is up to 15 cm, the pearl weighs 2.25 kg.
 
The estimated price of this pearl is between 300,000 to 400,000 dollars, the auction will be held on Dec. 6 at the Natural History Museum in Los Angeles, and the lower half of the clamshell which seeds this large peal will be auctioned together.
 
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Refer to Pearl Home

Why pearl is so beautiful

Under the light, from different angles to observe the pearls, we will find pearls radiating mysterious colors, and will change with the angle change. Some pearls are as drops of glittering dew which are scattered on the lotus leaf of the morning, and some pearls are primitive simplicity and mysterious as the copper cast that comes from the long history river of thousands years.

Why?

It relates to the structure and composition of pearl.

There are 2 factors to determine the pearl's color:

First is the pigment pearl secreted. The pigment will be varyed with the different environment and the different shellfish species. Because the environment is ever changing, so of course the color of pearls is confusing.

Second is the structure of pearls. Pearl is formed by layers nacre (about 0.3 ~ 0.4um thick layer). These nacres are parallel, and the profile is a concentric circles structure. each of nacre is very smooth, and is translucent. So when the light shine on pearl, some would be reflected by the surface, while the other part enter into the pearl inside, and would be reflected by another layer of nacre, of course, there would be a part of light can enter into the deeper layers of nacre. Therefore, on each layer of nacre, there will be some light is reflected, but also part of the light is refracted, and part of the light will pass through Pearl (below).

Because of the light reflection, pearl looks very bright and shiny; because of the light transmission, pearl looks very crystal clear; and because of the refraction, the light will produce interference, resulting in volatile colors.

There is Pearl's own color, and the color of the surrounding environment, coupled with the color generated by refraction and interference, pearl becomes very hazy and mysterious.

But things are far from so simple, the beauty of pearls comes more from its rare, and the happy stories it leaves in the long history river. There are so many of pearl-related stories and they are certainly not ordinary. It has its truth, because the really good pearl is encountered but not importuned.

In natural circumstances, to produce a good pearl is extremely difficult, even if in the artificial breeding conditions, to appear a good pearl is never easy, too. Because a pearl from its mother at birth (larvae) started to the last pearl breeding, for up to 5 years. During this period, There is cold, heat and season turns, food shortages, etc. all will adversely affect the growth of shellfish at any time, then a negative impact on the pearl. When up to harvest time, we could pick out only one or two satisfactory pearls from thousands and millions pearls, if there is a perfect pearl appears, it is simply a miracle.

Judge the quality of pearl

There are four aspects can affect pearl's quality, they are size, shape, color and skin light.

if the pearl sizes are different, their worth are very different, too. The larger the pearl, the more valuable.

Pearl's shape has precisely round, ordinary round, flat, bread-shaped, oval, milk fall-shaped, gourd-shaped, etc. The precisely round is the best, followed by the other form, irregular shape is the bads.

Pearl colors are white, yellow, pink, purple, black, gray and so on.

Pearls' quality is quite different, according to international standards, pearls are divided into five levels, The high-quality pearl which diameter is more than 9 mm can ask price each, each price is very high, even can up to million of dollars.

And substandard Pearl (raw beads, dirt beads, with light bead) ask price in tonnes or tens of dollars / kg, which is generally only as medicine.

Pearl is also divided into natural pearls and cultured pearls, and natural pearl is nearly exhausted as early as the late Ming and early Qing Dynasty of China (about in the middle of 17th-century), in the natural environment, every ten thousand mussels can only be picked about 10g pearls, and small size, irregular shape, plus with the pearl picking is a very dangerous and difficult work, along with the rise of cultured pearls, the pearl-picking industry has long disappeared.

So there is no longer a natural pearl, and now pearls on the market, basically, are all cultured pearls.

Cultured pearls are divided into sea pearls and freshwater pearls.

The advantage of freshwater pearls is that no nuclear, easy maintenance, more production; and the disadvantage is that 80% worse shape which only as medicine, the precisely round pearls is very rare.

The disadvantage of seawater pearls is that nuclear, production is very easy affected by the natural environmental, and the advantage is good color, precisely round, most are able to make jewelry.

Refer to Pearl Home

The seven principles of pearl evaluation

1, Luster: Luster is the most important factor to assess whether or not to buy pearls. Because the gloss depends on the thickness of nacre, delicate degree and transparency.

2, nacre thickness: the thickness of nacre pearl directly affects the durability and aesthetics.

3, shape: Pearl shape is divided into several categories: round, flat round, teardrop-shaped, semi-irregular-shaped and irregular-shaped. A circle is the best form. However, ingenious style can make non-round pearls are a beautiful and unique jewelry.

4, defects: the pearl surface to smooth and delicate as the best, but such a rare, after all. As long as the naked eye is not obvious, does not affect the appearance should be regarded as a good bead.

5, color and with color: to evaluate the quality of pearls is an important factor. In addition to its own color, there are also floating in the body such as the rainbow colors on the color which is called "with color", and it often only appear on the local of a pearl. The pearls which has the "with color" is cuter than the ones which has no the "with color".

6, size: pearl size has a great matter to its value. Under the same level, the greater the more precious.

7, structure and coordination: hand is a very important part. This can be seen a professional mosaic manufacturer level.

These seven factors above should be intergrated to evaluate a Pearl jewelry, don't hold a part as the whole that only because a fly in the ointment to deny its value.


Refer to Pearl Home

Pearl symbolism around the world

Arab --- Wealth

China --- Recovery

Egypt --- Love

Greece --- Pure

India --- Happy

Rome --- Love and Joy 



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Pearl Culture - 2

When we read in Chinese history, the book often has referred to pearl as a tribute dedicated to the emperor, ministers, wives and so on. for the precious extent of pearl, Chinese people should be very clear, because it is very well known since ancient times.

Pearl and other Gems is different from that without going through carving and polishing, but has been already a pretty eye-catching accessories, which is its uniqueness.
 Ancient people believed pearls can cure thyroid virus, and can bring gook luck to the wearer, pearl has been  the lucky birth Gems for June, also represents the 12th anniversary of wedding jewelry, which is a symbol of happiness.

Diamond is the King of Gems, Pearl is the Queen of Gems, the former feel cold (because it is the minerals) and the later is warm (because pearls are organic objects), to represent the wisdom and love, No other jewelry can be compared with it.

Pearl culture has a long history, in 5,000 years history of Chinese civilization, there are 4,000 years of pearl recorded history. From the Qin Dynasty, the pearl has become a luxury for the court dignitaries, the Han Dynasty's royal princes were also widely used pearls, pearls had been distinguished symbol.

In the Renaissance, painting "Birth of Venus" vividly depicts the myths of pearl formation: Venus is floating along with a huge open shell slowly slowly from sea surface, who shed countless water droplets, the water droplets instantly become to some white pearls, which give people a lifelike and beautiful feeling.
 Throughout history, pearls have always been a symbol of richment, satisfaction, happiness and dignity.
 The dignitaries in feudal society use pearl to represent their position, power, money and distinguished identity, and the general populace use pearl to symbolize happiness, peace and good fortune.
 Back in the early stages of mankind, when the primitive along the coast and rivers to find food, they found the pearl, since then, it has been the subject of human favor. So far, they are still the most valuable human asset. Perhaps part of the reason is because they are not applied in the modification that can be demonstrated directly.


From Pearl Home

Pearl Culture - 1

When we think of shining glory of fascinating jewelry, the mind will not help appears smooth shine of pearls.


The so-called "jewels", in addition to including a variety of different stones, the precious pearl can not still be missing.


Pearls has a long history.

Legend has 5,000 years of history of pearls, in China, the earliest records of Confucius; said freshwater pearls as precious gifts, from the beginning in 2206 BC; in the Persian area, there is Pearl remains in In 2000 BC; Egypt and the Greeks in 330 BC has been decorated with pearls; Alexander down the Persian army after returning from India, also brought back a lot of pearls.


Stories in the history of Rome, also mentioned the most popular pearl jewelry for the nobility. Some Roman women to wear more 24 hours, they believe that will make people's health and wealth. In European history, a period called the "Pearl Time", reflects a love for the pearl. During the Crusades, Europeans from the East brought back a lot of pearls, pearl started the boom in Europe, the next few centuries were nobles, warriors, etc. for personal accessories.


Later, it became a royal pearl exclusive gem.


In 1612, in Saxony also announced a law banning the aristocracy, professionals and civilians wearing pearls, only the imperial family can have this privilege. Queen Elizabeth I is also very fond of pearls, her dress and hair are often pearl foil, like the books as evidence. After Columbus discovered the New World early, some writers described finding the pearl inside the cottage, quantity to 2 gallons. An Indiana temple was described by them, said to be decorated by pearls; the mound in the United States, Ohio, to uncover a large number of freshwater pearls, confirmed that the indians in that time were already know how to use Pearl as a necklace, hair and the decoration in copper sculptures. The natives believe that pearls have high status, so even an imitation appears.

Pearl value in China ancient time

Both of pearl and jade has always been praised in the world, it is a Chinese aesthetic consciousness and cultural heritage of the carrier.

China has a very long history of use of pearls. In ancient times, pearl is not only a decorative function and economic value, but also is a symbol of social status. Round beauty, full, shiny, circulation, all of the aesthetic sentiment obtained from the shape of these pearls, has followed so far as the aesthetic taste and aesthetic pursuit. Our China ancient people divided pearl into 9 grade, the pearl which has rounded form and shiny color would be the beautiful and favorite one, body tilt errors or wrinkled, color with yellow halo, all belong to a flaw. The larger particles of pearl, round beauty bright, colorful Avision can be issued, the more valuable.


Qing Zhao Yi's "canopy exposed Notes", has a very detailed records for the Pearl Price on the GuangDong market of China Qing Dynasty: a pearl, which size is as big as a longan, with soybean size of yellow halo, weighs about 3 Qian (about 11 gram ), asking price is ten thousand taels of silver (about 10,000*37.2g) .
If the same size, but also flawless pearls, twenty thousand taels silver (about 20,000*37.2g) may not be able to buy. And a weight of about six or seven cents(about 2.5 gram), less structured form of pearls, the price is about seven or eight hundred taels silver (about 700*37.2g); If it is the same weight, shape is very rounded pearls, its price would to be asked two thousand taels silver (about 2000*37.2 gram) .


In Qianlong period of Qing Dynasty, Buddhist devotees from a wealthy family, often making pearl beads.  Select 108 pearls which the weighing is about a 4 cents (about 1.5 gram) each, and the color and shape is similar, need to take about four-five thousand taels silver (about 4500*37.2 gram). If the selection pearls's weighing is about five cents (about 1.9 gram), the price is about six-seven thousand taels silver (about 6500*37.2 gram). With the Buddha head, back cloud of beads, a string of beads, need to spend about thirty thousand taels silver (about 30,000*37.2 gram) to perfection.

Therefore, in the "Dream of Red Mansions", Cao Xueqin use "Pearl as soil and Golden as iron" to describe Xue's wealth, the pearl's precious level is enough to appear at that time.

Pearl Definition

Almost any shelled mollusk can, by natural processes, produce some kind of "pearl" when an irritating microscopic object becomes trapped within the mollusk's mantle folds, but the great majority of these "pearls" are not valued as gemstones. Nacreous pearls, the best-known and most commercially-significant pearls, are primarily produced by two groups of molluscan bivalves or clams. A nacreous pearl is made from layers of nacre, by the same living process as is used in the secretion of the mother of pearl which lines the shell.

A "natural pearl" or "wild pearl" is one that forms without any human intervention at all, in the wild, and is very rare. Many hundreds of pearl oysters or pearl mussels have to be gathered and opened, and thus killed, in order to find even one wild pearl, and for many centuries that was the only way pearls were obtained. This was the main reason why pearls fetched such extraordinary prices in the past. A cultured pearl is formed in a pearl farm, using human intervention as well as natural processes.


One family of nacreous pearl bivalves – the pearl oyster – lives in the sea, while the other – a very different group of bivalves – lives in freshwater; these are the river mussels such as the freshwater pearl mussel. Saltwater pearls can grow in several species of marine pearl oysters in the family Pteriidae. Freshwater pearls grow within certain (but by no means all) species of freshwater mussels in the order Unionida, the families Unionidae and Margaritiferidae.

Pearl Introduction

A pearl is a round shiny object produced by mollusks and used in jewelry.

More, A pearl being extracted from an pearl oyster, it is a hard object produced within the soft tissue (specifically the mantle) of a living shelled mollusk. Just like the shell of a mollusk, a pearl is made up of calcium carbonate in minute crystalline form, which has been deposited in concentric layers. The ideal pearl is perfectly round and smooth, but many other shapes of pearls (baroque pearls) occur. The finest quality natural pearls have been highly valued as gemstones and objects of beauty for many centuries, and because of this, the word pearl has become a metaphor for something very rare, fine, admirable, and valuable.

The most valuable pearls occur spontaneously in the wild, but they are extremely rare. Cultured or farmed pearls from pearl oysters make up the majority of those that are currently sold. Pearls from the sea are valued more highly than freshwater pearls. Imitation or fake pearls are also widely sold in inexpensive jewelry, but the quality of their iridescence is usually very poor, and generally speaking, artificial pearls are easily distinguished from genuine pearls. Pearls have been harvested and cultivated primarily for use in jewelry, but in the past they were also stitched onto lavish clothing. Pearls have also been crushed and used in cosmetics, medicines, and in paint formulations.


Pearls that are considered to be of gemstone quality are almost always nacreous and iridescent, wild or cultured, like the interior of the shell that produces them. However, almost all species of shelled mollusks are capable of producing pearls (formerly referred to as "calcareous concretions" by some sources) of lesser shine or less spherical shape. Although these may also be legitimately referred to as "pearls" by gemological labs and also under U.S. Federal Trade Commission rules,[1] and are formed in the same way, most of them have no value, except as curios.