PEARLS
Unlike other gems mined from the ground, pearls grow in live oysters as well as mussels in the sea and fresh water. The process of creating a pearl begins when a foreign object, such as a grain of sand, ends up inside an oyster or mussel.
An oyster or mussel begins to secrete mother of pearl around a foreign stimulus layer by layer to protect against it.
An oyster or mussel begins to secrete mother of pearl around a foreign stimulus layer by layer to protect against it.
WHAT IS A PEARL?
Mother of pearl is a crystalline substance composed of microscopically small crystals of calcium carbonate. These crystals cluster closely together and create a perfect harmony of light and color.
Mother of pearl can be found in the shell of an oyster or mussel as well as in the pearl itself.
STAGES OF PEARL CULTIVATION
1. Placing the irritant: A person surgically places a round piece of mother of pearl inside an oyster or mussel.
2. Back to the water: An oyster or mussel is lowered into the sea or river where it lives, secreting mother of pearl around the irritant.
3. Treatment: The oyster or mussel is lifted out of the water at regular intervals for cleaning and health care.
4. Removing the pearl: Some months or years later, the oyster or mussel is lifted out of the water and the pearl is surgically removed from inside the oyster or mussle.
2. Back to the water: An oyster or mussel is lowered into the sea or river where it lives, secreting mother of pearl around the irritant.
3. Treatment: The oyster or mussel is lifted out of the water at regular intervals for cleaning and health care.
4. Removing the pearl: Some months or years later, the oyster or mussel is lifted out of the water and the pearl is surgically removed from inside the oyster or mussle.
FRESHWATER PEARL
Most freshwater pearls are grown in China. Freshwater pearls come in a variety of shapes and colors. They are cheaper than seawater pearls, but just as durable and shiny.
AKOYA PEARL
Akoya pearls are cultured seawater pearls grown mainly in Japan and China. Akoya pearls have a deep luster and are usually pink or white.
STEAM BEAD
Tahitian pearls are produced only by black-lipped oysters in the islands of Tahiti, French Polynesia. These pearls are gray, black and even dark green. Tahitian pearls are the second most valuable type of pearl in the world and the rounder and bigger, the more valuable.
SOUTH SEA PEARL
South Sea pearls are cultivated in Pacific countries. The most beautiful of them are from Australia. They are valuable because of their rarity, size and color. South Sea pearls can be yellow, gray and white. The yellow pearl of the South Sea is the most valuable pearl variety in the world.
WHY IS A PEARL SO VALUABLE?
Cultivation time: Creating the perfect pearl inside an oyster takes years.
Perfection: It takes time and effort to find pearls that are exactly the same shape and color for one single necklace.
Workmanship: Only pearl technicians can place the irritant inside an oyster and remove the pearl without killing it. Caring for oysters requires professionalism.
Features: The type, size, color, luster, and shape of a pearl affect its price.
PEARL CARE INSTRUCTIONS
1. Wipe the pearls with a clean dry cloth after use to get rids of oil or other dirt on the surface of the pearl.
1. Wipe the pearls with a clean dry cloth after use to get rids of oil or other dirt on the surface of the pearl.
2. You can wipe visibly dirty pearls with a damp cloth and use soap that does not contain alcohol or strong chemicals.
3. If the pearl necklace gets wet during cleaning, allow it to dry. This way, the silk thread used in the jewelry does not suffer.
4. Occasionally take the jewelry to the manufacturer if you notice that the thread appears loose.
5. Wear them last, undress them first. Do not wear pearls while adding cosmetic products containing alcohol, for example perfume..
6. Store the jewelry in a bag. The bag protects the pearls from scratches. Do not store the jewelry in a rack, it will wear out the silk thread.
7. Beads love moisture so use them as often as possible. The surface of the pearl remains beautiful this way. The pearls will start to turn yellow and get cracks when they are dry.
8. Remember that the surface of the pearl is very delicate. Avoid solvents and other strong substances.