The timeless elegance of cultured pearl jewelry is unsurpassed and this selection of affordable Tahitian pearl necklaces, pearl pendants, bracelets and pearl earrings make a stunning addition to your fine jewelry wardrobe and the perfect gift for that special someone.
Pearl jewelry has long been given as a romantic gift and, because pearls symbolise purity and innocence, the perfect complement to any bridal gown is pearl jewelry. Pearl jewelry is classic, whilst remaining contemporary and fashionable. Pearl jewelry is a traditional western gift for couples celebrating their 3rd anniversary but its timeless quality also makes the classic 30th wedding anniversary gift one of pearl jewelry. Click on any of the links to buy your choice of stunning and affordable pearl jewelry.
Pearls are one of the oldest known gems and for centuries were considered even more valuable than diamonds by the ancient Romans and Egyptians. The passion for pearl jewelry has continued unabated throughout the ages.
Pearls originally form when a foreign body, such as a grain of sand or coral, finds its way into the shell of a freshwater or marine mollusc, usually a clam or an oyster. The pearl forms over many years as the mollusc’s defence mechanisms coats the foreign body with layer upon layer of a slightly iridescent substance called nacre.
Because harvesting of natural pearls of size and quality by open water divers was haphazard, pearl jewelry was historically very expensive. The thirst for pearl jewelry has resulted in the rise of pearl cultivation. Nowadays, a cultured pearl is created when a microscopic object is deliberately inserted into a mollusc to mimic the small foreign object at the heart of every pearl. Cultured pearls fall into four main categories: Freshwater pearls, and Akoya, Tahitian and South Sea saltwater pearls.
Pearls are graded by color, lustre, surface clarity, size and shape.
The color of a pearl, or “body color”, is derived from the color of the mollusc shell so cultured pearls come in all the same colors as natural pearls.
Freshwater Multi-Color Cultured Pearl 18-inch Necklace
Freshwater cultured pearls are mostly white, but can be pink or rose tinted. Akoya cultured pearls range from cream to pastel pinkish white. Tahitian cultured pearls are typically darker, ranging from greyish green to the expensive and much in-demand black pearls.
South Sea pearls are white, silver, pink, gold, cream, or any combination of these, and often have an orient of rainbow colors displayed in the pearl nacre, making them particularly beautiful.
As color preference is subjective, there is no such thing as a bad body color. Some pearls have a secondary colour or overtone, or “orient”, which is actually a result of subtle iridescence and lends pearls much of their allure. The depth of a pearl’s orient is important in determining the value of a pearl.
A pearl’s lustre, or shininess, is generally associated with depth of nacre. Bigger pearls, with thicker nacre layers, typically have greater lustre. Bigger pearls also take a long time to form, making them rare and more valuable.
Pearls often have slight natural surface abrasions, which can be overcome by clever setting into pearl jewelry. However the higher a pearl’s natural surface clarity, the more valuable it will be.
Perfectly round pearls are exceptionally rare and so command higher prices. Natural freshwater pearls are generally baroque, slug, or wing shaped. Jewelers often use irregular baroque pearls as accents in pearl jewelry. Cultured freshwater pearls tend to be oval or slightly elongated, whereas cultured Akoya, Tahitian, and South Sea pearls used in pearl jewelry tend to be rounder.
Because pearls are porous, pearl jewelry must be donned after applying makeup, perfume etc to keep it looking good. However, the oils from skin keeps pearl jewelry moist and looking at its best so wearing pearl jewellery often will actually improve its appearance over time.
Shopping for classy and elegant pearl jewelry is easy because we have scoured the web and can recommend truly wonderful and high quality pearl jewelry at the most affordable prices. You are free to concentrate on choosing your perfect piece of pearl jewelry be it a classic pearl strand necklace, special pendant, stunning pearl ring or a fabulous pair of pearl earrings. Why not choose a matching set?
Pearls
Author: Elizabeth Henderson
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Tags: cultured, effortless style, heirloom, hot looks, hypo allergenic, jewellery, lifetime, pearl jewelry, pendant, perfect gifts, precious gemstones, rings, sophisticated taste, South Sea, spectacular designs, Tahitian | 
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