March 3, 2010
Swot Up On Pearl FAQ Share The In-Depth Knowledge
If you’re thinking of buying some beautiful pearl jewellery, whether it’s a pearl necklace or you want to buy pearl earrings, chances are you’ll find it hard to know where to begin due to the vast pearl ranges out there. For those interested in buying pearls, or for gem enthusiasts who wish to learn more, here are answers to some of the most commonly asked questions about pearls.
Can You Buy Various Colours Of Tahitian Pearls?
Not only are Tahitian cultured pearls not exclusively black, they’re also not grown in Tahiti. Tahitian pearls are also bought in colours other than black, such as blue, green and grey. And they’re grown in the lagoons of small islands that are part of a group known as French Polynesia.
Tell Me The Difference In Cultured And Natural Pearl Earrings.
Natural pearls are formed when an irritant, such as a parasite, makes its way into a pearl-producing animal such as an oyster or mollusc. To protect itself, the animal coats the irritant in nacre - a combination of organic substances that also makes up what we call mother of pearl. People are often surprised to learn that this process takes a very long time – sometimes years – and that’s why your natural pearl jewellery is so special.
When it comes to cultured pearls, they are formed in the same way, but with man’s input rather than nature’s. Man’s input is such that he will place something inside the oyster which speeds up the pearl-making process. Once this is completed, pearls will then get made into jewellery and people like you and I can buy pearl earrings.
Saltwater Pearls Vs Freshwater Pearls
It depends on who you ask, but many pearl experts today agree that freshwater cultured pearls can rival the beauty of their saltwater cousins. Due to improvements in culturing techniques, freshwater pearl farmers are producing beautiful, round, lustrous pearls that are a vast improvement over the wrinkled, rice-krispie-shaped gems that typified the freshwater pearl crop of the not-so-distant past.
With so many colours to choose from, freshwater cultured pearls are now the best option for people who like to express themselves through colourful jewellery. Lavender is an on-trend colour option for pearl fans at the moment. For others, it is the appeal of white pearls which makes them purchase. Black freshwater cultured pearls are treated with dye or heat to produce their inky colour.
You definitely get more value for money with freshwater pearls. You can buy pearl earrings in any colour you like, as long as you have the cash to splash.
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Filed under Womens World by ckahuna