Pearls and Pearl Jewelry

Pearl jewely is given as a symbol of love. Everyone seems to love the beauty of a strand of pearls. Pearl necklaces are classic pieces of jewelry that are treasured. Adding earrings or a bracelet to create pearl necklace sets is wonderful.

Though pearls are often thought to be only white, pink and black pearls are extremely stylish. If you want to follow the latest fashion trend, try colored pearl jewelry.

Pearl Necklaces Pearl and Diamond Necklaces Mikimoto Pearl Necklaces
Pearl Necklace Sets Pearl Earrings Pearl Bracelets Cultured Pearl Rings

Pearl Jewelry

Pearl Necklaces, Pearl Pendants, Pearl Earrings, Pearl Rings and Pearl Bracelets through Amazon Fresh Water Pearl, Cultured Pearl, White Pearl, Pink Pearl, and Black Pearl through Amazon Search Jewelry Mall Stores for Pearl

Pearl Jewelry Care & Where Books
Birthstones Anniversary Stone Lore Jokes
All Gemstone Information Birthstone Jewelry

Pearl is formed in shellfish as a reactant to an irritant such as a piece of sand. Cultured pearls are created by adding a piece of mussel or shell inside of an oyster of mussel. This then creates a pearl as layers of the inside of the shell grow over the added substance. Pearls are generally white, brown, silver, cream, black or pink depending on the type of shellfish and water. Pearl has a hardness of 3.

The price of pearls vary widely as a result of luster, size, how they were grown, color and type. Natural pearls are the most expensive, followed by cultured pearls. Fresh water pearls tend to be relatively inexpensive.

Some say rubbing a pearl against their teeth can determine whether a pearl is real or fake since fake ones will feel too smooth. Fake pearls will usually be either too heavy (inside is filled with glass) or too light (inside is plastic). The most reliable method of testing if a pearl is natural or cultured is a combination of the X-radiography and X-ray fluorescence testing procedures.

Pearls are less durable than most gems. They are sensitive to acids, dryness, and humidity. If you wear cosmetics and/or perfume, put these on before wearing your pearl jewelry. When taking off your pearls, wipe them with a dry, lint-free cloth. If needed, clean your pearls with warm soapy water being very careful to not get water into the drill hole as the pearl may discolor. Dry your pearls flat on an absorbant soft (preferably lint-free) towel.

Always store your pearl necklaces flat as the silk will stretch. Store pearl jewelry separately from other jewelry as they will scratch. Store pearls in a dry environment. Avoid using plastic bags (as moisture may get trapped and cause damage).

Reputable dealers will not use the following misleading terms. However, for your protection, I am listing them here:

"Roman pearls" are really glass bead pearls.

Natural Pearls have been harvested from the Red Sea, Gulf of Manaar, and the Persian Gulf. The coasts of Australia and Polynesia produce mostly cultured pearls. Fresh water pearls occur in many rivers in places such as: Austria, France, Scotland, Ireland, and the USA (Florida, Mississippi River, California, Delaware)

Actual Gem-related books:
• The Pearl Buying Guide - by Renee Newman
  How to evaluate, identify and select pearl jewelry.

• The Pearl Book: The Definitive Buying Guide: How to Select, Buy, Care for & Enjoy Pearls - by Antoinette L. Matlins
  Everything you need to buy beautiful pearls with confidence.

• Tiffany Pearls - by John Loring
  Beautifully illustrated, documentary on tiffany pearl jewelry deigns.

• The Pearl Buying Guide - by Fred Ward
  A book about how to buy this wonderful gem.

• The Book of the Pearl: The History, Art, Science and Industry of the Queen of Gems - by George Frdrick Kunz, Charles Hugh Stevenson
  Reprint of the work originally published by The Century Company in 1908.

  Bibliography:

• The Curious Lore of Precious Stones - by George Frederick Kunz
  The definitive book on fascinating, traditional gem lore. Very practical.

• Gemstones (Smithsonian Handbooks) - by Cally Hall, Harry Taylor (Photographer)
  A field guide to gemstones. Nice pictures and good, brief, well-written descriptions of over 130 varieties of gemstones.

• Gemisphere Luminary - by Michael Katz
  My favorite reference for the mystical properties of gemstones.

  Thanks to Amazon.com for fast, efficient, and reliable book processing

Pearl Jewelry Care & Where Books
Birthstones Anniversary Stone Lore Jokes
All Gemstone Information Birthstone Jewelry

• June: Modern and Ayurvedic Birthstone
• November: Mystical Birthstone
• Gemini (May 21-Jun 20): Birthstone
• Cancer (Jun 21-Jul 22): Birthstone
• Sagittarius (Nov 22-Dec 21): Lucky Charm

Fresh Water Pearl is the anniversary gemstone for the 1st year of marriage; Pearl is the anniversary gemstone for the 12th and 30th year of marriage.

Gemstone healers use pearl gems to help one love themselves and help improve their self-worth. Giving a loved one a gift of natural pearls is one of the most love-filled gifts one can give. It allows the wearer to feel the love of the person who gave them the pearls.

Pearls were once thought to be the tears of God

Pearl is often referred to as the "Queen Gem"; Diamond is referred to as the King Gem.

As an emblem of modesty, chastity and purity, the Pearl symbolizes beauty, love, success, and happiness. They often symbolize a happy marriage and in many countries are used as a wedding gift.

Legends has it that people living in the 13th century thought pearl would cure mental illness and broken hearts.

Tennessee Pearl is the US State Gemstone of Tennessee.

As the Japanese first introduced the mabe pearl, buyers were skeptical. They looked at the half pearl which seemed to have been split in two and asked: is this a pearl?
The Japanese answered in their heavy accent: ma-be

Pearl Jewelry Care & Where Books
Birthstones Anniversary Stone Lore Jokes
All Gemstone Information Birthstone Jewelry