How to buy a Pearl

By: Dana Halpert
Submitted: 2007-01-17 16:42:15
Print this article | Tell a friend | For publisher | Social Bookmarking
Rating:
 

A number of factors affect the appraisal of pearl quality. We recommend that customers learn the basics of selecting fine pearls to make pearl buying an enjoyable experience and to ensure a sound investment.

Pearls Size
Pearl size is mostly determined by two factors: the size of the implanted nucleus and the thickness of the nacre that grows layer upon layer around the nucleus. A large cultured pearl that lacks nacre thickness has a low value, and tends to discolor and crack fairly easily. A pearl with a thick nacre coating will retain its luster and beauty for a lifetime when properly cared for. For pearls of similar quality, the most important other determinant of price is the size of the pearl. The size is generally measured in millimeters.

Pearls Shape
Perfectly round cultured pearls are the rarest. Although most cultured pearls are nearly round, only about 1% is perfectly spherical. To check a strand for roundness, roll it across a flat surface. The strand should move evenly and smoothly.

Pearls Luster
Luster refers to the surface property that imbues cultured pearls with their shine and beauty. When checking pearls for luster, view them while standing with your back to a source of light. The sharper your reflection on the surface of the pearl, the higher is the luster and the better the quality.

Pearls Color
Pearls come in a variety of shades, with the major classifications being white, pink, silver, cream, gold, and black. Choice pearls also have a secondary color, or “overtone”, around the surface of the pearl. These overtones are usually rose, green or blue. The color should emanate from deep within the center of the pearl. All the pearls in a strand should be consistent in color.

Pearls Surface
Just as with any product of nature, all cultured pearls have minor imperfections. A quality cultured pearl is free of large pits or blemishes.

Akoya Pearls
Akoya pearls are cultivated using Pinctada Fukata oysters. Although most Akoya pearls are cultivated in Japan, they are also cultured in the tropical waters off the coast of Korea and China and southward as far as Sri Lanka. Akoya pearls are from two to ten millimeters in size, and their shape is typically round or off-round. Colors range from pink to white and yellow. Typically pearls are harvested after about eighteen months to three years of cultivation, reaching about 0.5 mm in diameter after eighteen months in the host oyster. Akoya pearls are renowned for their high luster and rich color.

Tahitian Black Pearls
Tahitian Black pearls are cultivated from Pinctada Margaritifera oysters (black lip oysters) found in French Polynesian waters. Black South Sea pearls come in a wide range of colors from silver / gray, blue, and red / eggplant to dark green, with peacock being the most valuable. Cultivation time averages about two years. Tahitian pearls have long been highly prized by many cultures for their exotic colors and brilliant luster.

To learn more about Pearls, visit the leading diamond jewelry store – http://www.DiamondSafe.com

Dana Halpert dana@compucall.co.il Compucall - Web marketing http://www.compucall-usa.com

Article source: Expert Articles

Most Recent Articles in Shopping category

  • 3 Year Old Toys - Learning with fun - By: Kilian Allen
    The age of three is a vital period in a youngster's growth process. It is during this time that a toddler starts going to school and getting ready to face the world.
  • 2 Year Old Toys - Learning with games - By: Garret Lloyd
    Two year age is a vital period for toddlers. Things that they learn at this stage of life often stay in their memories throughout their lifetime.
  • 1 Year Old Toys - Not just a child's play - By: Garret Lloyd
    Toys play a very important role in a child's mental growth during the early years. As a toddler, a one-year old is likely to spend a lot of time playing with toys every day.
  • Choosing the Thickness of Laminating Pouches for Your Documents - By: Jeff McRitchie
    Using a pouch laminator and some laminating pouches it is incredibly simple to create high quality laminated signs, luggage tags, name tags, visual aids and identification pieces. All you need to do is insert the material that you want to laminate into the pouch, insert the both into the carrier and then run the carrier through your laminator. All this is very simple if you have the right pouches for your job. This article is designed to provide information that will help you choose the right thickness of laminating pouch for your documents.
  • Choosing The Right Size Of Paper Shredder For Your Office - By: Jeff McRitchie
    Does your office have a paper shredder? Are you considering purchasing one? Now days, almost every office has a shredding machine (or should have one). If your office is one of the few that doesn't have one, or if you need to upgrade then you are going to need to pick the right size and capacity to fit the needs of your office. This article will help you understand some of the things that you should consider when deciding on the size of shredder that will best suit your needs.
  • Choosing the Right Rotary Trimmer for Your Cutting Needs - By: Jeff McRitchie
    Buying a paper cutter can be confusing. There are literally hundreds of models and a bunch of different types of cutters that are available on the market. One type of paper cutter is the rotary trimmer. These trimmers use a sharp wheel to cut documents in a straight line and are popular for producing craft projects, trimming lamination and scrapbooking. However, understanding which rotary trimmer might best fit your needs can be difficult. This article will provide you with five things to consider when choosing a rotary trimmer.
  • Choosing the Right Ream Cutter or Stack Cutter for Your Officess - By: Jeff McRitchie
    Cutting large documents or large amounts of paper can be difficult. Traditional guillotine cutters are only capable of cutting a few sheets at a time (up to 30 at the most). Rotary trimmers have the same problem. They can only cut ten or less pages at a time. If you need to cut a whole stack of sheets, face trim a perfect bound book or even slice a whole ream of paper in half you will need a stack cutter (also called a ream cutter). Here are a few things to consider when choosing a stack cutter.
  • Choosing the Right Electric Paper Cutters - By: Jeff McRitchie
    If you are in the market for an electric paper cutter you have probably noticed that there a ton of options available. In fact you can spend as little as a couple thousand dollars and as much as hundreds of thousands of dollars. What is the difference? How do you know what cutter will be right for your needs? This article is designed to provide you with some quick tips for determining the right electric paper cutter for your company's needs. Here are a few things to consider...
  • Telescope Shopping Tips From an Experienced Astronomer - By: Richard Pickering
    Telescopes are popular gifts for Christmas, birthdays or other occasions ... but buyer beware! Many people live to regret their telescope purchasing decisions, either because they bought a cheap telescope that underperforms, or because they paid far too much for a telescope they rarely use. But armed with the right advice, smart shoppers can buy a good quality telescope for just a few hundred dollars.
  • Books: True friends for every one - By: Kell Maria
    Online book stores are platforms where people can go for buying and selling books. Its a place where any one can aware themselves regarding books, best sellers, reading materials etc.