Care of Pearls

The simple way to know the originally of Pearls vs. imitations :

By looking at the shapes & colors
The original Pearls have an ellipse shape and irregular shapes and also has natural color. While the imitation pearls have a round shape with a variety color and have a slick surface, shiny and light

Rub the pearl on the glass
The original Pearls are not chafed/deformity if rubbing on glass, but it will leave some trace like chalk on the glass

Rub
Rub it on the outer teeth The original Pearls will be felt like sands or rough white the imitation pearls will be slick

Burn
The original Pearls won't be burned if burning, while the imitation Pearl will be burned and melted, because it was made from plastic.


To take care of Pearls :

1. Avoid the Pearls from chemical substance, alcohol and perfume because it will affect to the sparkle of pearls and pearls decay. Try to wear it at the last

2. Clean the pearls in water with a soft soap or baby soap then wipe with soft towel after wear

3. Save in the Save Deposit Box separated from the other jewelries like diamonds in order to save it from scratch.

To determine Pearl's worth

To determine a pearl’s worth

To an standard eye, many pearls may look quite similar. There is, to the contrary, an intricate hierarchy to pearls and several factors exist that determine a pearls worth.

Luster and size are generally considered the two main factors to look for. Luster for instance, depends on the fineness and evenness of the layers. The deeper the glow, the more perfect the shape and surface, the more valuable they are. Moreover, if you can see a reflection of your face clearly by gazing into the pearl, that’s a high quality luster. The foggier the reflection, the less valuable the pearl.

Size on the other hand, has to do with the age of the oyster that created the pearl (the more mature oysters produce larger pearls) and the location in which the pearl was cultured. The South Sea waters of Australia tend to produce the larger pearls; probably because the water along the coast line is supplied with rich nutrients from the ocean floor. Also, the type of mussel common to the area seems to possess a predilection for producing comparatively large pearls.

Today, if you want real pearls, you will probably have to purchase the cultured variety. Natural pearls (those made without man’s assistance) have become so rare and expensive, that for the vast majority of people cultured is the only option. However, top quality natural and cultured pearls are identical to the naked eye in terms of appearance and quality. Only under an X-ray machine can a trained eye discern any difference. Cultured pearls tend to have a larger core or nucleus. But, in all other respects, they are identical.

Interestingly, the best cultured pearls are those that come from an oyster that dies after the pearl is removed. Oysters that do not die after the pearl has been extracted produce what are referred to as “Biwa” pearls. Generally but not always, Biwa pearls fetch a lower price than the impending death variety.

Pearls also come in many colors. The most popular colors are whites, creams, and pinks. Silver, black, and gold are also gaining increasing interest. In fact, a deep lustrous black pearl is one of the more rare finds in the pearling industry, usually only being found in the South Sea near Australia. Thus, they can be one of the more costly items.

Among cultured pearls, Akoya pearls from Japan are some of the most lustrous. A good quality necklace of 40 Akoya pearls measuring 7mm in diameter sells for about $1,500, while a super- high quality strand sells for about $4,500.(5) The South Sea pearls of Australia, Myanmar, and Indonesia are rarer and larger, with diameters of 10 to 20mm, and cost far more even though they tend to be less lustrous. A 16 inch strand of white South Sea pearls retail for $40,000 to $50,000.(6)

The world record for the highest price paid for a cultured pearl necklace was $2.3 million at Sotheby’s in 1992. The 17-inch strand had 23 pearls with diameters ranging from 16 to 20mm (about the diameter of a dime), with a bead-shaped platinum clasp with 60 round diamonds.(7)