| |
| |
|
INFO - FULL .COM articles and information |
Since pearls are so rare and possess such a high degree of natural beauty, they have been considered to be among the most splendid of gems for many centuries.
The people of India and Persia (Iraq) were among the earliest to collect pearls, because of the rich fisheries of Ceylon and the Persian Gulf, the Indian and Persian princes in the last century, acquired huge collections of pearls that have never been equaled, these collections would be worth hundreds of millions of dollars today.
Pearls A Natural Wonder
Natural or real pearls are made by oysters and other mollusks. Cultured pearls also are grown by mollusks, but with human intervention; that is, an irritant introduced into the shells causes a pearl to grow. Imitation pearls are man-made with glass, plastic, or organic materials.
Because natural pearls are very rare, most pearls used in jewelry are either cultured or imitation pearls. Cultured pearls, because they are made by oysters or mollusks, usually are more expensive than imitation pears. A cultured pearl's value is largely based on its size, usually stated in millimeters, and the quality of its nacre coating, which give it luster. Jewelers should tell your if the pearls are cultured or imitation. Some black, bronze, gold, purple, blue and orange pearls, whether natural or cultured, occur that way in nature; some, however, are dyed through various processes. Jewelers should tell you whether the colored pearls are naturally colored, dyed or irradiated.
Clams, oysters, mussels and many other mollusks with limy shells are known to produce pearls. But very few kinds yield gem pearls of jeweler's quality. The pearl is an abnormal growth of mother-of-pearl, or nacre, imbedded in the soft bodies of these shellfish. It is built up, layer upon layer, in the same way as nacre is added to the lining of the growing shell and always has the same color and luster. For example, over the country, hundreds of good-sized pearls are found each year in the oysters we eat. Unfortunately these have no commercial value regardless of whether they have been cooked or not because they are dull opaque white or purple like the shell of the parent oyster. In recent times almost all pearls of gem quality come from the oriental pearl oyster which has a bright shimmering translucent nacre.
A pearl starts growing when some irritating foreign substance such as a sand grain, bit of mud, parasite or other object becomes lodged in the shell-producing gland called the mantle. Pearls formed in the soft flesh where nacre can be added on all sides are most likely to be spherical and the most highly prized. By far the great majority are flattened or variously distorted and have little value. Size, color, luster and freedom from flaws are other essential qualities. Unlike other gems, such as diamonds, pearls have an average life of only about 50 years. In time the small amount of water in a pearl's make-up is lost and its surface cracks. Because they are mostly lime, necklaces which are worn often are injured by the acid secretions of the human skin.
Though, the pearl is not technically a stone at all, it's beauty has earned it a place in the Big 5 of precious stones. Jewelry artists have long appreciated the pearl and continue to utilize its charm in their creations
Buying pearl jewelry can be fun, exciting and confusing. Whether you're considering a gift of pearl jewelry for someone special or as a treat for yourself, take some time to learn the terms used in the industry.
Pearl jewelry: pearl rings, pearl earrings, pearl necklace, pearl pendants and pearl bracelets are some of the most sought after jewelry creations. Your eyes tell you how beautiful a piece of pearl jewelry is, but how do you know you are getting your money's worth?
A little knowledge can go a long way to help you purchase a beautiful piece of pearl jewelry at a fair price.
When shopping for pearl jewelry online, apply these tips.
1. Shop with companies you know or do some homework before buying to make sure a company is legitimate before doing business with it.
2. Take advantage of information and referrals from an Internet company you have come to trust.
3. Get the details about the product, as well as the merchant's refund and return policies, before you buy.
4. Look for an address to write to or a phone number to call if you have a question, a problem or need help.
The pearl is the birthstone for the month of June.
Sam Serio is an Internet Marketer, musician and a writer on the subject of jewelry and gemstones. For more information on jewelry and gemstones, we cordially invite you to visit http://www.morninglightjewelry.com to pick up your FREE copy of "How To Buy Jewelry And Gemstones Without Being Ripped Off." This concise, informative special report reveals almost everything you ever wanted to know about jewelry and gemstones, but were afraid to ask. Get your FREE report at http://www.morninglightjewelry.com
Mt. Sinai Program Lets Some Pre-Meds Swap Orgo for Shakespeare Wall Street Journal (blog) As the New York Times reports, the Humanities and Medicine Program tells a select group of 35 undergrads per year that if they major in the humanities or ... Students with Humanities Background Equally Successful in Medical School as ... Med school admission sans hard science? Mount Sinai says it's so A Different Path to Medical School |
Arts and Entertainment Calendar, updated July 30 TCPalm Emerson Center Florida Humanities Series: Frank and Lisa Thomas. Emerson Center, 1590 27th Ave., Vero Beach, 7 pm, Dec. 2. ... |
The Guiding Wisdom of the Humanities Canada.com The lure of secure and lucrative employment has enticed students away from the humanities, from those courses in art, literature, history, philosophy and ... |
Diane Ravitch Named Fellow of The Dallas Institute of Humanities and Culture dBusinessNews Dallas (press release) Dallas - The Dallas Institute of Humanities and Culture has named Diane Silvers Ravitch, Ph.D., as a Fellow of the Institute. Ravitch is an historian of ... |
 Clyde Fitch Report (blog) | Could 1.49% Raise for the NEA Ignite Political War? Clyde Fitch Report (blog) Buck: The National Endowment for the Arts. The National Endowment for Humanities. Subsidies for many programs — we've got to look at privatizing some ... |
More Space, More Students for Donahue Academy's 4th Year The Ave Herald Dr. Guernsey said the school has hired faculty for three new positions created to accommodate the school's growth: high school humanities, which will be ... |
 Cape May County Herald | Free Screening of 'Yes Men Fix the World' Cape May County Herald By Herald Staff CAPE MAY — Thanks to a grant from the New Jersey Council for the Humanities, the Cape May Film Society is screening the film "The Yes Men ... |
Leverett's Chapel teacher attends humanities institute Kilgore News Herald “Humanities Texas was delighted to cosponsor 'Shaping the American Republic to 1877,'” said Executive Director Michael L. Gillette. ... |
 Quad-Cities Online | Davenport Civil Rights History Exhibit comes to Scott County Library Quad-Cities Online Funded by Humanities Iowa, several presentations are planned in conjunction with the exhibit. On September 9th at 6:30 pm, Scott Community College ... ARMSTRONG v. DAVENPORT CIVIL SERVICE COMMISSION |
UCSB breaks research funding record Pacific Coast Business Times Humanities programs, which often don't receive as many research funds, also garnered grants. A $315000 grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities ... Record-Breaking Research Funding |
| home | site map |
| © 2006 |