|
|
The shapes of freshwater pearls. |
|
When Freshwater Pearls are nucleated with a round bead, a high percentage of these will grow round or near round pearls.
Most freshwater pearls are not nucleated.
Because of the Pearl Farmers efforts,
the percentage of spherical pearls has become very high,
but still now only a few pearls are actually Round.
- Stick (Biwi): freeform long skinny flat pearl, can be tip, side, long or center drilled
- Round or Semi Round: pearls that are round(ish) but not as off as a potato.
- Rice: a nice small oval shape drilled lengthwise.
- Potatos: these range from almost perfectly round to what we call elliptical. With the lumpy shape associated with the Potato.
- Elliptical: is a plump oval shape drilled the short way.
- Button: a rondell or wheel shape which is drilled through the center like a tire for an axle. Often these pearls will have one edge that is flatter than the other.
- Side Drilled: these have an unique quality of asymmetry with one very flat side. They are interestingly not uniform and allow for many design combinations.
- Top Drilled: a tear drop shaped pearl with the hole in the point so the pearl hangs like a drop.
- Coin: are pearls that looks like a dime or nickel that has been drilled through the edge long ways.
- Faceted: any of the above shapes cut with facets aftert they have been harvested.
|
|
Fresh Water Vs. Saltwater pearls.
Because of their beauty Pearls have been used in virtually every culture.
Pearls have earned their status as a wealth;
they have even been used as currency.
The most valued pearls are the roundest,
largest and most lustrous pearls.
Japanese Akoya saltwater
pearls are some of the
best pearls in the world.
Freshwater pearls are the product of mussels that inhabit freshwater lakes and rivers.
If freshwater pearls were as nice as saltwater pearls, they would be as
valuable, but they are not.
Irregular shapes and unusual color characterize freshwater pearls.
Supply and demand also contributes to the value of pearls.
There is a surplus of Freshwater pearls available each year unlike Saltwater pearls.
This means that freshwater pearls are more affordable.
Freshwater pearls are used in most fashion and bridge jewelry.
To find out more about pearls please visit our Pearl Information Pages.
|
|
Pearls come in a rainbow of designer colors, which fall into four general categories.
- Natural: : which include pink, peach, mauve, white, cream, and some grays.
- Dyed: if it does not look natural and the string is the same color as the pearl it is a good bet its been dyed, many of these colors include teal, blue, purple, odd shades of pink, yellow, green, taupe, and brown.
- Chemically Treated: it is hard to determine which pearls have been chemically treated to change there color, in most cases the strings are discolored but this could also represent a dye bath, this process is used mainly for the darker colors such as grays, peacocks, browns and gold.
- Irradiated: unfortunately because the coloring of pearls is a well guarded secret in Japan (China sends most of the pearls to be colored to Japan) we do not know exactly which colors are irradiated though it is usually the darker colors which could also be produced chemically. The myth that irradiated pearls cause cancer may be just that, as there has been no proof of any specific incidents.
Fresh Water Pearls come in a wide variety of colors but just assume that most pearls have been dyed, bleached or altered in some way.
All of the colors seem to be permanent, although it is suggested that you wash dyed pearls before you use them to be sure that any residue has been cleaned away. Many times the dye is caught in the holes, since the pearls are strung before being colored, and this could come out during restringing. Warm water and a mild soap like Ivory is all you need, leave them strung, gently swish in water or just soak for a while and then let hang to pearls air dry.
To find out more about pearls please visit our Pearl Information Pages.
|
Report A Bug / Request a Product or Feature
