There are 7 major factors that determine the quality and value of a pearl: They are Luster, Perfection, Shape, Color, Size, Matching and Rarity. Luster - is the shine of the pearl. The luster of a pearl is determined by its nacre. The longer a pearl is left in the oyster, the thicker the nacre. Perfection - the fewer the surface blemishes the more expensive the pearl. Shape - the rounder and symmetrically balanced the pearl the more valuable it is. Color - Pearls are available in a rainbow of colors, e.g.: silvery white, pinkish, creamy, and black. The consistency of the color affects the value; however, fashion trends and color demands also affect prices. Size - Pearl diameter is measured in millimeters. Normally, the larger the pearl, the more rare it is and the more valuable. Matching - For pearl necklaces and bracelets, the overall consistency and look is very important. The more pleasing two or more pearls look together the more time and resources were spent matching the pearls. Rarity - Market supply and demand forces determine worldwide prices. Cultured pearls from Japan command a higher price than pearls from other regions. Our saltwater cultured pearls, from the prized Akoya oyster, are sourced directly from Japan. Grading System (10 = Perfect) "AAA Quality": Anything better would be our "Masterpiece Series": Luster (9), Perfection (9), Shape (9), Matching (10). "AA Quality": Very nice quality pearls: Luster (8), Perfection (8), Shape (9), Matching (9). "A+ Quality": Good quality and price: Luster (7), Perfection (8), Shape (9), Matching (9). Lengths Choker 14-16", a single-strand for any occasion. Princess 17-19", a single-strand for higher necklines. Matinee 20-24", a single-strand for day or evening wear. Opera 28-34", can be worn as a single-strand or doubled. Traditionally, brides have received pearls on their wedding day. Reflected in the pearl's lustrous glow is your love for her. And as the years pass, her love for you will radiate through the pearls you have given her. "The allure of the pearl is timeless and universal. Since the beginning of recorded history, the pearl has been extolled as a metaphor for life itself, for virtue and love, wisdom and justice, spirituality and righteousness. Always regarded as one of the rarest, most valuable and symbolic of all gems, its praises are sung by the great poets of every age; it is praised in every culture, from ancient China, India, Persia, Egypt, Greece and Rome, to the Mayan, Aztec and Incan cultures of the Americas, and even the ancient cultures of the South Pacific and Australia. The illustrious history of the pearl is unparalleled. Today's birthstone for June, the pearl has a history more ancient, more fascinating, more spiritual, and more regal than any other gem. The portrait collection's of the world's great museums most vividly illustrate the unrivalled reverence and prestige reserved for the pearl. Here, as one strolls through the generations, we can see that in every age, history's most illustrious men and women chose to be adorned in pearls for the images they wished to leave to posterity. What could more dramatically highlight the allure of the pearl than seeing that from among all of their riches, the pearl was the gem of choice. In the modern world fine pearls continue to evoke a sense of awe and wonder, perhaps even more so because of our understanding of how the pearl is actually created. For many, the pearl is seen as a very beautiful and poetic metaphor for life. In a world where we often wonder how we will survive the obstacles and stresses that threaten to overwhelm us, the pearl is an exquisite reminder that from something which might at first appear to be misfortune can come something of great beauty and value, something that would not otherwise have been created at all. For, as you will see, the pearl itself is something that would never have been created without adversity and struggle! And perhaps even more important, whether or not there will be a pearl at all, and the quality and beauty of the pearl, depend upon what the individual mollusc does to deal with the situation; not all molluscs in the same situation create a pearl, and of those that do, not all create something beautiful. And so it is in life." Excerpt is from The Pearl Book 3rd Edition: The Definitive Buying Guide: How to Select, Buy, Care for and Enjoy Pearls © 2002 by Antoinette Matlins P.G. (Woodstock, VT: GemStone Press). Permission granted by GemStone Press, P.O. Box 237, Woodstock, VT 05091 www.gemstonepress.com. The above book is an excellent guide to assist you in selecting high quality pearls and is available from theculturedpearl.com for $16.29, which includes free 3 day shipping within the United States. The $16.29 may be credited towards a purchase of $500 or more from www.theculturedpearl.com.
To order, please e-mail me at john@theculturedpearl.com Please bookmark our site and enjoy the following "ABC Good Morning America" investigational documentary on Pearls: "Perils of Pearl-Buying - Why Some Pearl Necklaces May Not Last" The following search engine may be used to find other books on Pearls: |