Pearl - June Birthstone

Redmond Diamond Center • Jun 09, 2017
Pearls are unique in the gemstone world, as they are the only gems from living sea creatures and require no faceting or polishing to reveal their natural beauty. Natural pearls are formed inside pearl oysters in freshwater or saltwater. Natural pearls are rare and expensive, due to environment changes which reduce their numbers as well as the dangers of harvesting them. Cultured pearls are grown and harvested using maritime farming methods both in fresh and salt water, to the same level of quality. Natural pearls are found in the Persian Gulf, Australia, Sri Lanka, the Philippines and Japan. Cultured pearls are in wider use, mostly in Japan.

Pearls have been wildly popular spanning many cultures for several thousand years. No one knows when the first pearls were found, or by who, but they have been adored by mankind for thousands of years for their shine and soft, milky appearance.
Pearls have been known as a favorite among royals throughout the ages. Finding natural pearls at sea has always been rare, and so they came to symbolize opulence and status.

During the time of Julius Caesar only royalty wore jewelry set with pearls, and they were used as prestigious hair ornaments during the Renaissance. Pearls, much like diamonds, are subject to grading according to their size, luster, shape, color and clarity.

Because pearls are natural organic substances, they occur in a wide variety of shapes, many of which are quite unique and interesting. Every pearl has a slightly different shape. The round pearls you most commonly see are by no means the only shape in which pearls are found! Indeed, perfectly round pearls are actually quite rare. This is because the eventual shape of the pearl is determined by a number of highly variable factors, which occur inside the oyster as the pearl is developing.
The most familiar colors are white and cream (a light yellowish brown). Black, gray, and silver are also fairly common, but the palette of pearl colors extends to every hue.

How to take care of your pearls jewelry?

Pearls should be kept in a cloth – preferably silk – satchel, and should avoid contact with sharp metals or gems, which may cause surface abrasions.

It is also advised to keep pearls from coming into contact with perfume, makeup and detergents, which may dull their luster. Pearls cannot be worn while bathing or exercising. It is also best to clean pearls with a gentle cloth after they have been worn, to remove any potentially harmful residue.

Pearls are usually threaded on silk, with a small, separating knot between them, to avoid both abrasions and the chances of losing them, in the event of a necklace tearing. The silk thread should be periodically replaced.
 
Pearl jewelry are classy, elegant, and affordable, making the perfect gift for any occasion.

To learn more about pearls read here: https://www.gia.edu/pearl-description
Share by: