Monday, August 24, 2009

Finding the right Pearl Jewelry

Picking out your own Pearl can be exciting. Here are some things to help:

Saltwater vs. Freshwater Pearls
- Main 3 species of saltwater
- Akoya Oyster
- Black-lipped Oyster
- Silver-lipped / Gold-lipped Oyster
- Common freshwater pearl producing mollusks
- Wrinkle Shell or River Shell
- Triangle Shell
- Washboard

Natural vs. Cultured Pearl
A pearl is formed when a foreign object enters the mollusk and is coated with layers to prevent irritation. Cultured pearls are formed when the foreign object is placed by humans.

Looking at Pearls for Pearl Jewelry you want to look at at:
- Shape
- Surface Quality (imperfections, blemishes)
- Color