Pearl Necklaces - Timeless Style Jewellery Collection

Pearls are among the oldest known gemstones in existence, and even before diamonds were discovered pearls have been used by tribals for buying and selling goods. Today pearls are available in a variety of jewellery from necklaces to earrings. Add classic style of pearl necklaces to your jewelry collection is a good choice.

In fact the appeal of pearls lies in that they are elegant and go with almost any type of dress. From formal wear to wedding dresses pearls have a way of blending in effortlessly with almost any dress. In fact the reason why pearls are truly timeless is because pearls never have a ‘bling bling’ effect like gold and diamonds.

As a family heirloom pearls have been handed down from generation to generation for a long time now, and it is a matter of pride for a woman to receive her mother’s pearl sets. Pearls are classified based on their colour, origin and size. There are two basic types of pearls based on their origin. The first type is natural pearls; these are pearls that are extracted from oysters that are not cultivated in oyster farms. Usually natural pearls are not as big as cultivated pearls and a perfect natural pearl is very difficult to find. This is the reason why natural pearls are expensive and are a matter of pride for many women. Today a strand of matched natural pearls can cost upwards of $1 million.

Cultured Pearls are cheaper and are also larger in size when compared to natural pearls. In fact the reason why natural pearls are so expensive is that one has to search through a thousand oysters to find a perfect natural pearl. Today a majority of pearl based jewellery is made from cultured pearls, as natural pearls are expensive and are also much rarer. Pink pearls are very rare in nature and are usually cultivated.

If you are looking to buy pearl jewellery make sure you understand the origin of the pearls and also the quality of the pearl based on its size, colour and also the craftsmanship that has gone into making the necklace. Since not all pearls are the same size, a well crafted necklace usually has pearls that are matched so that the size difference is almost negligible.



Natural Pearls vs. Cultivated Pearls


Cultivated pearls are far more impressive in terms of size and colour. If you are looking for a jewellery set that can make a lasting impression, then cultivated pearls sets are a much better option. At the end of the day it all boils down to your individual taste and choice nonetheless both natural and cultivated pearls are truly timeless.



Before buying a pearl necklace, you should know something about cultured pearls. According to the Cultured Pearl Association, Pearls are judged by the following qualities:

1. Luster - Luster is both the shininess of the pear's surface and its inner glow. If you can clearly see your reflection in the pearl's surface, the pearl is of high quality.

2. Surface - No pearl is completely without blemishes - after all, it's a product of nature - but its value increases with its smoothness.

3. Shape - Most people think of pearls as being perfectly round, although no pearl is perfectly symmetrical. Generally, though, the closer a pearl is to achieving perfect roundness, the more valuable it is.

4. Color - Although we think of "pearly whites," cultured pearls actually come in many different colors, including rose, gold, and cream. The color you choose depends upon your preference.

5. Size - Pearl sizes, measured in millimeters according to their diameters, range from seed pearls (less than one millimeter) to huge South Sea pearls (20 millimeters or more). Pearl necklaces can consist of pearls all the same size, or of pearls that increase in diameter from each end, with the largest pearls in the center of the necklace.


Article Source: http://www.article-gems.com/
Kevin Canning is the author of this article on Pearls. Find more information about Pearl Jewelry here.

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