Caring for Pearls to Keep Them Lustrous...

Once you've selected your pearls, proper care is required to protect their lustrous beauty so you can pass your treasure on to future generations.

1.  Store pearls in separate pouches to prevent scratching of the surface

     by sharp metal edges, prongs or harder stones.

2.  Avoid contact with vinegar, ammonia, chlorine bleach, ink, hairspray, perfume

     and any type of cosmetics.

3.  Wipe pearls gently with a damp soft cloth after each wearing.  This will remove

     body oils and perspiration, which are particularly harmful to the pearls color.

4.  Periodic washing is recommended.  Wrap pearls in a thin clean cotton cloth

     to dry.

5.  Avoid storing pearls in excessively dry places or extreme heat.

6.  Re-string pearls periodically.

7.  Remove pearls prior to doing strenuous exercise or working outdoors.

Types of Pearls

Wild Pearls - All of the pearls in jewelry stores around the world are cultured.(except for the ones in museums)

Cultured Pearls - Freshwater Pearls – (China 95%) and Seawater Pearls: regular saltwater pearls:(Chinese Seawater Pearls, Vietnamese Seawater Pearls, Japanese Seawater Pearls).

South Sea Pearls - Australia South Sea Pearls, Indonesia South Sea Pearls, Black Tahitian Pearls

How to Test Real Pearls

1.  Tooth Test: Rub your pearls lightly against the edge of your front teeth.  The  

     real pearls should feel “gritty or sandy.”  The fake ones feel smooth.

2.  Rub Test:  Rub two pearls together.  The real pearls should feel “gritty.”  Fake

    pearls will slide over each other smoothly.

3.  Touch Test:  Real pearls should feel “cool” to the touch.

4.  Scrape Test:  Gently scrape with scissors a small surface of the pearl.  The real

    pearl’s interior should be the same as the pearl powder.  The fake ones will reveal

    a dull, plastic core.

How to Tell the Different Quality of Pearls:

1.   Lustre: 

The luster is considered the most determining factor when choosing a pearl. This is because luster hinges on the thickness, fineness, smoothness and transparency of nacreous layer.

2.   Thickness of pearl layer: 

The thickness of nacreous layer affects the durability and appearance of pearl.

3.   Shape: 

The shape of pearls fall into several major categories which include round、 oval, teardrop, semi-baroque, and baroque.  The regular round shape is the traditional desirable shape.  However there are many options to utilize irregular-shaped pearls in appealing designs … and they have grown significantly in popularity in the last few years. 

4.   Blemish: 

The pearl with a fine and smooth outer appearance is rated “excellent.”   In fact, this type of pearl is rare.  But if the blemish is not noticeable or visible with the naked eye,  and it does not impair the artistic attraction, it should be deemed a passable one.

5.   Color and Overtone: 

Both color and overtone are deciding factors that have to be taken into account when appraising pearl quality.  Apart from the color of the pearl itself, overtone is the iridescence of the pearl.  A pearl with overtone is a more desired look.

6.   Size: 

Size matters.  The larger the size, the higher the value.

7.   Structure and Color Coordination:  The matching of pearls to form a strand is critical to the valuation of the strand. 

The 7 factors above are taken into consideration when appraising a strand of pearls.  It is very rare to match all 7 categories, except for very expensive strands. 

Info borrowed from AmyLin’s Pearls & Jewelry website … 

www.amylinspearls.com  

PEARL SIZES

PEARL SHAPES