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Freshwater Cultured Pearls
Freshwater cultured pearls are produced under controlled conditions in
freshwater lakes. The shape of these pearls varies and can include: oval,
drop, button, circle (ringed), baroque (irregular) and round. Unlike the
saltwater cultured pearl, a piece of mantle tissue from the mussel is used
as an irritant to start the process of secreting the nacre. When the mantle
tissue decomposes, all that is left at the heart of the pearl is a small cavity.
The growth process takes up to 3 years. This procedure is less expensive than
producing a saltwater cultured pearl.
The Six Basic Characteristics of Pearls
The Gemological Institute of America (GIA) bases the value and beauty of pearls on their rating of six characteristics: luster (the deep-seated glow that seems to emanate from within the pearl and that results from the thickness of the nacre), nacre thickness, color, surface perfection, shape, and harmony (the overall appearance of pearls as they appear on a strand or a piece of multi-pearl jewelry).
Pearls are measured in millimeters. When Japanese cultured pearls first hit the market in the late 1920’s and early 1930’s, they were very small in size, usually 3 to 4mm.
Today, standard-sized pearls range from 5 to 7mm in diameter, which is approximately 1/4 of an inch. Pearls larger than 7mm are exponentially expensive. Pearls are the birthstone for the month of June. |
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The Difference in Our Pearl Jewelry
James Avery only uses pearls with a strong balance of shape, surface perfection and luster. All of our pearl necklaces are strung by hand to ensure a more durable strand.
Pearls naturally come in varying subtle shades of white as well as tones of cream, gray, green and pink. They also come in black.
We take care to closely match the pearls in our ear posts as well as each pearl in our strands with the color ranges available from the current harvest.
An occasional spot, blemish, or tiny pit is expected on something that comes from nature. Small blemishes are acceptable if they don’t detract from the beauty of the pearl. Since large, unsightly blemishes substantially reduce the value, we do not use pearls with large blemishes.
Care & Cleaning of Your Pearls
Pearls need special care. To ensure a long life, keep them away from cosmetics, hairspray and household chemicals. Use these products first, and then put on your pearls. When you take them off, wipe the pearls with a soft cloth. Store them separately from other jewelry to avoid scratches. Also, avoid strong blows or knocks. Have your pearl necklaces checked yearly for worn or broken strands or clasps. Ultrasonic cleaners or chemical dips can damage your pearls; we do not recommend that you use them.
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