There are so many different varieties of pearls out there in the world and it’s sometimes difficult to tell them apart. It starts with the basics; pearls are either freshwater or saltwater, obviously depending on where they are grown and harvested. The various types of pearls get broken down from there. Among the known types of pearls are Tahitian Pearls and Akoya Pearls.  Among the lesser known types of pearls are the South Sea, Cortez and Keshi pearls. They are all different and unique in their own ways.

The South Sea pearl is among the largest in the world with an average size of about 13mm. The actual oysters these pearls are harvested from are also massive in size. They can grow to be 12 inches in diameter and produce pearls anywhere from 9mm to 20mm in size. Unlike akoya oysters which can accept more than one nucleation, the South Sea pearl oyster can only accept one nucleation at a time.

There are a few reasons why South Sea pearls are so large compared to other pearls. The large size of the actual oyster is the first reason for the large pearl size. Because the oyster is so large, it allows for more room for the pearl to develop. The second reason for large pearl size is the size of the implanted bead. The bead that the oyster is implanted with is much larger than that of other cultured pearls. This large original bead implant causes the oyster to deposit nacre around the nucleus at a much quicker rate than other oysters. Environment is another reason why South Sea pearls get to be so large. They live in warm clean water that is filled with plankton - plankton helps speed up nacre produciton.

There are a few characteristics of South Sea pearls that make them so unique. Besides being a generally large stone, they have unusually thick nacre. Typically, an akoya pearl has a nacre of 0.35mm to 0.7mm while a South Sea pearl has nacre ranging from 2-6mm. Therefore they are hard and more durable than other pearls. South Sea pearls also have a unique satiny luster caused by the warm waters of their habitat. South Sea pearls also have a very beautiful array of colors like white, silver and gold that are rare in other pearls.

Another lesser known pearl is the Cortez pearl. Cortez pearls come from the warm waters of the Gulf of California and are one of Mexico’s prized gemstones. Cortez pearls come from two different species of oysters – the “Panamic Black-Lipped Oyster” and the “Rainbow-Lipped Oyster”. These oysters produce very unusual colors and a gorgeous iridescence unique to the Cortez pearl. It is worth the 2 year wait to produce these beautiful pearls.

Cortez pearls typically range in size from about 8mm to 14mm and have nacre about 0.8mm to 2.3mm thick. Like the South Sea pearls, Cortez pearls are hard and more durable than their more classic counterparts. The shape of the Cortez pearl is unique. Most Cortez pearls tend to be Baroque in shape, or irregular. Cortez pearls can be round or near-round in shape but this is a very small percentage of any harvest. Color is another reason why these pearls are so loved. They have an intense rainbow-like opulence with colors ranging from cool whites to silver, bronze and black. The black Cortez pearls often have a “peacock” appearance with overtones of green, purple blue and gold.

Another of the lesser known pearls is the Keshi pearl. These pearls can be either freshwater or saltwater which is a rare characteristic. The way that Keshi pearls are created is an interesting process. When an oyster rejects and implanted nucleaus before the culturing process begins, a Keshi pearl is created. The pearl sacs eventually create a pearl without a nucleus. There is no nucleus to guide the growth and development of the Keshi pearl, so they are usually small and irregular in shape.

Keshi pearls, because of their origin, are 100% nacre. This causes the pearls to have a very high luster and come in a wide variety of colors. Many times, a Keshi pearl has a greater luster than the highest quality cultured pearls. When pearl farming began, Keshi pearls were abundant and created very unique pieces of jewelry. Keshi pearls are much rarer today because most pearl farms x-ray their oyster - so an oyster containing a Keshi pearl is tossed out to make room for an oyster that will produce a traditional pearl. Their unpredictable shape is one of the most wonderful things about a Keshi pearl. This irregular shape paired with a wide variety of colors from white to ivory, gold and black allows jewelers to create some truly unique pieces of jewelry.

When you look into the history books, whenever early man discovered a new plant or mineral it was typically used for medicinal purposes. The discovery and use of the pearl was no different. When pearls were first discovered over 4000 years ago, they were not only for decorative purposes but could be ground into powder and used to cure illnesses.

Several ancient cultures believed that pearls had amazing curative properties. These properties could be channeled by simply wearing pearls or by using the powder of a ground up pearl. The powder was an ingredient in potions, balms, and salves that were used to treat a wide range of ailments. Ancient China is the country with the most documented use of pearls medicinally. Typically, pearl powder was taken internally or applied topically. Pearl powder is still used today in medicines by pharmaceutical companies.

When taken internally, pearls are said to beautify and clear the skin, detoxify the system, relieve stress, calm the nervous system, regulate the metabolism, energize the body and even improve eyesight. Pearls are also legendary for their use on the skin. Pearls are known to keep skin smooth, soft and lustrous. Pearls have also been used in the treatment of cuts, burns and as a cure for fever. While these claims come from ancient Chinese history, you can still buy pearl powder today.

Pearl powder is typically created with pearls that are not of a high enough quality to be made into jewelry. Freshwater pearls are the typical pearls used to create this powder. The pearls are ground down into a fine powder to be used either for internal medicines or topical creams. Pearl powder has many amino acids and minerals that are good for the body and is also high in calcium. It is believed that all of these elements can help strengthen bones and increase collagen production, giving people a younger looking appearance.

In the 13^th century, the wealthy were said to have used pearls to help cure melancholy. It was believed that pearls could cure sadness because it had the ability to remove all impurities from the blood. Pearls are actually composed of alkaline and calcium which, when used correctly, can truly help to calm an upset stomach or sooth nerves. Pearls are more common in Asian medicine than in the Western markets.

There are many more myths about the medicinal purposes of pearls that do not include applying or ingesting pearl powder. It has been said that placing a pearl underneath a pillow can help a couple to conceive a child. Wearing pearls have been believed to cure madness, cure depression in women and treat jaundice. There is even a legend that says placing a pearl in the navel can cure stomach illnesses.

All of the information out there about how pearls can be used medicinally is a product of myth and history; none of it has been approved by the FDA. In a time when people are becoming more in tune with the environment and there is more awareness about natural healing, pearls are an intriguing option. The beauty and luster of pearls have drawn attention for years - it is no surprise that people believe their beauty can enhance the body as well.

Pearls are just really lovely, aren't they?  They are like these small things wound to become something bigger and greater. A s simple as a single pearl, it becomes a rather great jewelry when woven with a number of others.

Pearls will be pearls. So like a duckling growing into a fine swan, how do South Sea Pearls become those round, clean and high in luster pearls? Well, man can oftentimes be very nosy, and bringing creativity in the equation, they interfere with nature, and hence the origination of these highly regarded gemstones.    Farmers, with a mother of pearl bead in hand, implant them into oysters that are then irritated with the intrusion and deposit substances in concentric layers, and accordingly become the South Sea Pearl we now know of. Usually, these  farmers are very much hopeful that  what they will be harvesting will be this perfectly shaped pearl as its paragon. Although chances of this are rarer than South Sea oysters, they usually are happy of their harvests, especially since formation of pearls are rare as they come. Although chances of this are rarer than South Sea oysters, they usually are happy of their harvests, especially since formation of pearls are rare as they come.  

Similar to other pearl jewelry, they come in different varieties, as they come in varying colors, as white, cream, silver, gold, black and taints of colored ones.  Naturally, they are known to grow bigger than the regular pearls. Unlike plenty other saltwater pearls, they become larger in sizes primarily because the mother of pearl bead implanted in the mollusks are already large. This happens primarily because of the implants of the bead already big.

When it comes to size, South Sea oysters are regarded as the largest that can grow pearls. And because of this, South Sea Pearls grow much larger due to the room or space where in can grow.

Like other freshwater pearls, it takes time to cultivate them.  These accordingly are known to be well cultivated in countries within and around South East Asia region like the Indonesian Archipelago, Philippines, Myanmar, Thailand, Japan and Australia.

Pearls are, indeed, very lovely. And as small things becoming bigger and greater, they are made so because there is the convergence of nature and nurture. Man giving a hand to how these pearls become what they are, South Sea Pearls is a common example of merging man's interference with the process of nature. Isn't that such a beauty?

Most people when they imagine a pearl are picturing perfect large round spherical gems, with an iridescent creamy white appearance. The reality is that pearls are usually irregular in shape, each one is different and to find one that is completely round is almost unheard of, let alone a whole string that are all identical. Natural pearls are the rarest and most highly valued variety, but nowadays most pearl jewellery is made from cultured or farmed pearls, which are grown on pearl farms across the world by inserting a bead nucleus inside an oyster or mussel shell to encourage the formation of a pearl. Apart from whether a pearl is cultured or natural the main difference is between saltwater and freshwater pearls, which both have their own different properties.

Saltwater pearls are found in pearl oysters which live in the ocean, and produce the classic round white or cream pearls that have remained so desirable and sought after throughout history. Cultured saltwater pearls are more likely to be round than those from freshwater molluscs because they are usually formed by artificially placing a rounded nucleus inside the oyster's shell to enhance the shape. The popular Japanese Akoya pearl is a cultured saltwater pearl and is much sought after for its large size and relatively regular shape, meaning that this type usually costs more than cultured freshwater pearls. It is still possible to find natural saltwater pearls in the ocean, but they are much less common nowadays due to pollution in the seas.

The most common type of pearl available today are freshwater pearls, which are mostly produced in China using freshwater mussels and come in a huge variety of shapes, sizes and colours. The natural colours of freshwater pearls are various shades of white, pink, cream and lilac but they are available as jewellery dyed in every colour of the rainbow. It is easier to farm freshwater pearls than saltwater, and for this reason they are slightly cheaper to buy, although less likely to be perfectly round or to find enough to make a whole string of the exact same size and colour.

Pearls come in many shapes and sizes whether they are real or not, and it’s not always easy to tell the difference between the genuine article or a fake. Even amongst genuine pearls there are many different classes of both natural and cultured varieties, all with their own different properties and all valued very differently as pearl jewellery. You don't want to be fooled when buying pearls, so here are a few ways to help differentiate between real pearls, whether they are natural or cultured, and fakes

The Tooth Test
It’s said that if you rub a pearl against the biting edge of your front teeth, the texture of the surface will tell you whether or not it is genuine. Genuine pearls usually have a rougher, more irregular texture in contrast to imitation pearls which are usually very smooth or even glassy. In reality this test is far from foolproof, as fakes are often made to appear completely genuine and cultured pearls in particular can often be very smooth, especially if they are dyed.

The Sun Test
A slightly more reliable method is to take the pearls out in the sun and look closely at the lustre, or iridescence, that you see on the surface. Apart from extremely unusual and rare specimens, genuine pearls won’t be perfectly matched under the sun and have clear differences in shine, iridescence and colour.

Surface Magnification
Don’t underestimate the power of a magnifying glass – a closeup look at the pearl earrings, necklace or brooch can tell you a lot, and is one of the most effective ways of distinguishing between genuine and fake pearls. The surface of a real pearl is crossed with hundreds of tiny almost invisible crooked lines, giving them an almost scaly look under magnification. Whilst there you could also take a look at the small drill holes at either end of the pearl, which are normally as small as possible in a real pearl as the gems are valued by their weight. Real pearls usually have holes drilled from either end, so the hole is much smaller in the middle of the pearl.

Shape
One of the most obvious ways to identify real pearl sets is to look closely at the shape of each pearl and whether or not they are close to being identical – real pearls are hardly ever perfectly round, and it is almost unheard of to find a whole string of pearls of exactly the same size, shape and weight. Real pearls that are regular in this way are extremely expensive, and if not they are probably fake.

X-Ray
The only truly reliable way to be sure a pearl is authentic is to pay a certified gemologist to verify it. For a fee they will be able to x-ray the pearls, allowing you to see inside to any imperfections or variations in density and discovering how the pearl was first formed and what the nucleus was. You need to be pretty certain that the pearl is real before paying the price for a validation, but some fakes can be very convincing and without damaging the pearl it really is the only way to be completely sure.

Bridal Jewellery Sets UK

Blushing UK brides need the proper bridal jewellery sets to highlight their wedding gowns. A bride certainly wishes to look her best on this memorable day. It is extremely important that the full bridal party wear bridal jewellery that will highlight what the bride is wearing along with her wedding theme. Bridal wedding jewellery sets will incorporate bracelets, necklaces, earrings, tiaras, hairpins, and an array of headpieces. The jewellery that adorns the bride ought to go with her hair and dress, and highlight her face. A special designer should be able to assist you in choosing what works well for you. It’s important that bridesmaid dresses and accessories do not overshadow the bride and what she decides to wear.

Bridal Jewellery Sets

Bridal Jewellery Sets that Sparkle

If you wish to wear contemporary jewellery, you could try gemstones, or perhaps either crystal or pearls. Silver, gold and diamonds are more traditional. What you choose all depends on your specific taste. Some brides have a heart felt sentiment to wear what their mothers wore before them. This means that jewellery can end up passing along from mothers to daughters.

UK Bridal Jewellery Sets

Matching the Jewellery Set to the Gown

For certain dresses, there are gems that are an especially good fit. Gold jewels do not fit best with white dresses; it’s better to use pearls. On the other hand gold and silver work best with off-white gowns and so do rose gold jewellery pieces and pearls. If you wear a dress with a sweetheart neckline then you don’t have to have a necklace – but you would if you wore a V-neck gown. Naturally, a halter dress is an invitation for a full set with sparkling earrings, a bracelet, and a necklace. But, don’t accentuate so much that your wedding gown is hidden in the glitter of your bridal jewellery.

Affordable Bridal Jewellery Sets

There are many local and online stores that will cater to the cost conscious bridal jewellery shopper. Cutting costs doesn’t necessarily mean you give up on looks. You can even select handmade jewellery sets for the bride and bridal attendants at bargain prices and still feel exceptional because no one else has what you have. Find a jewellery store which matches the bride’s accessory desires. Everyone knows that for the best UK weddings, you need the most beautiful looking bridal jewellery sets.

A wedding anniversary is truly a monumental occasion as not only does it signify another year of wedded bliss, but it's also the day to really celebrate the marriage and fondly remember the entire wedding day. If you're getting ready to celebrate your own anniversary, then of course you'll want to take plenty of time to find just the right present for her . It’s common knowledge that diamond jewelry and different accessories are preferred by many, and as such are normally utilized as anniversary presents.

Anniversary rings, no matter if combined with diamonds, rubies, sapphires, or any other sort of amazing gem on the market were at one time save for certain occasions like the 25th But today, many couples choose to celebrate their day with these and other beautiful reminders of their love

While diamonds are indeed a popular choice, they aren't the favorite of everyone and anniversary rings can be found in all different gemstones and styles . To begin narrowing down your many options, first choose from popular metals such as white or yellow gold, silver, and platinum for the band itself and then decide on the actual style or setting of the ring .

Some styles and designs to consider include antique, modern, and traditional with various settings such as channel-set, pave, or baguette. Also remember that you're not limited to white diamonds as the sparkling gem may be found in interesting colors such as pink, yellow, and champagne as well .

If you have the understanding that her preferences do not involve diamonds, then you can pick a different type of rock such as sapphire or even ruby. These rocks will stand out in a crowd and mesh well with anything else that she happens to wear.

Or, some women prefer to wear their rings on their right hand alone instead of on the left with their bridal set. If this is the case and the ring will be worn alone or with just a plain wedding band, you'll have more options in terms of settings and size as you won't want the new piece to dwarf or overpower the others. And, if the new ring is a completely different style than the bridal rings, she may also want to wear it separately on the right hand .

There are more things to think about right now than diamond rings. You could additionally think about diamond earrings of various weight as well as many other gifts such as a diamond pendant which can look very nice. You can find them in many different sizes and as such finding one to fit your special someone isn’t going to be any sort of problem.

Pearl jewelry is yet another option for an anniversary gift that's sure to be a cherished keepsake for many years to come. Pearls convey a timeless sense of elegance that's unrivaled by few other types of jewelry.

Perhaps one of the very best things about shopping for anniversary rings is simply the sheer number of choices you'll find available. This gives you plenty of unique options to consider, and allows you to choose that one perfect piece that will complement her personal style as well as pay testament to the joyous memory of your wedding day.

When you close your eyes and imagine a pearl necklace, what pops up in your head? Chances are, it is a perfectly matched strand of round, lustrous pearls- and if so, the image that comes to mind is the famous Akoya saltwater pearl! Ever since Mikimoto revolutionized the glamorous world of jewelry by commercializing the first cultured Akoya pearls, this gorgeous gem has gained attention and won the hearts of all cultures around the world.

Cultured pearls started in Japan during the 1900’s as the result of many years of researching through various methods by three Japanese men: Nishikawa Mikimoto, Tatsuhei Mise and Tokishi Nishikawa. Experimenting independently on various nucleation methods with the Pinctada martensii oyster (the indigenous saltwater oyster that produces Akoya pearls) the researchers each found the surgical nucleation techniques that will force the oyster to create a pearl- this is the same technique used still today by nucleation technicians worldwide, known as the Nise-Mishekawa method. However, it was Mikimoto who used his business savvy to market the new pearls worldwide, and sparked a love affair that is still going strong with jewelry lovers everywhere.

For almost a century the Japanese maintained a monopoly on the Akoya pearl trade, guarding their cultivation and processing techniques jealously. These people have been revered for being the big players in pearls; the Japanese pearls are known to be the top pearls to be found. Harvest periods (the amount of time that the oyster was allowed to secrete nacre over the nucleus) were approximately 3-5 years per pearl, ensuring thick, lustrous nacre layers that gave the pearls their renowned glow and shine. It also made them much more durable and able to resist wear on the nacre brought about by exposure to cosmetics, sweat, acids and perfumes.

However, as with any monopoly, the hey-day would not last forever. In order to satisfy a growing demand for their wonderful pearls- which had quickly staked their place as a staple of every woman’s wardrobe throughout the 1940’s and 50’s- the Japanese began cutting their growth times in order to accommodate the burgeoning market’s requirements, and quality began to suffer. Other factors such as water pollution and farmed oyster stocks that have become vulnerable to disease through decreased genetic diversity also play a large part in the weakening of the Japanese grip on the international Akoya pearl market. Now the Japanese farmers are experts at culturing larger pearls, focusing their efforts on maintaining their position as a leader, and the best source for gem-quality cultured pearls today.

China began culturing Akoya pearls as well starting in the 1960’s, although quality was acknowledged to be quite inferior to that of their Japanese neighbors. However, the Chinese pearl farmers learned what it took to become successful in an industry that was considered to be unshakeable. Concentrating their efforts on perfecting the smaller pearl sizes of 4.0mm to 8.0mm- as they have not yet mastered culturing the larger sizes that Japan is renowned for.  Using much cheaper labor and materials than that of Japan, and adopting a wiser, more long-term approach in terms of pearl quality and reputation, China has found their way to the top in the pearling world.