Pearls, which are naturally beautiful, were the first gem to be used by ancient cultures as treasures and ornaments. To grow fine cultured pearls, it takes time, patience and attention. Due to the many qualities of pearls in today's marketplace, Shogun takes great pride in its careful and knowledgeable selection of only the best qualities.
A Natural Pearl is formed when an irritant (perhaps a tiny living creature) is trapped within the mantle tissue in a mollusk. To soothe the discomfort, the oyster covers the irritant with layer upon layer of smooth, ice-like crystals called nacre. Nacre gives the pearl its distinctive silky look and feel.
Cultured Pearls, like Natural Pearls, form in a very similar manner. However, instead of waiting for nature to induce an irritant, the pearl technician carefully places a small shell bead inside the oyster to stimulate the mollusk to secrete the nacre production. The bead nucleus is covered by the same silky nacre as is on a natural pearl. It is quite difficult to distinguish between undrilled fine cultured pearls and natural pearls; it can only be detected with the use of an x-ray. Determining whether cultured or natural with drilled pearls takes an experienced professional.
Today's method of cultivating pearls was developed in the late 1800's in Japan. Akoya oysters (saltwater mollusks) are the host for implantation with a nucleus made from the shell of a mussel mollusk harvested from the Mississippi River beds in the United States. Simulated and Faux pearls are not real pearls. They are imitations that are manufactured by coating beads (usually plastic or glass) with iridescent paint or a fish-scale solution.
Evaluation of Pearls:
1. Luster and Nacre Thickness
This is the most important characteristic both for value appraisal and for visual appeal. The longer a pearl is allowed to grow, the thicker the coating of nacre around its center. It is this lustrous layering of crystals which traps and holds light, thus giving the fine pearls their glow. The higher the luster, the sharper the reflection and refraction of light.
2. Color
There are more variations in natural pearl color. Pink, white, cream, light green, light gray and golden are the most common categories of color. Color is a matter of personal choice- find the color that looks best with your skin tone. White and pink are the most costly colors.
3. Shape
Pearls are found in many shapes: round, semi-round, baroque, and drop. Perfectly round pearls are the most rare and most preferred.
4. Cleanliness
Like other natural gems, pearls may have some irregularities. The size, location, and quantity of these natural blemishes detract from the pearl's appearance, thus effecting the value.
5. Size
The size of a pearl is measured by its diameter in millimeters. Generally, the value of pearls increase as size increases. Large pearls are more scarce than small ones.
6. Matching
No two pearls are ever exactly alike. Most necklaces are the result of a careful blending of pearls that appear to look alike in respect to color, luster, shape, cleanliness and measurement. Matching pearls is a fine art, and is evident in beautiful pearl jewerly.
Pearl Types:
Akoya Pearls
Akoya pearls are the most commonly known saltwater pearls. They are grown in akoya oysters. The pearl sizes are usually 2mm to 9mm. Akoya cultured pearls measuring over 9mm are rare and expensive.
South Sea Pearls
South Sea Pearls are produced in yellow-lipped and white-lipped oysters (pinctada maxima) that are grown in the waters of Australia, Indonesia and the Philippine Islands. These pearls generally range in sizes from 8mm to 16mm, rarely reaching 20mm.
Tahitian Pearls
Black-lipped oysters (pinctada margaritifera) are the host mollusks that produce these desirable "gray to black" colored pearls. The Tahitian pearls grow to sizes comparable to the South Sea pearls.
Freshwater Pearls
Numerous species of freshwater mollusks serve as hosts that cultivate freshwater pearls. These mollusks usually will not tolerate the presence of a shell nucleus and are therefore implanted with small pieces of mantle tissue of the host mollusk to stimulate production of nacre. The pearls that form follow the curves of these softer centers, thus resulting in a variety of shapes and textures.
Blister and Mabe Pearls
Blister pearls are dome shaped pearls created by inserting a half or three-quarter shaped nucleus against the inside shell of the mollusk, rather than within the body of the mollusk. Instead of residing within the body of the mollusk, Blister pearls remain intact with the shell. They maintain the integrity of the original form and are therefore considered cultured pearls.
Mabe pearls are blister pearls that are cut away from the shell. The nacre coating is separated from the nucleus in order to remove substances that might affect its color. The bead is then replaced with polyester resin, and a new mother-of-pearl backing. This is done to increase the strength the pearl.
How to care for your pearls:
A pearl is a delicate natural substance that must be kept free from dirt and chemicals such as perfume and hair spray (never spray directly on pearls). Perspiration also has a damaging effect on pearls. In order to protect your pearls from discoloration and deterioration, wipe them frequently with a damp, clean cloth. Never clean pearls with harsh detergent or jewelry cleaner. A drop of mild detergent in warm water works best.
Restring pearls at least once a year to keep the jewelry looking its best. Remember that the thread is subject to stretching and fraying and might break.
Pearls should be stored in a soft pouch or in a separate compartment in your jewelry box to avoid scratching. Never store pearls in a safe for long periods of time... this environment can dry the pearls, causing discoloration, cracking or peeling.
Remember... it's important to take care of your Shogun Pearl Jewelry for years of enjoyment.
