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Pearls will always remain a standard when it comes to jewelry choice. Every woman should own pearls as part of her jewelry warddrobe because it adds such a classic and stylish touch to just about any outfit.

But how much do you know about pearls? And how do you choose the right kind of pearl for you?

Read on:

Freshwater pearls and saltwater pearls differ in the type of luster, first of all. In appearance, freshwater pearls are noted for a softer luster, a glow that comes from deep within the pearl. Saltwater pearls include Akoya pearls, which may be a similar size to freshwater pearls but have a more brilliant superficial luster.

The difference is due to the type of mollusk used to produce the pearls and the thickness of the nacre. Freshwater pearls tend to have thicker nacre.

Classification of Pearls:

Pearls are classified in to two types:

1)     Natural Pearls

2)     Cultured Pearls

1) Natural Pearls: The Natural Pearls are further classified in to
two types:

a)     Salt Water Pearls

b)     Fresh Water Pearls

Salt Water Pearls and the Fresh Water Pearls: Salt water pearls are
mostly found oceans, gulfs, and bay areas. Fresh water
pearls are found in the rivers and the lakes. These two types of pearls are
produced under environmental and natural conditions.

Nowadays the natural pearls are very rare because of air and water pollution. Natural pearls are very sensitive to the weather conditions, so the production of the pearls has
fallen down. Because of less availability, natural pearls are very expensive. Natural pearls will have more thickness of nacre than the cultured pearls.

Cultured Pearls: Cultured pearls are also similar to the natural pearls. There are salt water pearls and the fresh water pearls. An irritant is placed in the mollusk and it creates a pearl in response to it. The production of these pearls has increased to 95% all over the world.

Single Strand Cultured Freshwater Pearls - 8.5mm - 11.5mm With Free Matching Earrings Single strand cultured freshwater pearls, 17" with 14kt yellow gold clasp and free matching earrings. (each strand sold individually)

Source: PearlDistributors.com

Adornment has been used since the beginning of time. But that doesn’t mean that it all works! Some forms of jewelry have worked for a time (mood ring, anyone?). Some pieces are classic and always retain their grace and style, like a pearl necklace. These pieces…well, you decide for yourself. Thanks Trendhunter.com!

Spock Ear Jewelry

Face chains - for the overly talkative girlfriend

Jewelry made from Potatoes

Mini-sculputure rings - with a LIVE princess inside!

Bobby Pin Jewelry

Bonsai Tree Ring

Industrial Material Bracelet (Oil Filter and Electrical Cable)

Laser Cut Wooden Bracelet

Personalized Audio Waveform Ring...wow.

Molecular Structure Jewelry - This necklace accurately depicts the molecular structure of human beta-endorphin.

Recycled Camera Bracelet - Say cheese!

I had a friend tell me at a party a few nights ago that she only wears silver.

“You mean sterling silver?” I gently directed.

“No. Silver. I don’t like the cheap stuff.”

Well, I didn’t want to embarrass her but it got me thinking that it’s time to clarify a thing or two about sterling silver – what it is and what it isn’t.

Pure silver is too soft for producing jewelry. It is alloyed with another metal to give it strength, generally copper, though other metals are often used as well, such as zinc, geranium and platinum. Sterling silver is made up of 92.5% mined silver and the rest, the chosen alloy. Tarnishing will occur in most sterling silvers because of the alloy ingredient, not because of the silver, which is non-reactive to oxygen.

Sterling silver is marked with a universal stamp at a manufacturing company for authentication purposes (see above photo). It can then be molded into various final products, such as jewelry and flatware. Because sterling silver is an alloy, it can tarnish and needs to be cleaned with silver cleaner.

Genuine silver is mined and comes from countries in South America such as Chile, Mexico and Peru. It can also be found in North America and across the US  (Michigan and Arizona).

Amethyst And Garnet Sterling Silver Dangle Earrings Sterling silver dangle earrings featuring genuine amethyst and Brazilian garnet stones.

A

Scanned these from a book we used to use in my Dad’s store. I grew up with this catalog, and several others like it. There are some 800 pages of Fabulous designs here with just this single company! Wild stuff, from broaches to cuff links to charms, etc., styles you won’t find anywhere today!

Thanks, M

Update: August 2011

Kim