Pearls are the only gem created by a living creature. When a foreign object is caught in an oyster shell, the oyster protects itself by coating it with nacre. Layers of this substance form the iridescent appearance of a pearl. Pearls were once extremely rare and expensive since thousands of oysters had to be searched to discover very few pearls.

Today, pearls are cultured in both saltwater and freshwater. The term cultured does not mean that the pearls are synthetic. They are actually created within an oyster. However, a procedure is used to encourage the formation of the pearl. Usually, a tiny bead is inserted into the shell. It is returned to the water where it will begin to coat the object with the pearly substance. The oysters are then harvested for their pearls.

Pearl Quality

The iridescent quality of a pearl is known as the orient. The degree of luminescence is one factor in determining its worth. Lack of flaws or spots is another factor. A pearl’s texture, shape, size and color are also considered measurements of value.

Cultured vs. Synthetic Pearls

Though cultured pearls are produced within oysters, they are not naturally occurring gems. Synthetic pearls are man-made imitators of the pearl. You can determine whether a pearl is cultured or synthetic by checking its texture. Cultured pearls have a slightly rougher, sandpaper-like feel. Synthetic pearls are polished to a glassy, smooth finish. Sometimes a synthetic pearl has a painted surface which contributes to the smooth texture.

Pearls have long been coveted as mysterious and awe-inspiring gems. They represent purity, classic style and elegance. Pearls are unique as they are created from living animals rather than from earth, like other gemstones. All mollusks with a shell can produce a pearl. Formation occurs when a grain of food becomes trapped in the shell. The animal, sensing its presence, begins to “coat” the particle with layers of mineral. This results in the iridescent luster recognized in both natural and cultured pearls.

Cultured Pearls

Only one in 10,000 mollusks naturally produce pearls, making them (the pearls, not the mollusks) rare and prized. The process of producing “cultured pearls” has developed techniques to improve these odds. Most pearls in today’s market are cultured.

Shape, size and color

Pearls are not typically formed as perfect spheres. It is far more common to find irregular shapes and a wide variety of sizes. Also, pearls are found in an astonishing range of colors. They are purple or black, white, gold and everything in between.

Fashion jewelry

Since pearls have always been a rare commodity, there exists a long history of producing these gems through artificial means. Beginning in Ancient Rome and continuing with Queen Elizabeth I of England, man-made pearls have met the demands that nature could not. Beginning in the 1930’s, Coco Chanel led the fashion industry in the use of imitation pearls to inspire elegant and chic designs. Natural or imitation, pearls today retain a glamorous quality of sophisticated style.

A pearl necklace is a fashion must: classic, beautiful, and adaptable. Of course, it’s difficult to decide what to buy. From saltwater chokers to an opera necklace, options are vast. That said, here’s a little guide to help you choose your perfect pearl necklace.

Pearls

There are many options available when choosing a pearl necklace. First one must choose whether to buy a necklace of natural or cultured pearls, than decide whether you’d like a saltwater or freshwater necklace. There are also different shapes of pearls to choose from. You can buy a necklace with round or spherical Pearls, symmetrical pearls or baroque or irregularly shaped pearls. The rounder the pearls the more expensive the necklace will be. Although a necklace of baroque pearls would be the least expensive baroque pearls are also beautiful.

Necklace Styles

Here’s a list of necklace styles to help you navigate your necklace search:

• Choker: A choker is 14″ to 16″ long. Chokers sit on the base of the neck
• Princess Necklace: A princess necklace is 18″ long. It is between choker and matinee length
• Matinee Necklace: A matinee necklace is 22″ to 23″ long. It should sit at the top of cleavage
• Opera Necklace: An opera necklace is 30″ to 36″ long and should sit at the breastbone
• Sautoir or Rope Necklace: A sautoir or rope necklace is any necklace longer than opera length
• Dog Collar: A dog collar necklace consist of multiple strands of pearls that lay close to the neck
• Bib Necklace: A bib necklace is multiple strands of stepped pearls.

Click Here - Jewelry Coupons by Email

• Graduated Necklace: In a graduated necklace, larger pearls in the middle gradually become smaller toward the clasp
• Uniform Necklace: Here, the pearls appear to be all the same size, although normally there is a slight difference towards the ends so they appear to be in proportion

Whatever pearl necklace you choose, you’re sure to love it. A pearl necklace is a classic enduring piece of jewelry.

A lariat necklace is a very, very long necklace. Because a lariat necklace is a long, clasp less strand of gems, pearls or beads, a girl can twist, tie and knot her lariat necklace however she likes. The lariat necklace is a wonderfully adaptable accessory. Wear your lariat necklace one way for sophistication then wear your lariat necklace another way for funkiness. A lariat necklace is a must have!

Of course, even as concerns a lariat necklace, there can be a catch.

Fabulous Party: Fabulous Lariat Necklace

In honor of the Emmys, a friend of mine threw a faux-emmy party. I was delighted to dress elegantly. I wore a floor-skimming dress with plunging back. A beautiful lariat necklace streamed down my back. I looked fabulous as did the lariat necklace.

Falling For a Lariat Necklace

Well, sometimes things just don’t go as planned. This was one of those times. Half way through the party, I passed a beautiful, towering orchid arrangement when the end of my lariat necklace got caught in the flowers. The lariat necklace brought me down and the gigantic arrangement down! Thank goodness my head wasn’t in the way because the arrangement came crashing down after me!

There was quite a fuss. It took 6 women to disentangle the lariat necklace before I could move from the puddle of dirt, water and orchid remains in which I lay. My dress and hair were ruined. The lariat necklace was ruined. Once again, it’ll take me ages to redeem my ‘decked out diva’ reputation.

Of course, nobody’s perfect. Not even the perfect lariat necklace.

Regardless of your favorite type of pearls, every woman knows they’re a “must have.” Whether your style is elegant or edgy, there’s certain to be pearls you’ll love!

MAKING PEARLS

Pearls are created by salt or freshwater oysters and clams. Given that pearls are made by living creatures, they are called organic gems. Beginnig as a piece of sand or other particle that enters the shell of an oyster or clam, pearls are formed when the oyster or clam coats the particle with layers of a substance called nacre. The layers eventually become thick enough to form a pearl.

Pearls are classified by origin and shape. Here’s a guide to the classification of pearls:

ORIGIN OF PEARLS

Natural Pearls

Formed using the process above, the shape of natural pearls varies depending on the shape of the piece being coated. Natural pearls are rare and expensive.

Cultured Pearls

Cultured pearls are created like natural pearls, except they get a helping hand from humans. To make a cultured pearl, the shell is gingerly opened and an object is inserted. Depending upon the desired shape of the pearls, different shaped objects are inserted. Cultured pearls are valued by their size in millimeters.

Saltwater Pearls

Saltwater pearls are created by a saltwater clam or oyster. Saltwater pearls can be either natural or cultured.

Freshwater Pearls

Freshwater pearls grow inside of a clam or oyster that lives in a river or a lake.

SHAPE OF PEARLS

Spherical Pearls

Spherical pearls are round. The rounder the pearls, the rarer and more expensive they are.

Symmetrical Pearls

Symmetrical pearls include pearls that are symmetrical from one side to another. These pearls are not round.

Baroque Pearls

Baroque pearls are irregularly shaped pearls. Though beautiful, baroque pearls are usually the least expensive.

Whether you choose jewelry with cultured or natural pearls, salt or freshwater pearls, spherical, symmetrical or baroque pearls, you’re certain to look beautiful whatever your style!