Freshwater Pearls Freshwater pearls and sea pearls are known as the "queen of gems." Pearls, including freshwater pearls, require no cutting and polishing on the part of man, unlike other gemstone beads. Although bleaching is a common treatment. The term "pearl" is so important that the FTC (Federal Trade Commission) controls its use. There are "natural pearls," "cultured pearls," and "imitation pearls." We offer cultured pearls, which means they are farmed. At this time we have in stock only cultured freshwater pearls, as our business focus is on beads that are made from natural materials and are also affordable for use in a wide variety of craft and jewelry making projects. Although sea pearls are expensive when compared to freshwater pearls, natural pearls are very rare and sell at an extremely high price. Natural pearls occur when an irritating particle somehow gets inside a live oyster shell. The particle is then coated with layers upon layers of the material the oyster uses to create its own shell (aragonite and conchiolin) called nacre. Cultured pearls differ in that they are farmed by people who introduce the irritating particle, usually a small mother-of-pearl bead, but sometimes freshwater pearls are used. The end result is the exact same material whether farmed or natural in origin. However, many unusual shapes can be created in a farmed pearl where the irritating particle is shaped the same as the desired resulting pearl. Freshwater pearl shapes on the market now include coin shapes, square shapes, heart shapes, stick shapes (also found in nature), and nugget shapes (also found in nature.) Imitation pearls are actually a glass or plastic bead that has been coated with something to make it appear the same or similar to pearls created by oysters. Freshwater pearls are produced by mussels living in fresh water rather than oysters living in sea water. Pearls can be grown by a number of mollusks, such as clams or snails, in addition to oysters and mussels. A pearl that has been grown by a biological process can be distinguished from manmade pearls by rubbing across one's teeth. The feeling for a naturally grown or cultured pearl will be gritty, while the artificial pearl will feel smooth even slippery. This test may fail where ground natural pearl material has been used to coat a glass bead. A real pearl will also often have irregularities, created as the nacre is grown in layers, some not completely or uniformly covering the surface. There are advantages to both artificial and biologically grown pearls in jewelry making or craft projects. The natural pearl, being quite rare, will be an investment in the same way that any rare article is considered an investment. Cultured sea pearls provide an affordable alternative to natural pearls and are available in a wide variety of colors. Sea pearls are available in a perfectly spherical shape, although sea pearls are often irregular in shape. Freshwater pearls are rarely perfectly round, but can be, and are much less expensive. The more perfectly round and the larger the pearl, as well as the thickness of its nacre, determines how much it costs. In some cases, manmade pearls are a better choice for a beaded project, as they are very affordable and are available in absolutely consistent sizes and perfectly spherical shapes. Consequently, if the artist or crafts person wishes to keep their costs low, or the size and shape consistent, manmade pearls can be a superior choice to include in their jewelry supplies. Naturally grown pearls can be produced in a wide variety of shapes and sizes. While a grading system has long been in existing for sea pearls, one has very recently been established for freshwater pearls. However, the grading system does not apply to freshwater pearls that have been colored. The factors that contribute to the value of a pear include its size, smoothness, roundness, luster, color, and shape. Generally, the more expensive pearls are larger, smooth, round, lusterous, and have a subtle, pure, and clear color. According to an Indian legend, the Hindu god Krishna was the first to discover pearls and was so entranced with them that he presented them to his daughter as her wedding gift. The first written reference to pearls however, comes from China, where official royal records note that in the year 2206 B.C., the king received pearls as a tribute from the river Hwai. By the tenth century A.D., on the other side of the globe, Native American Indians were already using pearls to decorate sacred relics. common treatments: usually bleached and treated with bright fluorescent lights and heat, sometimes polished, irradiated, or dyed special care: avoid prolonged exposure to strong heat, harsh chemicals, abrasion, don't clean in an ultra-sonic, don't store in plastic bags |
