« The pearl is the queen of gems and the gem of queens. » – Grace Kelly
Pearls are made by pearl oysters. Once obtained by chance, pearls are now cultured. The cultured pearl technique was developed by the Japanese at the beginning of the 20th century. After a period that varies from 2 to 5 years, the pearls can be harvested from the oysters. Pearl oysters can be reused more than once. The more pearls an oyster has produced, the larger the following pearls will be.
Pearls have been used in jewelry since ancient times. They were then called Aphrodite’s tears.
The value of pearls is determined by their shape (the more perfectly round, the more expensive they are), their brilliance, their size and their color.
Brilliance (or luster) is the most important criterion for judging the quality of a pearl.
The color of each pearl is specific according to the lagoon, the breeding and/or according to the origin of the graft and the nucleus used.
A widely used standard system for grading pearl quality is that of the Gemological Institute of America (GIA). This system evaluates pearls according to criteria of shape, luster, surface, etc. Here are the references:
AAA: 100 to 95% of the surface is without defects. Very high quality. Very high luster. The pearl is perfectly round, and has a mirror shine.
AA+: 95 to 85% of the surface is without defect.
AA: 85 to 75% of the surface is without defect. Very high luster. Almost perfectly round
A+: 75 to 25% of the surface is without defect. Still classed as a gem.
A: 25% of the surface is without defect. At the limit of classification as a gem. Lower luster.
Here are the different types of pearls:
The Kasumiga pearl is definitely my favorite. With its purplish orient and iridescent luster, it is simply sublime! An inspiration at all time. This irresistible mauve color is relatively new to freshwater pearl culture.
Tahitian pearls are famous for their darker intriguing colors. They originate mainly from French Polynesia. My favorite oriental tone in Tahiti is undoubtedly the “Peacock” with several subtleties of colors found, going from green-blue to purple. A color of luster as elegant as the plumage of the majestic Blue Peacock.
Golden pearls (or Golden) have a royal velvety appearance. They are majestic balls of pure gold that come from the South Seas. They will take you off the beaten track.
South Sea pearls offer a dazzling and superior oriental quality mother-of-pearl. It’s colors vary from rich white, silvery white, to golden yellow. They are usually more expensive than freshwater pearls.
Keshi pearls are simply bewitching! They offer a sheen of captivating brilliance and depth. This pearl is most often seen in an irregular shape. Keshis are accidentally produced in culture at the same time as a normal pearl, as they are unexpected surprises found in pearl oysters. They do not have a core, they are pure mother-of-pearl.
Freshwater pearls come in a wide variety of shapes, sizes and colors. They represent excellent value for the investment.
Note that it important to be careful with hand sanitizers and your pearl rings: these are a bad combination! Pearls are fragile to chemicals like perfumes, cleaners, hand sanitizers, scented hand creams, etc. For the maintenance of your pearls and to help preserve the shine, the luster of your pearls, simply get into the habit of rubbing them very gently with a slightly damp soft cloth or a dry glasses cloth (do not wet the necklaces pearls, as this tends to stretch the silk thread that threads your pearls).
Do not hesitate to contact me if you wish to own or offer a custom-made jewel, signed Caroline Savoie.
The timeless beauty of Pearls
« The pearl is the queen of gems and the gem of queens. » – Grace Kelly
Pearls are made by pearl oysters. Once obtained by chance, pearls are now cultured. The cultured pearl technique was developed by the Japanese at the beginning of the 20th century. After a period that varies from 2 to 5 years, the pearls can be harvested from the oysters. Pearl oysters can be reused more than once. The more pearls an oyster has produced, the larger the following pearls will be.
Pearls have been used in jewelry since ancient times. They were then called Aphrodite’s tears.
The value of pearls is determined by their shape (the more perfectly round, the more expensive they are), their brilliance, their size and their color.
Brilliance (or luster) is the most important criterion for judging the quality of a pearl.
The color of each pearl is specific according to the lagoon, the breeding and/or according to the origin of the graft and the nucleus used.
A widely used standard system for grading pearl quality is that of the Gemological Institute of America (GIA). This system evaluates pearls according to criteria of shape, luster, surface, etc. Here are the references:
Here are the different types of pearls:
The Kasumiga pearl is definitely my favorite. With its purplish orient and iridescent luster, it is simply sublime! An inspiration at all time. This irresistible mauve color is relatively new to freshwater pearl culture.
Tahitian pearls are famous for their darker intriguing colors. They originate mainly from French Polynesia. My favorite oriental tone in Tahiti is undoubtedly the “Peacock” with several subtleties of colors found, going from green-blue to purple. A color of luster as elegant as the plumage of the majestic Blue Peacock.
Golden pearls (or Golden) have a royal velvety appearance. They are majestic balls of pure gold that come from the South Seas. They will take you off the beaten track.
South Sea pearls offer a dazzling and superior oriental quality mother-of-pearl. It’s colors vary from rich white, silvery white, to golden yellow. They are usually more expensive than freshwater pearls.
Keshi pearls are simply bewitching! They offer a sheen of captivating brilliance and depth. This pearl is most often seen in an irregular shape. Keshis are accidentally produced in culture at the same time as a normal pearl, as they are unexpected surprises found in pearl oysters. They do not have a core, they are pure mother-of-pearl.
Freshwater pearls come in a wide variety of shapes, sizes and colors. They represent excellent value for the investment.
Note that it important to be careful with hand sanitizers and your pearl rings: these are a bad combination! Pearls are fragile to chemicals like perfumes, cleaners, hand sanitizers, scented hand creams, etc. For the maintenance of your pearls and to help preserve the shine, the luster of your pearls, simply get into the habit of rubbing them very gently with a slightly damp soft cloth or a dry glasses cloth (do not wet the necklaces pearls, as this tends to stretch the silk thread that threads your pearls).
Do not hesitate to contact me if you wish to own or offer a custom-made jewel, signed Caroline Savoie.
Thank you !