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Product Specifications
| Jewelry Information | |
| Brand Name: | Amazon.com Collection |
| Metal stamp: | 925-Sterling |
| Metal: | sterling-silver |
| Material Type: | pearl |
| Gem Type: | smokey-quartz |
| Minimum total gem weight: | 12 carats |
| Length: | 2 inches |
| Back finding: | post-with-friction-back |
| Number of stones: | 2 |
| Pearl Information | |
| Number of pearls: | 10 |
| Shape: | Button |
| Size per pearl: | 6-6.5mm;4.5-5mm |
| Pearl type: | freshwater-cultured |
| Packaging Information | |
| Package: | Regal Blue Sueded-Cloth Pouch |
Product Description
Amazon.com Product Description
The perfect accent to this season's darker hues and rich metallics, these drop earrings feature a chain of bronze freshwater pearls tipped with a large smokey quartz briolette. The earrings measure a little over 2 inches in length and are featured on sterling silver posts with friction back closures.
About Freshwater Cultured Pearls
These pearls are gathered from freshwater lake and river mollusks. Most Freshwater pearls come from China and they can be mostly round to off-round, or rice-shaped to baroque. They look similar to Akoya pearls, but are the perfect gift when on a budget. They might be slightly less symmetrical, smaller, or not as easily matched, but these minor differences provide a major value for the price.
Cultivation
Pearls are produced naturally in the body of salt and freshwater mollusks, such as oysters and mussels. When these animals sense an irritant, such as a grain of sand, they produce a soft coating of calcium carbonate substance around it. The result is a pearl. Because perfectly round, naturally produced pearls are so rare, a process known as cultivation was developed by Kokichi Mikimoto in the early 1900s. A small bead of polished shell, the nucleus, is used as an irritant and delicately inserted into the mantle of a mollusk. It takes approximately 20-24 months of intensive husbandry to cultivate a saltwater pearl and somewhat less time to cultivate freshwater pearls. The harvest usually takes place during the months of June and September.
Color
Mollusks produce pearls in a variety of colors, accommodating most personal preferences and budgets. The general color of a pearl is also known as the body color. Pearls typically range from white, cream, and yellow to pink, silver, or black. An overtone of secondary color is sometimes seen. For instance, a pearl may appear to be white, but upon closer inspection a rosy hue is detected. The body color would then be termed white-rosé. Color variation does not affect the quality of the pearl, though it should be noted that color matching is important when choosing pearls for some necklaces, earrings, or bracelets. In fashion jewelry, pearls can sometimes be dyed to achieve the desired color, which should be mentioned in the product description or specifications.
Lustre
The appealing, deep shine of a pearl is often what defines its beauty. This shine is produced by multiple layers of semi-opaque calcium carbonate crystals, called nacre. The nacre reflects light on the surface of the pearl, producing brilliance and sheen. Lustre is an integral feature in determining the quality of a pearl. Large pearls have a thicker nacre and, therefore, a higher lustre. When comparing a small Freshwater pearl to a large South Sea pearl, the difference is clearly visible to the untrained eye and should be considered when purchasing pearls.
Shape
While pearls come in many different shapes, the rare
st and highest-quality are round. Akoya, Tahitian, and South Sea oysters tend to produce the roundest pearls, while those of Freshwater mollusks can be oval to slightly off-round. When considering a pearl purchase, whether it be a necklace, bracelet, or earrings, look for consistency in the shapes of the pearls. Many of the less symmetrical shapes are used in stylish jewelry which can be quite beautiful: the drop pearl’s shape lends well to earrings, and the baroque pearl features irregular shapes that work well as necklace accents. In addition, a half sphere pearl called a “mabe” is often used in earrings, necklaces, and bracelets.Size
An oyster’s particular type and size has a direct effect on how large the pearl it produces will be, and pearls do come in a wide range of sizes. Round pearls are measured according to their diameter, while baroque pearls are measured by their length and width. A pearl’s size does not necessarily affect its quality, but it does affect its price. Large, round pearls are rare and their lustre is usually high--this beautiful combination of traits is often reflected in the cost of such pearls.
Average pearl sizes (in diameter):
Akoya: 6-8mm
Freshwater: 5-6.5mm
South sea: 11-13mm
Tahitian: 11-12mm
Surface Markings
Often when an oyster creates a pearl, the nacre do
es not develop smoothly. The surface of a pearl is judged by how many marks are visible in the nacre. These imperfections can be small and unnoticeable or quite large and distinct. Like diamonds, pearls are rarely flawless. However, high lustre or the way pearls are strung and set can help conceal surface markings.Care
Proper care of pearls is not difficult if you remember that they are organic and produced by a living thing. Pearls are soft and delicate, but when cared for with common sense, they will maintain their lustre for centuries. The pearls should not come in contact with cosmetics, hairspray, perfume, chlorinated water, or other harsh chemicals. To keep them clean, let them be the last item put on when dressing, and the first item taken off at the end of an evening. The best way to maintain their lustre is to wear the pearls often, and wipe them down with a soft cloth afterward--pearls absorb the oils from skin, which helps keep them moist. Pearls should be stored in a cloth pouch or jewelry bag, separated from other jewelry to prevent nicks or chipping. Periodically, pearl strands should be restrung since the silk thread used to tie the pearls together breaks down over time.
Product Details
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Lovely earrings,
This review is from: Bronze Dyed Freshwater Cultured Pearl Earrings with Smokey Quartz Drop Briolette (Jewelry)
These earrings were actually larger than they appeared in the photo. This is a great bargain. The earrings are absolutely beautiful. They are not light weight so if you're not used to wearing substantial (somewhat heavy) earrings they are not for you.
4.0 out of 5 stars
Gorgeous earrings,
By Whose Line überfan "I do believe in Jayhawks" (Merriam, KS) - See all my reviews
This review is from: Bronze Dyed Freshwater Cultured Pearl Earrings with Smokey Quartz Drop Briolette (Jewelry)
These earrings are every bit as gorgeous as they appear in the picture. The only reason they do not warrant 5 stars is because they are heavy and I am not able to wear them for a full day. I have considered removing the "Smokey Quartz Drop Briolette" and making a separate set of earrings out of them. Additionally, a post is inserted through the quartz to attach it to the rest of the earring, which is a bit awkward, but the earrings are still beautiful.
4.0 out of 5 stars
Pearl earrings,
By
Amazon Verified Purchase(What's this?)
This review is from: Bronze Dyed Freshwater Cultured Pearl Earrings with Smokey Quartz Drop Briolette (Jewelry)
The earrings were well received. The color of the pearls were gorgeous. The smokey quartz fit well with the pearls and over all they weere beautiful.
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