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White Freshwater Cultured Pearl Mother-and-Daughter Necklace and Earring Set with Sterling Silver Clasp

• Necklace lengths are 18" and 13"
• Earrings are 6.5-7 mm and 4-4.5 mm

Product Description

Amazon.com Product Description

The Freshwater Cultured Pearl Mother-and-Daughter Necklace and Earring Set offers two pearl necklaces and two sets of pearl earrings. Each piece is made from beautiful, freshwater cultured pearls with their luminescent beauty. One necklace features larger pearls than the other while the two sets of earrings, highlighting one pearl stud, are also different sizes. You can easily pair them and make different combinations from one day to the next depending on your mood. You can even wear the two necklaces and earrings together -- if you have two pierced holes! The necklaces offer sturdy spring-ring clasps and the earrings have secure post backings.

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 rarest 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 does 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

• Shipping Weight: 2.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Shipping: This item is also available for shipping to select countries outside the U.S.
• ASIN: B0015DCMAM
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,614 in Jewelry (See Top 100 in Jewelry)
  • #23 in Jewelry > Jewelry Sets

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Nice Memories, June 13, 2008

By 

J. Bautista "Amazing Imprints" (Washington State) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: White Freshwater Cultured Pearl Mother-and-Daughter Necklace and Earring Set with Sterling Silver Clasp (Jewelry)

My husband bought this set to have my daughter give it to me for Mothers Day. When she realized that it was a set we would both use she was even more thrilled! What little girl doesn't like to wear thing like mommy has?? We put the necklaces and earrings on immediately and wore them all the rest of the day! Now whenever we go somewhere (even to the grocery store) she asks if we should put on our matching jewelry!

The necklaces are nicely made and should last for years. the one drawback to the necklaces is that they are close enough to chokers, I would have liked a little more slack in mine. It was not TIGHT but I personally do not like straight around the neck, I like a little slack so it drapes a little. The Pearl earrings did not make our ears itch or break out after a full day of wear.

The best thing about this set in my opinion is the wonderful memories we will have of wearing our matching sets to special occasions together!

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Beautiful mother's day gift, October 31, 2008

By 

slypig "mo.slypig" (Central WA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: White Freshwater Cultured Pearl Mother-and-Daughter Necklace and Earring Set with Sterling Silver Clasp (Jewelry)

I bought this set to share with my daughter on Mother's day. I told her she made me a mom and I loved her and I wanted to share something with her that we could keep forever.

I got these on a Gold Box deal so it was a great price. I was feeling a little skeptical when I ordered them but I was pleasantly suprised when I received the box.

This is a beautiful set. Great quality and nice sized. The daughter sized pearls are the most precious thing.

My daughter was very happy and loved them. She wore hers in this year's school picture.

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Beautiful, April 27, 2008

By 

C. andries "cinderella" (Louisiana) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: White Freshwater Cultured Pearl Mother-and-Daughter Necklace and Earring Set with Sterling Silver Clasp (Jewelry)

This is a beautiful little set. I bought this so my daughter could keep it for her child one day. It is well made-no complaints.