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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: | smoky-quartz |
| Height: | 61 millimeters |
| Back finding: | ear-wire |
| Pearl Information | |
| Pearl type: | freshwater-cultured |
| Packaging Information | |
| Package: | Regal Blue Sueded-Cloth Pouch |
Product Description
Amazon.com Product Description
Small freshwater cultured pearls mix with clear rock crystals and smoky quartz beads to form an elegant cluster in these sterling silver dangle earrings. These evening-ready accents are set on sterling silver shepherd's hook wires and tipped with a larger pearl at the base. Cool, neutral colors give them all season versatility and make them easy to pair with a variety of outfits.
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
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
wife loved them,
By
This review is from: Freshwater Cultured Pearl, Smoky and Clear Quartz Dangle Earrings (Jewelry)
Having frequented fast-food establishments for a lifetime, I suppose I have come to expect the actual product to be very different than the picture you order from on the advertisement. In the same spirit that I expect a smaller meat pattie on a smaller bun with less-attractive looking lettuce and tomato- my hopes for these earrings at a budget price [.........] were not terribly high.
When they came, however, it was a pleasant surprise. There is no need for a "super size" upgrade, and the luster and charm is all intact. These things were actually bigger than I thought they would be. Now a disclaimer, if the fast-food analogy didn't tip you off. I'm not exactly a jewelry connoisseur (did I even spell that right?). All I know is that the wife was just as happy with these as she was with the expensive stuff. Win-win.
3.0 out of 5 stars
Ok, but not as elegant as I thought they would be,
By
Amazon Verified Purchase(What's this?)
This review is from: Freshwater Cultured Pearl, Smoky and Clear Quartz Dangle Earrings (Jewelry)
I guess they look like they do in the picture but somehow I imagined them to be more elegant. I feel like in person there are far too many pearls clumped together and it just ends up looking a little bulky. The chain above the pearls is also longer than I though (again .. it is as shown in the picture just feels different in person). It means that the earings hang quite low which I don't mind in an earing but with the bulk of pearls at the bottom, I feel that the proportions are a little off. I am going to see if I can remove some of the pearls (maybe move them up on the chain) and get the look that I was going for.
5.0 out of 5 stars
Very nice!,
By David (Atlanta) - See all my reviews
Amazon Verified Purchase(What's this?)
This review is from: Freshwater Cultured Pearl, Smoky and Clear Quartz Dangle Earrings (Jewelry)
These earrings are very pretty and a good size as well. They are about 1 1/2 - 2 inches long. Would definitely recommend for someone who likes pearls.
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