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Product Specifications
| Jewelry Information | |
| Brand Name: | Amazon.com Collection |
| Metal stamp: | 14k |
| Metal: | yellow-gold |
| Material Type: | pearl |
| Length: | 18 inches |
| Clasp Type: | other-clasp-type |
| Total metal weight: | 0.3 Grams |
| Pearl Information | |
| Surface markings and blemishes: | lightly-blemished |
| Shape: | Potato |
| Uniformity: | Good |
| Luster: | good |
| Minimum color: | White |
| Stringing Method: | double-knotted-on-silk |
| Pearl type: | freshwater-cultured |
| Packaging Information | |
| Package: | Regal Blue Sueded-Cloth Pouch |
Product Description
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
15 of 17 people found the following review helpful:
2.0 out of 5 stars
A Rare Returned Item,
By
Amazon Verified Purchase(What's this?)
This review is from: 14k Yellow Gold 9-10mm Freshwater Cultured Pearl Necklace with Pink Beaded Gift Box, 18" (Jewelry)
This seemed such a great buy but when it arrived I was disappointed in what seemed to be the flimsy and poor quality catch. I rarely return anything, but knew I would not be comfortable wearing this -- it just looked cheap -- and did return it.
12 of 15 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
From an untrained eye,
Amazon Verified Purchase(What's this?)
This review is from: 14k Yellow Gold 9-10mm Freshwater Cultured Pearl Necklace with Pink Beaded Gift Box, 18" (Jewelry)
Like many who buy jewelry, I am not an expert. I bought this for my mom for Christmas and wasn't sure what to expect. The pearls came in a little plastic bag within a round pink box topped with tiny little seed pearls. It's a pretty presentation.I took the pearls out to make sure I wasn't giving something very obviously shoddy. I mean if there were gouges in the pearls or the pearls were very oddly shaped or the sizes were very different or something of the sort, my untrained eye can see that much. It's a short strand, not choker length, but it's clearly short. The pearls are not huge, but they do not look too small. They look evenly sized, very well matched up in that respect. The pearls did not have many markings, which I thought were light, and I did have to look for them. The shape was round. Some were just very slightly off, but I really had to look. Just from a glance, I don't think anyone is going to notice at all that they are not perfect. The color is not quite as brilliantly white as in the photo online. I think it is more cream-rose as they say. What struck me is the soft glow from the reflection of the light in my room. That was very pretty. I think my mom will like these.
12 of 15 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Gorgeous Pearls,
By
This review is from: 14k Yellow Gold 9-10mm Freshwater Cultured Pearl Necklace with Pink Beaded Gift Box, 18" (Jewelry)
I was amazed when I looked at this wonderful purchase. It is for my Mother ... a birthday or Christmas gift for December 2009. She will love it. The pearls have a lovely, creamy glow ... It's a lovely gift and so much better quality than I imagined they would be ... Instead of sending it in a little bag, it was sent in a gorgeous round box that appears to be made from silk .. a lovely shade of pink and the box is decorated with little seed pearls on the top. Needless to say, I am extremely pleased.
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