The illustrious history of pearl is unparalleled. The allure of the Pearl is timeless and universal. Since the beginning of recorded history, the pearl has been extolled as a metaphor for life itself, for virtue, love, wisdom, justice, and spirituality.

Always regarded as one of the rarest, most valuable, regal and symbolic of all gems, its praises are sung by the great poets of every age, it is praised in every culture. The worlds greatest literature has extolled the value and virtue of the pearl. In every age history’s most illustrious men and women chose to be adorned in “Pearls” for the images they wished making pearls the gem of choice. Even the collections of the worlds great museums most vividly illustrate the reverence and prestige reserved for pearl making it “Queen among Gems”.


Quality of Pearls

The 7 most important elements to grading a pearl are:

Luster –Luster is the quantity and quality of light reflected from the surface of a pearl. This is the first and most important factor when judging quality of pearls. To evaluate its luster, look at the clarity of images that are reflected in the pearl’s surface. The closer to a mirror image you see, the better the luster. Pearls with fine luster also seem to glow warmly from within.

Size –The size of a pearl is measured by its diameter, and ranges

from 8mm to the rare 18mm. The larger the pearl, the rarer it is.

Shape – The rounder a pearl is, the rarer and more valuable it is. This is only the most common yardstick for the Classical category, although there are some other very valuable pearls that are not perfectly round, such as the Baroque pearls which have a more linear shape which is quite popular.
Surface – The more flawless the surface of the pearl is, the higher it will be valued. However, a flawless pearl only comes about once in about every million, as pearls are the result of a natural process, and an oyster will usually leave some sort of unique mark on the finished pearl.

Color –Essentially, the color of the pearl you desire is a matter of personal taste. Color has little influence on the actual value of a pearl. Traditionally, there is a rather consistent demand for the classic silvery white pearls and the glowing gold shades. The rarest and most desired are the white “rose” colored pearls.

Weight – The weight of a pearl is not always provided, however finer jewelers will include it among their descriptions, especially in the case of larger pearls. Pearls are usually measured in carats.

Caring for Pearls:

Like any jewelry of value, pearls require proper care to keep them looking good. Pearls may not feel that way, but their surfaces are soft. They are sensitive to dramatic changes in temperature. They are also affected by acids, cosmetics, perspiration and hair spray.Never use abrasives or solvents to clean pearls. Cleaning products with ammonia should be avoided.Steam cleaning or using an ultrasonic cleaner can damage pearls. Do not use anything that could scratch the surface, including toothbrushes. Using a mild liquid soap, you can wash pearls in water with a soft cloth.

To dry, spread them on a moist towel. When both are dry, the pearls should be ready to wear. Wearing a necklace that is still moist will stretch the string.