Pearl Luster

Pearl Luster: the brilliancy and soul of pearls.It displays the pearl's unique beauty and helps people discover this precious water-grown gem gift from the Mother Nature.

Sometimes, people get so involved in examining the shape and blemishes of pearls that they overlook the pearl luster. In other words, they are overlooking the beauty source of a pearl. A chalky pearl might look like nothing more than a plastic bead. The stronger the luster is, the higher the pearl value. Luster is one of the most important factors in determining pearls value for all types.

As a natural attribute, the luster of a pearl depends on the quality of the nacre -- its transparency, smoothness and overall thickness as well as the thickness of each of the microscopic layers of nacre.

Luster is also a light phenomenon depending on the quality and quantity of the reflected light. Therefore when people judge pearl luster, lighting condition must be taken into account. Gemologists and appraisers normally grade pearls under standardized lighting conditions. However, people will encounter various lighting situations when shopping for pearls. The stronger and more direct the light, the more lustrous the pearls will look.

The pearls very gradually change in luster as we went down the lines. There isn't any distinct dividing point in those strands of pearls. That is why the pearl industry has not yet adopted a standardized system for grading pearls until now. The luster grading standard will differ from one dealer to another for the uninformed standard luster reference.

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Type of pearl

We can divide pearls in different ways, with different definitions. They can be listed as:

Freshwater or Saltwater
Natural or Cultured
Whole or Half

Good saltwater pearls can cost several times more than freshwater pearls of similar quality and size. Not only because an oyster can produce less pearls than a mussel does. It also takes a longer time for an oyster to nurture pearls.

Natural pearls are much more expensive than cultured pearls.
Whole pearls are more valued than blister or mabe pearls.

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Early history about jewelry

The first signs of jewellery came from the Homo sapiens in Africa. Perforated beads made from snail shells have been found dating to 75,000 years ago at Blombos Cave. In Kenya, at Enkapune Ya Muto, beads made from perforated ostrich egg shells have been dating to more than 40,000 years ago. The Cro-Magnons originally from Africa, migrated from the Middle East to settle in Europe and replace the Neanderthals as the dominant species. The jewelery pieces they made were crude necklaces and bracelets of bone, teeth and stone hung on pieces of string or animal sinew, or pieces of carved bone used to secure clothing together. In some cases, jewelery had shell or mother of-pearl-pieces. In southern Russia , carved bracelets made of Mammoth tusk have been found. Most commonly, these have been found as grave-goods. Around 7,000 years ago, the first sign of copper jewelery was seen.

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Something about Pearl

Pearls are among the most timeless, classic and treasured of all gems. Throughout history, these noble gems have been associated with wisdom, wealth, purity, romance and mystery. It's hard to believe that such a luscious, beautiful gem comes from such humble origins. A natural pearl starts out as a grain of sand or microscopic worm that works its way into an oyster. To protect its soft body from this irritant, the oyster secretes a smooth, hard substance called nacre. Layer upon layer of nacre coats the foreign object and hardens, ultimately forming a pearl. In general, the thicker the nacre, the richer the "glow" of the pearl - which can greatly enhance its value.

From the pearl encrusted gowns of Elizabethen aristocracy to the chic strands of Coco Chanel. From the elegant pearl earrings popularized by Jackie O and Audrey Hepburn to Madonna's multiple pearl bracelets and Michelle Obama's classic pearl chokers - whatever the times - pearls are perfect.

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Something about Diamond

Diamonds are among the most prized substances on earth. Their incomparable brilliance, elegance, durability and mystery have captivated our imagination for thousands of years. Considering the endless lore and mystique behind this regal stone, it's no wonder that it has come to symbolize the ultimate gift of love and romance.

Not only is a diamond the overwhelming choice for prospective brides and grooms selecting an engagement ring, but the gem is also the birthstone for April. And diamonds are the recommended gift for couples celebrating their 10th, 60th and 75th wedding anniversaries.

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Store your jewelry safely.

1. Store jewelry in sturdy cases with soft, lined interiors to avoid impact against hard surfaces and scratching.

2. Place jewelry in soft fabric pouches if no jewelry cases are available

3. Store jewelry separately to avoid tangles and scratches.

4. Use tarnish-resistant cloth and cases to store silver.

5. Keep your jewelry boxes away from high heat and excessive moisture, which can damage some stones.

6. Consider purchasing a jewelry box.

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Tips to buy a diamond

1. Decide how much you can spend. If you are buying an engagement ring, the general rule is two months' salary, but the sky's the limit if you're in pursuit of the perfect stone.

2. Choose the shape of diamond you prefer. Although the round or brilliant cut is most popular, diamonds come in many cuts, including oval, square or even heart-shaped.

3. Inspect the diamond's clarity (the degree of transparency). A "flawless" diamond, free from all inclusions or blemishes, is very rare. Other diamonds are rated on a clarity scale that grades diamonds from "flawless" to "obvious inclusions." The higher the diamond's rating on this scale, the greater its value.

4. Examine the diamond's color. Although you may not generally think of diamonds as having color, some have a yellow, gray or brown cast. Pure, colorless diamonds are at the top of the color scale. Diamonds are also available in "fancy" colors such as red, blue or purple. These diamonds are rare and more expensive than the normal clear to yellow variety.

5.Examine the diamond's cut, which is crucial to the brilliance of the stone and a major factor in its value. A well-cut diamond reflects and disperses light in beautiful ways, thanks to qualities such as symmetry and depth (the bottom of the diamond shouldn't be too shallow or too deep). Diamonds are graded according to the cut quality, and this grade should carry a great deal of weight in your decision.

6. Determine the weight, which is measured in carats. The greater the carat weight, the more valuable the diamond. Keep in mind that since larger stones are more rare, two 1/2-carat diamonds are less expensive than a single 1-carat diamond.

7. Compare several diamonds side by side and get a good idea of what you can find in your price range. No two diamonds are alike, so examine all of them carefully for their unique qualities.

8. Make your final decision based on which diamond offers the best combination of the four C's: clarity, color, cut and carat. Ignore any of these attributes, and you jeopardize your chances of getting the best diamond for your money.

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