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Both natural and cultured pearls are grown by oysters and are therefore considered valued jewels—gifts of nature. The only difference between them is that natural pearls begin by accident while cultured pearls are initiated by man. A skilled jeweler can usually look down the drill hole of a pearl and determine the origin. However, the only sure way to tell the difference between a natural and cultured pearl is by using an X-ray machine.

Imitation pearls, on the other hand, are man made by mechanical processes and have no real jewel value.

Better imitation pearls are made from beads of glass, ceramic, shell, or plastic which are coated with a varnish generally made of lacquer and ground fish scales to simulate the iridescence and color of a pearl.

Imitation pearls go by many names. Some, unfortunately, are used to mislead consumers. The words “fashion, faux, simulated, organic, man-made, ‘Mallorca’,” or simular regional names are all terms that are currently applied to manufactured, imitation pearls.

Most pearl experts can readily tell the difference between imitation and real pearls by sight alone. However, due to sophisticated manufacturing and polishing techniques, it may be difficult for the average consumer to distinguish a natural or cultured pearl from a good imitation by sight. An easy way to tell the difference is the “tooth” test. A strand of imitation pearls slowly rubbed across the front teeth will feel smooth. A strand of natural or cultured pearls will feel a little gritty. This “grittiness” that is felt is from the crystalline structure of nacre that forms real and cultured pearls.

Caring For Your Pearls

Cultured pearls are relatively soft compared to other gemstones and precious metals. So it is important to take special care of your pearls to ensure they will remain bright and beautiful for generations to come.

Cosmetics, perfume and hair spray all contain chemicals that can dull the lustre of a pearl over extended periods of time. Even acids contained in body oils and perspiration can work to damage lustre in the same way.

Therefore, it is best to put your pearls on after applying makeup, perfume and hair spray. Wiping the pearls with a soft damp cloth after you wear them will ensure that they remain free from any harmful build-ups of these compounds. Periodically, the pearls should be washed with a mild soap.

Always keep your pearls separated from hard jewelry items, such as metals and other gemstones, to prevent them from scratching your pearls. Pearls are best kept in a soft cloth pouch or a separately lined jewelry box.

If you wear your pearls several times a week, it is best to take them back to your jeweler for re-stringing about once a year to prevent strand breakage. When having your pearls re-strung, many experts advise silk thread. However, nylon thread is an acceptable alternative. Make sure that the string is knotted between each pearl. Individual knotting will prevent all the pearls in a strand from falling off should a break occur. Knotting also prevents the pearls from rubbing against each other.

Legendary Gems

Many thousands of years ago, long before written history, early man probably discovered the first pearl while searching the seashore for food.

Throughout history, the pearl, with its warm inner glow and shimmering iridescence, has been one of the most highly prized and sought after gems. Count-less references to the pearl can be found in religions and mythology of many cultures from the earliest times.

The ancient Egyptians prized pearls so much they were bur-ied with them. Reportedly, Cleopatra dissolved a single pearl in a glass of wine and drank it, simply to win a wager with Marc Antony that she could consume the wealth of an entire country in just one meal.

In ancient Rome, pearls were considered the ultimate symbol of wealth and social standing. The Greeks held the pearl in high esteem for both its unrivaled beauty and its association with love and marriage.

During the Dark Ages, while fair maidens of nobility cherished delicate pearl necklaces, gallant knights often wore pearls onto the battlefield. They believed that the magic possessed by the lustrous gems would protect them from harm.

The Renaissance saw the royal courts of Europe awash in pearls. Since pearls were so highly regarded, a number of European countries passed laws forbidding the wearing of pearls by others outside of the nobility.

During the European expansion into the New World, the discovery of pearls in Central American waters added to the wealth of Europe. Unfortunately, greed and lust for the sea grown gems resulted in the depletion of virtually all the American pearl oyster populations by the 17th Century.

Until the early 1900’s, natural pearls were accessible to only the rich and famous. In 1916, famed French jeweler Jacques Cartier bought his landmark store on New York’s famous Fifth Avenue by trading two pearl necklaces for the valuable property.

Today, with the advent of pearl cultivation, pearls are affordable and available to all. Cultured pearls share the same properties as natural pearls and are grown by live oysters. The only difference is a little bit of encouragement by man.

Pearl Gifts

Throughout history, pearls have been the gift of love. That’s why tradition has made them the bridal jewel. No other jewel conveys the warmth, depth of feeling and eternal qualities of that emotion.

Giving the gift of love is easy with cultured pearls. As cultured pearls come in a wide variety of styles and jewelry choices, there’s a perfect pearl gift for everyone.

Suggested Occasions Sweet Sixteen • Birthdays • Valentine's Day
Mother’s Day • June Pearl Birthstone Month
Weddings • Anniversaries
Christmas • Graduation
Business Promotions

Pearl Gifts
Necklaces • Multi-strand Bracelets
Mabe Pearl Pendants
"Add-A-Pearl" Necklaces
Pearl Cluster Ring • Single Pearl Rings
Stud Earrings
Mabe Pearl Earrings • Tassel Earrings
Cluster Earrings • South Sea Pearl Drop Earrings
Brooches • Cufflinks • Tie tacks

Pearl Fashion Tips

Collar — 12 – 13 inches. Pearl collars are usually made up of three or more strands and lie snugly on the middle of the neck. Very Victorian and luxurious, pearl collars go best with elegant V-neck, boat neck or off the shoulder fashion

Choker — 14 – 16 inches. A pearl choker is perhaps the most classic and yet versatile of all the single strand lengths. A simple pearl choker can go with virtually any outfit from casual to fancy evening wear, and just about any neckline imaginable.

Princess — 17 – 19 inches. The princess length necklace is best suited for crew and high necklines. It also complements low plunging necklines. Hint — it’s perfect support for a pendant or pearl enhancer.

Matinee — 20 – 24 inches. Longer than the choker, and just a bit shorter than an opera length, the matinee necklace is the right choice for casual or business dressing.

Opera — 28–34 inches. The opera necklace is the queen of all the lengths. When worn as a single strand, it is refined and perfect for high or crew necklines. When doubled upon itself, it serves as a versatile two strand choker.

Rope — Over 45 inches. Dripping with elegance and sensuously sexy, the pearl rope was a favorite of Coco Chanel. Ask your jeweler about mystery clasps placed in strategic locations around the necklace that will enable you to break it down into multi-strand necklace and bracelet combinations. For those looking for the complete pearl wardrobe, this length is a must.

Pearls Make Holiday Shopping Easy

The holidays are a time for family and friends, office parties, and romantic snuggles by the fire. But unfortunately, the approach of the holidays also means it is time once again to spend endless hours in the mall searching for the perfect gift for each person on your list.

Holiday shopping is bound to drive even the most seasoned shopper crazy, and often choosing a gift can seem like mission impossible. Fortunately, there is one simple solution when selecting gifts for the women in your life- jewelry. What woman wouldn't appreciate and adore a gift of fine jewelry, especially Japanese Akoya cultured pearl jewelry.

Available in a wide range of styles and prices, cultured pearls can be affordable or extravagant, classic or ultra-modern. A gift of cultured pearls is sure to delight any woman, from the fashion forward hipster to the classic minimalist, and with a little advice and knowledge, shopping for pearls can be easy and even enjoyable.

For a thoughtful gift for the hard-working career women who does it all, a classic strand of cultured pearls will do the trick. A cultured pearl strand is a must-have in every woman's jewelry wardrobe and can be worn with everything from a business suit to a cocktail dress to jeans.

What better way to start the fine jewelry collection of a teenage daughter or niece than with simple Akoya cultured pearl earrings. Cultured pearl studs will take a young woman through the most important events in her life, from her prom night to her first job interview to her wedding day. Pearl earrings are a gift that constantly will remind its recipient of the day they were bestowed upon her.

Chances are your mother or grandmother already has a much-treasured strand of Akoya cultured pearls. A matching bracelet or brooch is the perfect gift to show her how much you love and cherish her.

For men, buying for a wife or girlfriend is probably the hardest mission of all. You want to get her something that shows her how much you care, something feminine and fashionable, and, most importantly, something she won't want to return. Dramatic cultured pearl drop earrings or a modern multi-strand collar are gifts she will cherish for many years.

According to the Cultured Pearl Information Center in New York, while cultured pearl jewelry is the perfect holiday gift, it is best to be knowledgeable about cultured pearls before buying them. You should always buy from a reputable jeweler whom you trust.
By knowing what quality factors cultured pearls are judged by, you can be sure you are getting the best quality that your budget will allow. The most important are:

1. Lustre- Lustre refers to a combination of surface shine and a deep, almost three-dimensional glow emanating from within the heart of the pearl. To judge luster, look at your reflection in the surface of the pearl. The clearer and crisper the reflection, the better the lustre and more valuable the pearl. Any pearl that looks too dull or chalky indicates a lower quality pearl.
2. Surface- Because cultured pearls are created by nature it is rare to find a pearl that is completely free of any surface blemishes, like pits, spots or small bumps. Still, the fewer the blemishes on a pearl, the more valuable it is.
3. Shape- The rounder and more symmetrical a pearl, the more valuable it is. However, baroque pearls, which are irregular in shape and often cost less, can be very beautiful.
4. Color- Akoya cultured pearls come in a variety of colors from silver/white to cream to rose. While color of a pearl is really a matter of preference, usually rose or silver/white pearls tend to look best on fair skins, while cream and gold-toned pearls flatter darker complexions.
5. Size- Cultured pearls are measured by their diameter in millimeters. Akoya cultured pearls from Japan range from 2 millimeters up to 10 millimeters. Other factors being equal, the larger the pearl, the more valuable it is.

Akoya cultured pearl jewelry is the simple solution to all gift-giving dilemmas and, armed with the advice and information above, holiday shopping can be easy and painless.

Real Men Wear Pearls

If you think women are the only ones who can wear pearls, think again. According to the Cultured Pearl Information Center (CPIC) in New York City, black pearls have the potential to become a world-wide masculine jewelry statement.

This anticipated black pearl fashion trend is inspired by the many chic young men who have been spotted wearing gun-metal grey pop beads as accessories to their anything but feminine ensembles.

But beyond the fashionably street-wise men who sport these popular necklaces, the metal pop-bead phenomenon has even permeated popular men's fashion. John Bartlett and Pelle Pelle, for example, both used the shimmery metal necklaces as accessories for their Spring 1998 shows.

"If men are wearing these metal beads, why shouldn't they wear black pearl necklaces," says Devin Macnow, Executive Director of the CPIC. "We hope this trend will grow on a large scale, making the cultured pearl category open to men as well as women," he said..

As a result of the much sought-after metal beads, the CPIC feels a cultured baroque Tahitian pearl necklace, far more valuable and just as chic-looking as the beads, is bound to catch on.