There is very little that is more beautiful and classy than a pearl necklace but you will have to do a bit of research before you buy any pearl jewelry because there are several misconceptions around. Let’s look at the most common ones.
Cultured pearls are not real pearls.
Cultured pearls are real pearls. A pearl is created when an intruder settles inside the oyster’s mantel. The oyster, as a self defence mechanism, will start to cover it with layer after layer of calcium carbonate which over time will become a pearl. In nature this process is fairly rare, it is said that only 1 in 10,000 oysters will produce a pearl. Cultured pearls means that the intruder is placed artificially by man to start the process but the rest of it is as natural as it can be in most cases.
Freshwater pearls are not real
Tahitian black pearls
Freshwater pearls are real, freshwater means the water of lakes and rivers unlike saltwater that is the water of seas and oceans. There are oysters that can make pearls living in lakes too. It is true that the market is full of cheap Chinese freshwater pearls, there are real pearls but of a low quality. The Chinese tend to culture oysters in colder water to produce a pearl earlier but that also means that the nacre, which is the outer layer or mother of pearl, is not very thick. You can also find good quality freshwater pearls.
Black pearls are not real pearls.
There are natural dark pearls, they will mostly be Tahitian black pearls although very rarely they are actually really black but they are fairly large dark pearls. Many pearls you find on the market these days are dyed pearls quite often Chinese Akoya pearls which tend to be small in size. These are real pearls that have been dyed.
After you have done your research and decided which type of pearl you would like and your budget, go to a well known retailer as you do not want to be charged too much for pearls that are not of the quality you think you are buying.
Tahitian Black Pearl Necklace in 14K White Gold
A 14K white-gold necklace set with one semi-round Tahitian Pearl, 8-9mm and blackish in color, on a Lite Box chain, 16 inches in length. Pearl color may vary. Approximately 5/16″
List Price: $ 145.00
Price: $ 145.00
Tahitian Black Pearl Strand with Diamonds in 14K Yellow Gold
A strand of graduated semi-round Tahitian Pearls, 8-11mm and mixed in color, 17-18 inches in length, with a 14K yellow-gold clasp set with thirty-one faceted round Diamonds totaling approx. 0.185 carats, total weight.
List Price: $ 6,995.00
Price: $ 6,995.00
10.2mm Peacock Black Tahitian Pearl Pendant 14k White Gold Bail
- Genuine big black Tahitian Pearl
- 14k white gold bail
- box for gift warp.
Material: Tahitian Sea Pearl;
Diameter: 10.2mm;
Shape: AA round shape;
Color: Peacock Black;
Luster: AA Great luster;
Surface: AA Smooth surface;
Holder: 14k white gold.
List Price: $ 125.00
Price: $ 125.00