- Types Of Pearls -

Akoya Pearl...are cultured saltwater pearls which are cultivated from the oyster species Pinctada fucata martensii, primarily in Japan and China. Renowned for their luster, Akoya pearls are the pearls most often used in necklaces. They are generally white or cream colored, and have overtone colors of rose, yellow, or green.

After the development of modern pearl culturing techniques by Kokichi Mikimoto in the early part of the 20th century, akoyas from Japan became the first pearls to be cultured on a large scale.

The akoya oyster is the smallest pearl-producing oyster, so Akoya pearls also tend to be small, ranging in size from about 2 to 11 millimeters. They also tend to be the most consistently round and near-round pearls, making them ideal in terms of matching for multi-pearl jewelry such as strands, bracelets, etc.

Freshwater Pearl...pearls are often somewhat less lustrous than their saltwater counterparts. However, they appear in a wide variety of shapes and colors, and they tend to be less expensive than saltwater pearls, making them quite popular. Freshwater pearls are also quite durable, resisting chipping, wear, and degeneration.

Freshwater pearls differ from other cultured pearls in that they are not bead-nucleated. Freshwater mollusks are nucleated by creating a small incision in the fleshy mantle tissue and inserting a piece of mantle tissue from another oyster. The result is a pearl composed of solid nacre, and the mantle tissue is eventually dissolved or drilled out, but without a bead nucleus to guide the growth process, the pearls are rarely round.

Tahitian Pearl...Black Tahitian pearls are produced by the black-lipped oyster (Pinctada margaritifera) in the islands of French Polynesia. The oyster itself is quite large -- sometimes up to 12 inches across and weighing as much as 10 pounds -- which often results in much larger-than-average pearls. The pearls are unique because of their natural dark colors.

South Sea pearl...are among the largest commercially harvested cultured pearls in the world. The average size of a South Sea pearl is 13mm, with most harvests producing a range of sizes from 9mm up to 20mm.

The South Seas lie between the northern coast of Australia and the southern coast of China. These waters are the native habitat of the large oyster, the Pinctada maxima. This oyster grows up to 12 inches in diameter, and can be nucleated with a much larger bead than other saltwater oysters such as the Akoya.

Care Of Pearls..."Because pearls are an organic gemstone, they are somewhat different from other gemstones and precious metals. They are softer and more delicate, and they can therefore be more easily scratched, cracked, and damaged. In addition, substances such as perfume and hair spray -- and even natural body oils and perspiration -- can dull pearls' luster or cloud their brilliance. For these reasons, your pearls may require a bit of special care. It's a good idea, for example, to apply perfume, hair spray, and other cosmetics before putting on your pearls. In this way, you can minimize the amount of these products that come into contact with the pearls. After wearing your pearls, wipe them with a soft damp cloth to remove any traces of cosmetic products or body oils. Wash the pearls periodically with a mild soap and a soft cloth, to remove any accumulated build-up. Because of their delicacy, pearls should be stored separately, away from hard jewelry items, to prevent scratches or other damage. If possible, store them wrapped in soft cloth or in a soft-lined container, pouch, or jewelry box. To prevent strand breakage, it's a good idea to have your pearls restrung periodically -- perhaps once a year or so if you wear them often. Knotting the strand between each pearl will prevent all of the pearls from falling off the strand in the event the strand breaks. Also, knotting prevents the pearls from rubbing against one another and causing damage. A little bit of care can go a long way toward insuring that your pearls remain safe and bright for years to come."

- Pearl Necklaces - The "classic" piece of pearl jewelry, of course, is the pearl necklace. Akoya pearls are the most traditional type of pearl used in necklaces, but freshwater pearls, Black Tahitian pearls, and large South Sea pearls are also used, often to stunning effect.

Akoyas, of course, exhibit the traditional white, silver, or cream colors, while Tahitians and South Sea pearls yield necklaces of darker tones. Freshwater pearls can be either white or dark, and are generally more affordable than the saltwater options.

Pearl necklaces come in a wide variety of styles:

Bib: Consists of several strands of pearls of varying lengths.

Collar or Dog Collar: Consists of multiple strands of pearls worn high on the neck. Very popular during the Victorian era, making a bit of a comeback now. 12-13 inches long.

Choker: Similar to a collar, but is worn somewhat lower on the neck. 14-16 inches long.

Princess: Essentially the "classic" length for a pearl necklace, lying slightly below the neck. A versatile style, which can be worn with many different styles of neckline. 17-19 inches long.

Matinee: Traditionally worn for semi-formal occasions, works well with suits and dresses. 20-24 inches long.

Opera: Generally worn at formal occasions with evening dresses. The pearls should fall below the bust line. To be worn during the day in less-formal settings, the strand can be doubled over. 30-36 inches long.

Rope: This is the longest of all pearl necklace styles. It can also be doubled, as well as knotted. Some rope necklaces have multiple clasps, which allow it to be broken down into shorter strands. Over 36 inches long.

The pearls used in a necklace can all be of the same size; or they can be graduated, with a larger pearl in the center and successively smaller pearls running back on each side to the clasp. Whichever style is chosen, good matching of the pearls is important, both for aesthetic reasons and for the highest value.

The size of the pearls in the necklace, while ultimately a matter of personal taste, is also a subject of tradition.

Traditionally, certain pearl sizes are considered appropriate for women of various ages; and the size of the pearls is also considered an indicator of the wearer's wealth and social status.

Smaller pearls (5.5-6.5 millimeters) are generally appropriate for teenage girls and younger women -- say, up to the mid-20s.

Pearls 6.5-8.0 millimeters are traditionally worn by women in the range of the mid-20s to mid-30s. They show a woman who, in a sense, has "come of age," but the pearls still remain modest and not too showy.

Pearls 8.0-9.0 millimeters in size definitely exhibit an aura of status, class, and success. They are traditionally worn by women in their mid-30s to mid-40s. These pearls tend to be more expensive (particularly the larger end of this scale -- 8.5-9.0 millimeters), and so are associated with financial success.

Pearls 9.0-10.0 millimeters are both rare and expensive. They are generally worn by wealthy women of more mature years.

- Mabe Pearls: Half Pearls with Whole Beauty - "Mabe Pearls are quite different from what you might consider “normal” pearls. The reason for this stems from the way that mabe pearls are formed. Mabe pearls are considered to be “semi-spherical cultured pearls”. Instead of growing inside the body of the mollusk creature, as is the case with other pearls, mabe pearls grow against the inside shell."

"This process causes mabe pearls to have a flat side, as opposed to being relatively spherical, or at least rounded like standard pearls. This also explains why mabe pearls are frequently called “half pearls”. Mabe pearls are most frequently produced within saltwater oysters within the regions of Japan, Indonesia, Australia, and French Polynesia."