South Sea Cultured Pearls- Pinctada maxima: Produces 1 pearl pear shell.
Black Tahitian Cultured Pearls- Pinctada margaritifera: Produces 1 pearl per shell.
Akoya Cultued Pearls- Pinctada fucata martensii: Produces an average of 4-5 pearls per shell.
Freshwater Cultured Pearls- Grown in varieties of freshwater mussels. Produces up to 100 pearls per shell.
Source: Paspaley
www.dillonpearl.com
Wednesday, January 30, 2008
Monday, January 21, 2008
Baroda Pearls
Christie's Magnificent Jeweles Auction on April 25, 2007
Reported by Gary Roskin, G.G. FGA
In a third case was a jaw-dropping diamond and pearl necklace created by the 100-yearl old Indian design firm Bhagat. Its center was an old-style-cut pearl-shape diamond weighing 13.31 cts., and it was accented by diamonds in rose cuts, briolettes, and faceted beads as well as a seed-pearl tassel.
The highlights were the Baroda Pearls-a suite of large natural pearls including a double-strand necklace, earrings, brooch, and ring-and a 22.66 ct. Kashmir sapphire.
The suite of natural pearls, once owned by the Indian Maharajas of Baroda, sold for $7,096,000. The centerpiece is a double-strand graduated pearl necklace strung by Cartier using 68 natural pearls from the Maharajas' colletion. The pearls measure from approximately 9.47 mm in the back to 16.04 mm at the center.
The $7 million hammer price is reportedly the largerst ever paid for a suite of natural pearls of the size and quality. The sizes of these oriental pearls were impressive, especially in the necklace's 16 mm center pearl. That pearl, an important piece in its own right, has a hammered appearance, as if the nacre had been worked by an oyster with bench training. Also noteworthy were the nace quality and luster of the earring drops.
Rarity was an important factor in the final sale. Many of the pearls were noticeably off-round, and all were more creamy than off-white. This is not unexpected for natural pearls, but the building up to the auction created an expectation of something even more impressive.
At the back of the necklace, Cartier added a platinum clasp with a substantial old-mine-cut round brilliant diamond weighing approximately 8.57 cts. Along with the necklace was a pair of ear pendants, so called because each earring highlighted a drop-shape natural pearl, each measuring approximately 13-15 mm wide by 22 mm long, enhanced by old-European-cut and old-mine-cut diamonds, with a button-pearl top, each measuring approximately 12.5 mm wide by 10 mm thick. A brooch set with an oval natural pearl, measuring 17 by 19 by 15 mm, and a natural button-pearl ring rounded out in the suite.
Originally printed in JCK July 2007 by Gary Roskin, G.G., FGA
Tuesday, January 1, 2008
Diner Finds Pearl in Plate of Clams
LAKE WORTH, Fla. (Dec. 31) - A Florida couple could be having an extra happy new year after finding a rare purple pearl while eating a plate of steamed clams. George and Leslie Brock stopped into Dave's Last Resort & Raw Bar on Friday during a day at the beach. George Brock was about halfway through a dozen clams when he chomped down on something hard - a rare iridescent purple pearl.
www.dillonpearl.com
Thursday, November 29, 2007
Fashion Tips
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 fashions.
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 neck-lace is best suited for crew and high necklines. It also compliments 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 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 bout 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.
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 fashions.
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 neck-lace is best suited for crew and high necklines. It also compliments 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 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 bout 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.
Source: Cultured Pearl Information Center
Quality
Surface: Cleanliness refers to the absence of disfiguring spots, bumps or cracks on the surface of a pearl. The cleaner the surface of the pearl, the more valuable.
Shape: Since cultured pearls are grown by oysters in nature, it is very rare to find a perfectly round pearl. However, the rounder the pearl, the more valuable it is. Baroque pearls, which areasymmetrical in shape, can be lustrous and appealing, and often cost less than round pearls.
Color: Cultured pearls come in a variety of colors from rose to black. While the color of a pearl isreally a matter of the wearer's preference, usually rose or silver/white pearls tend to look best on fair skins while cream and gold toned pearls are flattering to darker complexions.
Size: Cultured pearls are measured by their diameter in millimeters. They can be smaller than one millimeter in the case of tiny seed pearls, or as large as twenty millimeters for a big south sea pearl. The larger the pearl, other factors being equal, the more valuable it will be. The average sized pearl sold today is between 7 and 7-1/2 millimeters.
Shape: Since cultured pearls are grown by oysters in nature, it is very rare to find a perfectly round pearl. However, the rounder the pearl, the more valuable it is. Baroque pearls, which areasymmetrical in shape, can be lustrous and appealing, and often cost less than round pearls.
Color: Cultured pearls come in a variety of colors from rose to black. While the color of a pearl isreally a matter of the wearer's preference, usually rose or silver/white pearls tend to look best on fair skins while cream and gold toned pearls are flattering to darker complexions.
Size: Cultured pearls are measured by their diameter in millimeters. They can be smaller than one millimeter in the case of tiny seed pearls, or as large as twenty millimeters for a big south sea pearl. The larger the pearl, other factors being equal, the more valuable it will be. The average sized pearl sold today is between 7 and 7-1/2 millimeters.
Source: Cultured Pearl Information Center
Learn Pearl Variety
Learn Pearl Variety
Akoya (Grown in Japan and China) Akoya pearls are the classic cultured pearls of Japan. They are the most lustrous of all pearls found anywhere in the world. In recent years, China has been successful in producing Akoya pearls within their own waters. However, at this time they are unable to produce as brilliant a lustre as high quality Japanese Akoya cultured pearls.
White South Sea (Grown in Australia, Myanmar and Indonesia)White South Sea cultured pearls are grown in large tropical or semi-tropical oysters in Australia, Myanmar, Indonesia and other Pacific countries. They generally range in size from 10mm to 20mm and command premium prices because of their relative rarity and large size.
South Sea Black (Grown in French Polynesia)South Sea Black cultured pearls are grown in a variety of large pearl oysters found primarily in French Polynesia. Their beautiful, unique color and large size can command very high prices.
Freshwater (Grown in Japan, China, and The United States)Freshwater pearls can be found in bays and rivers throughout the world. They are easily cultivated from fresh water mollusks in China, Japan and the United States. Many are less lustrous than salt water cultured pearls but their low price, unique shapes and colors have made them popular jewelry items.
Mabe (Grown in Japan, Indonesia, and Australia) Mabe pearls are hemispherical cultured pearls grown against the inside shell of an oyster rather than within the oysters body. They generally are used in earrings or rings which conceal their flat backs.
http://www.dillonpearl.com/
Akoya (Grown in Japan and China) Akoya pearls are the classic cultured pearls of Japan. They are the most lustrous of all pearls found anywhere in the world. In recent years, China has been successful in producing Akoya pearls within their own waters. However, at this time they are unable to produce as brilliant a lustre as high quality Japanese Akoya cultured pearls.
White South Sea (Grown in Australia, Myanmar and Indonesia)White South Sea cultured pearls are grown in large tropical or semi-tropical oysters in Australia, Myanmar, Indonesia and other Pacific countries. They generally range in size from 10mm to 20mm and command premium prices because of their relative rarity and large size.
South Sea Black (Grown in French Polynesia)South Sea Black cultured pearls are grown in a variety of large pearl oysters found primarily in French Polynesia. Their beautiful, unique color and large size can command very high prices.
Freshwater (Grown in Japan, China, and The United States)Freshwater pearls can be found in bays and rivers throughout the world. They are easily cultivated from fresh water mollusks in China, Japan and the United States. Many are less lustrous than salt water cultured pearls but their low price, unique shapes and colors have made them popular jewelry items.
Mabe (Grown in Japan, Indonesia, and Australia) Mabe pearls are hemispherical cultured pearls grown against the inside shell of an oyster rather than within the oysters body. They generally are used in earrings or rings which conceal their flat backs.
http://www.dillonpearl.com/
Stringing and Blending
Stringing and Blending
Because no two cultured pearls are ever exactly alike, pearl dealers must cull through about 10,000 pearls to find enough that are so closely matched that they can be assembled together to make a single necklace. Here, closely matching pearls are blended to be strung into a beautiful necklace.
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