Pearl Jewelry The Shape Of Things To Come

Traditionally, the standard for pearl jewelry has been to use white or near-white cultured pearls, freshwater pearls, or natural pearls that are perfectly round. The white, round beauties have been treasured because, in the world of pearl jewelry, they are rare. Increasingly, however, women are appreciating the uniqueness and versatility of pearls in a variety of shapes and colors – just as nature makes them. If you’ve always thought of pearls as white and round, it’s time to think again.

Pearl Shapes

Round – Traditional round cultured pearls are often used for pearl bridal jewelry, the traditional pearl necklace, and other cultured pearl jewelry, like pearl stud earrings.

Rice – Rice pearls are small and shaped irregularly, and have crinkled surfaces.

Potato – As its name implies, potato-shaped cultured pearls have irregular oblong shapes.

Oval – Shaped like an egg, these saltwater or freshwater pearls are usually white.

Mabe – This pearl is flat on one side, giving it a dome shape.

Keshi – Also known as poppy seed pearls, these are tiny freshwater pearls.

Button – This round freshwater pearl is flat on one side.

Coin – Like the button pearl, except it is flat on both sides.

Baroque – These freshwater pearls are completely free form, having no pre-determined shape.

Circle – Also called the ring pearl, this saltwater pearl has concave, concentric lines.

Pearl Colors

Freshwater pearls, which are often used for fashion pearl jewelry, grow in virtually every color of the rainbow. They are an affordable – though no less beautiful – alternative to traditional white, round saltwater Akoya pearls. Black Tahitian pearls, which are also saltwater cultured pearls, have overtones of peacock and silver and are most often have semi-round, baroque, and circle shapes.

Pearl Fashion Jewelry – What’s Hot Now

Freshwater pearl jewelry offers women an incredible variety of accessory options. This season, look for multi-strand keshi (seed) pearl necklaces that combine different colored pearls, such as pink, peach, hazel, and brown for a stunning fashion statement. For formal occasions, multi-strand necklaces featuring a single color of keshi pearls – such as gray or black – are the perfect accessories.

Black Tahitian pearl bracelets and shimmering oval freshwater pearl bracelets are adorning the wrists of fashionistas this season, while brides are selecting classic Akoya pearl stud earrings as well as fashion forward freshwater pearl wedding jewelry that incorporates light pink or golden pearls.

The next time you treat yourself – or someone special – to the gift of pearl jewelry, remember that the beauty of pearls comes in many shapes and colors.

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Unique Jewellery Made From Pearls Are Making A Come Back

If you think of unique jewellery designs then pieces that have pearl set in them will come to mind as these beautiful natures gifts are starting to make a comeback. You will find these set into many designs, rings, pendants, jewellery sets, bracelets and necklace are now all to be seen adorned with pearls.

Gone are the days when we thought of pearls as being stuffy and old fashioned and they have now become the on trend fashion accessory. You will see them set into unique jewellery designs on their own or set with gemstones like Rubies, Sapphires, Emeralds, and diamonds. You will also see many semi-precious pieces like Rose Quartz, Aventurine, Jade, Amazonite and Amethyst that have pearls to accompany them in their unusual and original designs.

If you imagine wedding jewellery the images or pairs of earrings, necklaces, pendants, bracelets and jewellery sets that have been handmade from pearls will come to mind and when the designers create this handmade designs for a womans special day they may add crystals to the designs and pearl jewellery have now become the favourite wedding accessory. You will not only find pearls in the unique jewellery designs but you will see them embroidered into the dress, and embellishing shoes and bags. These have become an all around favourite.

When we look back through history we see that pearls were worn by Royalty and Nobles and these were worn by both men and women. Today it is usually women that you will see were designs that include these are worn. They are fast becoming the latest fashion item and because natural pearls can be very expensive many of the fashion designers are creating earrings, bracelets, necklaces and pendants crafted from glass pearls so that these lovely designs are available to everyone on any budget. Long multi layered necklaces are very fashionable as are lots of bracelets stacked up your arm.

In the 1920s the demand for pearls was on the increase and many of the Art Deco unique jewellery designs included pearls. This is when the Japanese started the industry of freshwater pearls where they cultivated these lovely pearls from freshwater muscles. These donor muscles were inserted with irritants and each of these muscles could then produce up to 40 pearls each. These means that the colour and the shape of the pearl can be controlled offering us a wide choice from which the designers can create their unique jewellery designs. The Chinese have now taken over the production of these.

It is not only the pearls that are used to create these unusual and original designs but even the Mother of Pearl molluscs are used to create stunning designs and you will find these made into beads that are used to create beaded jewellery designs and also polished and used as a inlay not only in jewellery but in other accessories like hair slides, belts and bags and you will find it as an inlay in furniture and other decorative items.

The classic pearl necklace and earring jewellery set is making a big come back with the popular retro look as we all look back to the 1950s for inspiration for fashion ideas. Many of these sets can be found in second hand stores and charity shops and many of the large unique jewellery collections are now producing these and it is now the young and trendy women that are wearing these designs not just your grandmother.

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Pick Pearl Jewelry At Affordable Price In Kolkata

For past so many centuries pearl jewellery has been immensely popular amongst the emperors, kings, queens and other rich and famous people. Pearl jewellery is actually accepted as a sign of position and status. Even today, the pearls are extremely popular choice of people all over the world. With the prices of gold and diamonds going out of the reach of the common man, the desire to acquire some amazingly beautiful jewellery can be fulfilled by investing in pearl jewellery. Pearls look very classy and elegant. Unlike the ornaments made out of gold and other precious stones, pearl jewellery can be worn for special occasions and daily, without carrying a look of being overdressed.
Kolkata is one of the biggest metropolitan cities of India. There a lot of scope for any talented Jewelry Designer in Kolkata. Thankfully because of the talented jewellery designers today, there is some amazing variety of Pearl Jewelry at affordable price in Kolkata as well. Gone are the days when the residents of the city use to depend on the places like Hyderabad for getting hold of some exquisite pearl ornaments. One can find pearl ornaments made out of natural and cultivated/ cultured pearls. Natural pearls are quite rare and are hence very heavily priced as well. Although, pearl enthusiasts would probably declare that cultured pearls are nevertheless fairly impressive, maintaining this luxury and magnificence. The ornaments made from cultured pearls also allow you to own some amazing jewellery pieces, nonetheless with a less expensive price tag.
Today, the jewellery designers in the city are experimenting a lot with pearl jewellery. They are creating some astonishing fashion pearl jewellery. This segment of fashion pearl jewellery is becoming hugely popular amongst the young and fashion conscious crowd of the city. There are several styles of bead fashion pearl jewellery now available in Kolkata and each and every piece has different style and look. This by any chance just doesnt mean that the variety of designs in the ethnic pearl jewellery is not readily available in the city. The leading jewellery stores of the city have some really amazing and diverse range of pearl ornaments coupled with variation in design plus colours.
Some people prefer coloured ones and other desire to posses the mirror-reflective, white coloured pearls. One can choose from a variety of ornaments like, bracelets, necklaces, pendants, nose pin, bangles, tie pins, brooches, etc. Pearls will always be symbolic of type, class, elegance and sophistication. The reputed and talented Jewelry Designer in Kolkata understands the preferences and likings of the residents of the city. They are well aware of the fact that no one can resist the temptation of possessing Pearl Jewelry at affordable price in Kolkata. The various leading jeweler outlets in the city have some amazing pearl ornaments to suit the needs, taste and pocket of the residents of Kolkata. They also offer great discounts and provide a certificate of authenticity on all their products. So, simply go ahead and grab your dream pearl necklace now!

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Wonderful, Magickal, Mustika-pearls Part 2

Some of the characteristics and virtues of mustika-pearls are intensely curious and interesting. Below we present just a few of these :

The pearl from the dugong (called “Ikan-duyung” in Indonesian) for instance, floats in salt water, but sinks in fresh water; this and the crystallized pearl from its tear are good for love-spells. The otter-pearl attracts lots of fishes during fishing trips; the fossilized egg of a crocodile increases one’s sexual prowess; the dew-pearl beautifies one’s aura–the smaller sizes of these pearls when moisten with one’s finger, coheres to it as it is dragged across a smooth surface; the golden carp and bamboo (symbols of wealth, business advantage, and longevity in Chinese lore) -pearls attracts lots of luck and increases prosperity; the centipede pearl helps one to choose the right numbers during gambling; the owl-pearl helps to improve one’s psychic senses; the Galih Kelor seed-pearl wards-off negative energies in the form of black magick and psychic attack; the boar-pearl makes one invulnerable to sharp weapons. Almost all of the pearls have unusual powers and virtues. If one finds an object embedded in a pearl it usually has extra virtues. Generally speaking, the higher nature, power, abilities, virtues of animals/plants are to be found in the pearls. Mustika-pearls, unlike ordinary gem stones and crystals, possesses the combined spiritual blueprints, matrixes and forces of the spirit-animal-mineral or the spirit-plant-mineral kingdoms.

Most mustika-pearl enthusiasts are amazed at the size and diversity of the pearls. Take for instance the centipede pearl, these sometimes measures 1 cm or more in diameter. The size itself could cause some skeptism as we normally think of centipedes as small creatures; yet, in the jungles of Sumatra they may grow to be as long as a meter in length! The quality and type of centipede pearls differ depending on which region they come from. A centipede may also produce four sorts of pearls–one on its head, this is called the “crown.” Another may be found in its stomach; smaller types are to be found among its whiskers, and the most valuable and scarce of them all, the pearl to be found in its mouth–this one is said to glow in the dark and gives one the power of etheric vision.

Most mustika-pearls are of a crystalline nature, and are closely related to the etheric world, perhaps much more than any of the common substances that we normally come across in our daily lives. Each pearl carries the vibrational essence of the Spirit Intelligence in charge of the evolution of the consciousness and form of the animal/plant species allocated to it. Unlike consuming animal meat and substances, close and regular contact with animal and plant pearls have a healing effect upon our body and psyche and raises our energy-frequency, aiding us to transit into a higher consciousness-level, awakening our spiritual senses. Most owners of magickal pearls only look to their physical effect–the true value of a mustika lies in what it can do for one’s spiritual evolution.

In alchemy, the practitioner would seek ways to transmute base metals into gold and to acquire the philosopher’s stone, and the stone of various substances. Nature, the great alchemist, produces animal and plant stones in her laboratory under the appropriate conditions known at present only to Her; we are blessed that these stones are available for healing some of the psychological and physical ills that we constantly suffer.

Mustikas are Nature’s products and come in all sorts of shapes and sizes as alluded to before. Mustikas of the same animal or plant-life may differ in form, color, size, etc. The shape is sometimes given by the lapidary, though normally the original outline is closely followed in the tumbling and polishing process. The point is that the genuineness of a mustika cannot be judged by its appearance alone–but by occult detection. Nevertheless, mustikas do possess high vibrational qualities that most low-caliber psychics toxicated with egoic-debris are unable to detect. Not sensing these they may pronounce a magickal pearl to be a fake.

Mustikas in their original state have a rough texture and requires tumbling and polishing to bring out their true beauty. Lapidaries are often surprised with these mustikas. One fellow commented the strangeness of these pearls–normally, tumbling and polishing ten ordinary stones gives him no aching problem. But just polishing one of these mustikas makes his arm ache all over–and yet, they are probably no harder than the average agate stone–some are even brittle. Not knowing the origin of these pearls, he then suggested that they must be enchanted. Indeed! A further shock was when he discovered that one of them changed color when it was immersed in water. This is quite interesting as most magickal pearls do have unusual physical characteristics.

Choosing a mustika for one’s personal use may require careful thought. It should be noted that the consciousness of God pervades all of Nature, and in each creature we have the dynamic Divine Intelligence expressing in a certain way with certain virtues. Thus, the spiritual attribute that we wish to develop may be a factor in one’s choice of an animal or a plant mustika-pearl. Studying Nature–animal psychology, behavioral-patterns and instincts or the Doctrine of Signatures of the plant kingdom and the symbolism of both would be a rewarding venture for those intending to acquire mustika-pearls for personal use.

If one has no actual purpose in mind or preference, one should choose a pearl that coincides closely with one’s Totem-animal or the animal that harmonizes well with one’s Chinese zodiacal sign.

One’s Totem-animal may be known by careful introspection; by sensing a special affinity with an animal or feeling the animal that one resonates well with. Totem animals may also be known through constant dreams of the animal; through meditation/intuition; by one’s childhood obsession or longing for the animal as a pet; of the psychological identification with the animal itself or by the animal that one is most attracted to or fears most; by constant pictorial or concrete imagery forms of the animal arising in some manner, etc. If one often dream of tigers, and as a child found joy in fantasizing about the animal, this may indicate that the creature is one’s Totem-animal. Sometimes the knowledge of one’s Power or Totem animal is acquired during a crisis–during a physical encounter with the animal, for instance; or during unusual circumstances the knowledge is brought to the awareness. Knowledge of one’s Totem animal may be acquired through a “VisionQuest.” In Native American-Indian society this VisionQuest is mandatory as part of the rite of passage presented to the young. This quest entails fasting and seclusion in nakedness in a sweatlodge where a vision of a Totem-animal is unexpectedly presented by the Great Spirit to the consciousness of the child undergoing it. Tokens of the animal may be discovered subsequent to the vision in the surrounding area. This quest may be undergone by anyone willing to acquire the vision after due preparation.

The Totem animals are the projection of the elements of one’s inner consciousness representing the area or quality in one’s spirituality that requires balancing, harmonizing, or developing. Carrying a mustika-pearl of the animal in question serves as an aid in attuning with the Spirit-Guardian/Intelligences of the animal and helping us to administer to our soul-need and harmonize the imbalances in the psyche. It also helps to transfer the great wisdom or skill that each animal possess to our inner being.

Choosing a mustika-pearl based on one’s Chinese sign is also a good method for determining what pearl would be best for one. Naturally this method and the one above does not apply to plant-pearls. These latter can be worn by anyone with great benefit.

The Chinese Zodiacal signs are grouped into four :

Chinese Zodiacal Animals

Pig Rabbit Goat

Rat Monkey Dragon

Cow Chicken Snake

Tiger Dog Horse

If you happen to be a Goat, one suitable pearl would be the Pig (Wild Boar) or Rabbit. If you are a Rat, the pearl that would best complement you is the Monkey-pearl or the Dragon- (dragon-snake) pearl. Substitutes may be used if a pearl from the exact creature is unavailable. For instance, the pig-pearl may be substituted by the wild-boar pearl; the ape or gorilla for the monkey; the dragon-snake for the dragon; the wild-dog or wolf for the dog.

One might also choose a mustika-pearl on the basis of its color as related to a chakra. A pearl with the associated color of a chakra vibrationally enhances the chakra and its psychological expression while aiding in removing any pathological elements related to it.

Another possible alternative of choosing a magickal pearl is the element-color method. Whatever element one lacks in his astrological nature may be complemented with a mustika of the appropriate color. If a person has an abundance of water in his psychological make-up, he may choose a color other than blue, as blue represents water. Following are the colors and the elements as given by one system of correspondence :

Red–Fire, Blue–Water, Green–Earth, Yellow–Air.

Mustika pearls of plants and animals may be chosen for their value in occult workings and rites. Every mustika-pearl has its mystical virtues that may be tapped and appropriated for the purposes of the Magickal Operator. The occult practitioner would study the attributes of the animal or plant in order to know which is especially required for certain magickal operations.

If one has absolutely no idea what mustika-pearl would be best for one’s general well-being, health, spiritual development, and prosperity, one could submit the question to a shaman who is attuned to the Intelligences of Nature. The shaman would choose that which is appropriate for one’s present evolutionary development, keeping in mind the subject’s well-being in both spiritual and mundane matters. It is also possible to acquire the necessary information from one’s Higher Self, one’s Inner Guide.

Once having obtained a mustika, one might wonder what can be done with it or how to harness the power that it possesses. Whatever virtues a mustika possesses would be transferred to us by simply carrying or wearing it for some time. The effects of the mustika may be perceived after several weeks or so depending on the virtue sought. Greater powers such as invulnerability against sharp weapons as that given by the wild boar pearl may take a greater period of constant proximity with the pearl before it may show some effects. The time factor may be quickened by following certain disciplines such as constant attunement-sessions with the elemental spirit/pearl and drinking/showering with the water or elixir of the pearl. These elixirs or enchanted water/oil carry no physical properties of the pearls, but they do carry the vibrational quality and essences of the spiritual aspect of the animals or plants from which they have been derived.

Steeping pearls in a glass of water for half an hour empowers the water with its energies. Steeping it for several hours under sun or moonlight would imbue the water with a greater amount of the pearl’s vibratory energies and essences; abundant life-force of a plant/animal mustika-pearl are channeled into the water. The spiritual blue-print in the pearl containing information of the animal/plant are also infused into the water. This is a supplemental nutrient for the various psychic components within man. Whatever force is embued in the water by the steeping process is transferred to one’s physical and subtle bodies impelling them to resonate at higher frequencies where diseases of mind, body, and soul are non-existent and cannot exist. The enchanted pearl-water has a deep impact upon the nervous and blood-system.
Generally, plant pearls affect more of the physical and etheric bodies while animal pearls the astral and spiritual side of man.

Drinking mustika-pearl water assists in one’s reintegration with the Cosmic Intelligence; this cannot help but improve one’s sense of oneness and harmony with all of Nature. This has a tremendous psychological import in one’s approach to life, transmuting negativity into positivity. Mixing the pearl-waters of various mustikas is permissible. Once having studied the powers, virtues and healing properties of each pearl, a blend may be made of the waters to achieve a specific result. Constant attunements with the pearls helps to intuitively know their powers.

Mustika-pearl water should be made in a tranquil environment.When drunk, the water acts as a tonic effect to the body, healing physical ailments, psychological problems, balancing the chakral energies, and promoting spiritual awareness and growth. Pearl-elixirs using an alcohol-base may also be made. Nowadays, in the New-Age market, gem, crystal, and flower elixirs may be easily acquired. There is no company as yet, however, producing mustika elixirs. When properly made, these mustika-elixirs would possess more power and have a greater effect than the ordinary ones produced from gem stones and crystals.

That mustika-pearl water possesses healing virtues, many people including ourselves have personally determined to be true. It would be superfluous and unnecessary to relate case histories; one would have to experience this for oneself.

Aside from its consumption, mustika-pearl elixirs and water–and even oil–may also be anointed or massaged into the body. The pearl-fluid may be applied to the various points or chakral vortices along the main and secondary channels of the subtle body where the energy-flow is blocked . Its application helps to break up the psychic toxins embedded in the channels.

Pearl water, elixir or oil may also be placed in a room and left alone for its evaporation. The vibratory essence of the pearl would transmute negative energies in the surrounding area and harmonize the psychological condition of the people moving and living within its influential reach.

Some practitioners believe that the consumption of pearl-water is insufficient to tap the power of a pearl, that a password is required to command the indwelling spirit. There is some truth in this but the password is just a gimmick created by occult practitioners hoping to excite the interest of pearl-owners and increase their clientele. What is actually required is a simple psychic-attunement with the elemental spirit–by calling its name (if known), absorbing its energies by holding the pearl, and explaining to it the purpose of steeping the pearl in a glass of water. This communication with the pearl-intelligence may be formulated into an affirmation or decree–they should be specific so that the elemental-intelligence knows the healing or work that is to be conducted.

Mustika-pearls should be handled with great care as some of them are fragile. They should also be anointed often with aromatic oil such as sandalwood or “zafarron.” When not in used they should be stored in a proper case with some flowers in it. Spirit elementals delight in the aroma of flower essences–the anointment and the placing of flowers are gestures of appreciation for their aid.

Copyright 2006 Luxamore

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How Do Your Pearls Rate

Purchasing pearls does not have to be difficult if you know what you are looking for. Some people have even passed up very good deals on pearls because they do not know how to tell if they are top quality or imitation.

Pearls have two different grading systems: the AAA-A system and the A-D system.

The AAA-A system is most common with freshwater pearls, but is used in other instances as well.

* AAA is the designation for essentially flawless pearls, with a great deal of luster and almost no apparent defects. Any defects present must cover less than 5% of the pearl’s surface.

* AA means that the pearls have high luster and the surfaces are at least 75% blemish free.

* The rating of “A” is given to a low jewelry grade pearl that displays a small amount of surface luster along with 25% or more surface blemishing.

The A-D Pearl Grading System is used for pearls from Tahiti or the South Seas. Though it is close to the AAA-A rating system be certain which system your pearls are being rated on when purchasing “A” grade pearls.

* The highest grade “A” in the A-D system is used for pearls with a great deal of luster and less than 10% of the surface having defects.

* The rating “B” denotes pearls with high to medium luster and up to 30% surface imperfections.

* Grade “C” pearls have medium luster (and rarely high) with 60% of the surface covered in defects.

* Grade “D” pearls have more than 60% of their surface with imperfections. Even if these pearls have a great deal of luster, the large amount of imperfections makes the pearls substandard in quality, but they are still accepted for use in jewelry. Pearls graded below this level are not approved for use in jewelry.

Here are some top tips that can help you make the best selection to add to your own private jewelry collection.

Pearls are graded in a similar manner to diamonds, and the following 5 categories are involved:

* Luster, shape, color, surface and size of all of these, size is least important when it comes to value.

1. Decide if you want to purchase natural pearls, cultured pearls, freshwater pearls, or a synthetic variety. The natural pearls and some of the cultured specimens will be the most expensive.

2. The luster of pearls is one of the main factors that make them desirable and valuable. Luster is measured in terms of how light reflective the entire pearl surface is. You should choose your pearls based on the degree of luster as opposed to size. Because pearls are naturally formed blemishes often occur, and a small imperfection does not always detract from the appearance. While these minute flaws result in a lower cost to consumers, the amount of luster may be enough to make these pearls an excellent buy.

3. Always remember that larger pearls can be less valuable than the smaller ones because they often have flaws and blemishes. It is extremely rare to find a perfectly round large pearl with high luster and few blemishes.

4. Pearls that are perfectly round are the most desirable, followed by those with a teardrop shape. This should be kept in mind as you make your selections. Large pearls are likelier to be asymmetric, which can appeal to some collectors, especially if it’s worked cleverly into jewelry, but usually they’re less valuable.

5. When you are searching for a quality pearl necklace it is important to look for pearls that are well matched in size, symmetry, and luster.

6. When strung on silk cord, pearls need knots tied between each of the pearls. These knots help protect the surfaces of each pearl and keep them from chipping or bumping against each other.

7. You should always make sure that the pearls you select are from a reputable dealer whom you can trust.

There are different styles of pearl necklaces that you might consider and here are the most common classifications.

* Collar necklaces are those that are made from 3 strands of pearls. These necklaces can accent many of your outfits and are more formal than some of the other necklace options.

* Pearl chokers are roughly 14 to 16 inches in length. Most of them are designed so the pearls rest on the collarbone, accenting the lines of the throat. This is a very classic style that has a timeless elegance.

* Princess necklaces are single pearl strands ranging from 16 to 20 inches in length. They resemble a longer princess necklace and can be worn with casual or formal clothing choices.

* The matinee pearl necklaces are 20-25 inches long and the strand is often doubled so that it resembles a “choker necklace”. These are worn occasionally with casual clothing, but are a fashionable selection for more formal evening attire.

* A pearl rope necklace is quite dramatic with a length of 40-72 inches. The length of this jewelry selection gives it an amazing amount of versatility. The necklace can be tripled up as a high choker, worn around the waist, or threaded through coiffure settings. They can even be used to drape down the back for a low back evening dress.

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