Category: Pearl Jewelry

Mother of pearl jewelry is among the prettiest and more versatile collections of accessories that a woman can wear. Given that a woman can put on a simple yet elegant necklace and matched pair of earrings to go out in the use of pearls is something that is pleasing to the eye without being overboard. Worn with an evening gown or with a pair of jeans the right pieces of jewelry add to the mystery of a woman without being too flashy or gaudy. While gold and silver have their place a one of a kind necklace that is created from a strand of pearls adds to any outfit that a woman can wear.

As a man who appreciates when a woman dresses up for him, I like to see the more unusual pieces of jewelry being worn when I am escorting my wife out to dinner or a play. While she owns a collection of gold and silver necklaces and pendants it is the sophistication of mother of pearl that looks the most amazing on her. Whether we are having a casual lunch together or dressing up for an evening that requires a more formal approach to our attire the accents of jewelry only enhance the beauty of the woman that I married.

On the occasions when my wife is dressed down she still finds an item of jewelry to complete her look. With natural gemstone jewelry she can adorn her neck with a pendant that is tasteful and elegant while still being casual in jeans and a blouse. Like many women that love to accessorize with items of jewelry that are unique in their design I find that my wife appreciates the gifts that I give her. Whether for her birthday or our anniversary or at other times of the year when I come across a piece of jewelry that I think she will enjoy I make it a point to purchase gifts that are thoughtful and that I know she will appreciate.

Although I do not give jewelry as often as I would like to, I do find that I am rewarded at the times when I surprise my sweetheart with a new set of earrings or mother of pearl jewelry that is perfect for any occasion. A romantic at heart I know that when it comes to my wife I want her to always look her best which is why I make it a point to complement her daily and treat her like the beautiful queen that she is.

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Mother of pearl is incredibly popular in the Middle East, making it a huge part of many of our most popular Holy Land gifts. That very popularity has done what greed and the desire for profit usually do, however, and encouraged many mother of pearl retailers to begin manufacturing “fake” mother of pearl (iridescent plastic) and market it as the real thing. So how can you tell when it’s real and when you’re looking at a fraud?

What is Mother of Pearl?

Before you can accurately launch a quest to differentiate real mother of pearl from a cleverly disguised fake you should know what mother of pearl is. Mother of pearl (also known as nacre) is, quite literally, the “mother” of today’s pearls. It’s the iridescent layer of material that makes of the shell lining of many mollusks and is made up of plates of aragonite combined with an organic material that strongly resembles silk to make it both strong and flexible and suitable for use in jewelry making.

When an irritant comes into contact with the mother of pearl the organism forms a large bump around it to create an actual pearl.

How to Tell if It’s Mother of Pearl or Just Pretty Plastic

There are many opinions out there on how to differentiate real mother of pearl from fake when you’re shopping in wares from the Middle East. One savvy shopper recommends a bit test (if possible), stating, “If it doesn’t click, its plastic.” Beware, they break. Others say real mother of pearl is usually colder than room temperature. If you happen to be talking about buttons or small accessories you can usually look at the reverse side to get a feel for whether it’s plastic or real mother of pearl.

Go Straight to the Source

Over time you’ll develop a feel for accurately determining which products contain real mother of pearl and which simply clever fakes are. Until then, consider asking retailers for the source of their products. Remember, real mother of pearl comes from mollusks and therefore originates in areas where these organisms can be found. It’s native to the Middle East, but chief sources for today’s products come from the pearl oyster, freshwater pearl mussels and abalone.

Pearl oysters used commercially are found in the Persian Gulf, the Red Sea, the Mediterranean Sea, the Indian Ocean and parts of the Western Pacific. Some are also harvested in the waters off the Australian coast, particularly the Shark Bay pearl oyster. Certain species are also harvested off the coasts of Fiji, Tahiti, Myanmar, Baja and the Philippines.

Freshwater pearl mussels are listed as an endangered species but are still harvested by permit. They are native to the northern regions of the world, specifically eastern Canada and New England, Russia and Continental Europe.
Abalone is considerably more common and much less endangered and can be found along the coastal waters of every continent, with the exception of certain parts of the eastern Atlantic. Most are harvested in the cold waters off the southern coasts of New Zealand, South Africa and Australia as well as certain parts of western North America and Japan. Inquiring into the source materials of your products should give you a very accurate idea of whether you’re dealing with the real thing or a cleverly disguised piece of iridescent plastic.

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Pearls are timeless and very trendy and age does definitely does not matter when you wear them. For any occasion, wear them to enhance that woman in you!

On the other hand, these wonderful features will highly rely upon certain factors. Examining pearl quality is not difficult at all! All you need is a critical mind and eye.

In order to competently examine pearl quality check these factors.

1.Nacre Thickness
Nacre is the substance that provides the luminous property of pearls. This deposit is formed when the natural protective instinct of a mollusk covers a certain substance that enters it. The thicker the nacre goes the more dazzling a pearl becomes. A measure of 0.25mm is thin for nacre. Meanwhile, 0.35 to 0.5mm is medium thickness and. Generally, 0.5mm is already regarded as very thick.

2.Luster
Luster is the remarkable gleam seen on real pearls. If a pearl stays longer inside the mollusk, it will possess a higher luster. High quality pearls have an equal reflection all throughout the surface and appears very shiny. Meanwhile if its luster appears to be subdued, then you have the fake one.

3.Shape and Texture
Additional aspects to determine pearl quality are shape and texture. The most valued among pearls are the ones that are perfectly round and flawless. If a pearl happens to have several exterior flaws, then you are looking at a poor quality pearl.

4.Color and Overtone
The reflection that materializes on the surface of the pearl creates its color, while the overtone is the interior pearl color where the deeper light is reflected. Standard light colored pearls are shades of white, cream and gold. If a pearl has green and blue shades, expect that it would come cheaper. If you really want the best quality pearls, look for a white pearl with pink overtone or a black pearl with green or blue overtones.

5.Size
Pearls are measured in millimeters. The highest quality pearls are the largest ones. Pearl size is determined by the size of the implant that was introduced during its cultivation process. If you want the traditional size, look for one that measures 7mm.

6.Surface Quality
Also determine pearl quality by checking the surface for any blemishes such as uneven color, marks or indentations. If you see very few or absence of these, then you are most probably holding a genuine high quality pearl.

7.Matching
Last but absolutely not the least; examine pearl quality by observing its matching in terms of shape, size and color. This is very essential when you want to know the quality of a pearl. If the pearls happen to be perfectly matched, then thats a sign of its high quality.
When you buy, you should never miss out quality for price. Those with high quality are the smart buys because you can be sure that you will be able to use it for a longer period. But wait, what you just learned are just the basics.

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Regardless of religious beliefs or views, it is hard to find anyone that does not find the Dali Lama reverent. Here are 15 nuggets of truth he has uttered over the years. Regardless of when they were stated, they still apply today.

1. Anything that contradicts experience and logic should be abandoned.

2. I myself feel, and also tell other Buddhists that the question of Nirvana will come later. There is not much hurry. If in day to day life you lead a good life, honesty, with love, with compassion, with less selfishness, then automatically it will lead to Nirvana.

3. We can live without religion and meditation, but we cannot survive without human affection.

4. I pray for a more friendly, more caring, and more understanding human family on this planet. To all who dislike suffering, who cherish lasting happiness, this is my heartfelt appeal.

5. With realization of one’s own potential and self confidence in one’s ability, one can build a better world.

6. If you want others to be happy, practice compassion. If you want to be happy, practice compassion.

7. Where ignorance is our master, there is no possibility of real peace.

8. My religion is very simple. My religion is kindness.

9. We can live without religion and meditation, but we cannot survive without human affection.

10. True compassion is universal in scope. It is accompanied by a feeling of responsibility.

11. Under the bright sun, many of us are gathered together with different languages, different styles of dress, even different faiths. However, all of us are the same in being humans, and we all uniquely have the thought of I, and were all the same in wanting happiness and in wanting to avoid suffering.

12. We must recognise that the suffering of one person or one nation is the suffering of humanity. That the happiness of one person or nation is the happiness of humanity.

13. For those who may not find happiness to exercise religious faith, it’s okay to remain a radical atheist, it’s absolutely an individual right, but the important thing is with a compassionate heart then no problem.

14. All major religious traditions carry basically the same message, that is love, compassion and forgiveness … the important thing is they should be part of our daily lives.

15. Love and compassion are necessities, not luxuries. Without them humanity cannot survive.

Many religious and philosophical figures are considered controversial. By accepting all religions and all views, the Dali Lama appears to transcend such concerns. Give some thought to his views above and how they might improve your life.

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It is always said that a womans best friend are diamonds. As a matter of fact, pearl necklace tops as one of the most popular jewelry and has been hugged as well by millions of women for it is appropriate to formal or informal dress at the same time. Generally speaking, pearl can be divided into three different categories. The first one is scarce and expensive natural seawater pearl. The second is cultured pearl. The last is imitation pearl which coats the inside surface of a hollow glass bead with the pearl mixture. You should choose the pearl necklace depend on your own needs.
As regards the length of pearl necklace, it has a variety of styles, including the choke (14-16inches), the princess necklace (17-19inches), the matinee necklace (20-25inches), the opera necklace (26-36inches) and the rope pearl (37inches or longer).Each length performs different functions.
The choke (14-16inches) is appropriate with everything from casual to formal eveningwear, and complements almost any neckline. The perfect length to add subtle elegance to your workday paired with a button-down shirt.
The princess necklace (17-19inches) is the most common length for pearl necklaces. It is well suited for crew and high necklines. It also complements low, plunging necklines. Because 18 inches is considered the classic length for pearl necklaces, this is excellent choice if you are not certain which strand length is most appropriate.
The pearl matinee necklace (20-25inches) is an ideal choice for casual or business attire. It looks best with high necklines and adds sophistication to a professional look. The matinee length is also very well suited for fancier wear such as long sundresses and formal gowns. The extra length of the matinee necklace gives the wearer a sense of luxury and confidence.
The opera necklace (26-36inches) offers many attractive options. It can be worn as a single strand with high necklaces or doubled to create a fashionable two-strand choker. It can be knotted at the neckline or above the bust to create a stylish vintage look that is gaining popularity as a contemporary fashion trend. Traditionally, opera length necklaces are worn with eveningwear, although using them to accessorize more casual attire has become a fresh, cutting-edge fashion statement.
The rope pearl (37inches or longer) can be both elegant and sexy. It can be made with several clasps, enabling it to be broken down into different necklace and bracelet combinations, or doubled and even tripled to create a stunning multi-strand choker.?This versatile length may also be tried in a knot for a charming modern look reminiscent of the height of 1920s flapper fashion. A very popular trend seen in high-fashion magazines today, pearl ropes can also be knotted and slung over the shoulder to accentuate the beauty of a backless dress

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