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Historical Information About Pearls

A Century of Pearls

Many pearls are now bought from China.  Since trade routes opened up again in the nineties., the price of pearls has dropped by about a fifth in the past 10 years.  The Chinese are certainly making waves in the pearl world with their cheaper prices.  The Japanese have suffered disease in their pearl beds as well as facing competition and are finding it hard to compete with China's prices. 

Until 100 years ago flawless, round, natural, large white pearls were prized more than precious gemstones.  The finest of pearls then came from the Persian Gulf and South India.  For everyone, but the richest people of a nation, fake pearls were the only alternative as the cost was so high for a string of real pearls.  Fine south sea pearls still command a high price, but the rarity value of real pearls was so great in the early 1900s that an early American skyscraper exchanged hands for the price of a pearl necklace.

Mikimoto's Cultured Pearls

In the 1890s Kokichi Mikimoto of Japan began production of highly desirable cultured pearls by placing a small bead into an oyster shell.  The bead coated itself with nacre (mother of pearl) and so good looking pearl jewels became more affordable. 

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Affordable Freshwater Pearls For You

Similar methods of cultivation are used extensively today in the Far East where starter beads of varying shapes are used in mussel shells and other shells and left to mature in freshwater lakes and rivers.  The resultant nacre coated beads from this process then become known as freshwater pearls.

Since China opened its doors to the western marketplace the price of freshwater pearls has dropped.  Finding a reputable supplier though is always a challenge as the fittings, findings and stringing used can also make or break the look of a piece. 

Now reasonably priced pearls are available to everyone today.  Both fake and real freshwater, or cultured pearls are very affordable if you find the right dealer and especially if you trade with an expert designer such as Marilyn Jones at Pearls Plus.

Pearl necklaces and pearl earrings can lift a woman's complexion and bring light and radiance to the face helping melt away years off a woman whatever her age.  A matching real freshwater pearl necklace will enhance the skin and lift it so that it glows and glimmers with luminosity.  If you are feeling jaded do yourself a favour and invest in some quality freshwater pearls.

Combinations of pearl necklaces and earrings come in and out of fashion with regularity so pearls are a must in any fashion wardrobe.

They can be enhanced and be made to look different by the addition of semi precious stones such as jade, lapis lazuli, turquoise, pink or blue lace agate, amethyst, carnelian or mother of pearl as well as Swarovski crystal.  In addition, the beautiful freshwater pearls Marilyn uses come in a wide selection of colours, and can be made with gold or silver fittings giving you an even wider choice.

Pearls are wonderful.  They suit any age and being easy to pack and post or carry in a pocket are the perfect gift to slip into someone's hand at Christmas, Valentine's Day, Birthdays, Weddings, Anniversaries, Graduations or just to say you care that you know someone as beautiful and special as a pearl.

Just make sure that once you have bought your pearls you know how to care for pearls.

Sections of article by Pauline Weston Thomas reprinted with permission.

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