Archive for February, 2010

Tahitian pearls have recently grown in popularity, and for good reason. Their lovely array of intense, dark colors (from black, peacock, pistachio, to even blue!) is unusual and stands out when compared to the classic white of Akoya pearls. In fact, the range of colors is so large that these pearls are fairly rare – especially black! Have I managed to pique your interest yet? Well, read on and you’ll be truly hooked!

One of the intriguing things about Tahitian pearls is that they aren’t actually produced in Tahiti, but rather on/around islands throughout French Polynesia. They all come from the same type of oyster, though. The black-lipped oyster (pinctada margaritifera) is the only one in the world to produce the intense colors that Tahitian pearls are known for. Though they are farmed in a wide range of areas, only the ones in the area around French Polynesia can be called Tahitian! Before the advent of modern culturing techniques, these oysters were farmed nearly to extinction, and the pearl industry didn’t gain momentum there until the 1960′s.

As I mentioned earlier, these pearls are known for their wide variety of colors. Perhaps they are most well known for producing the only true black (any other pearl has to be dyed to achieve that color) but their lovely orient means that endless color variations are possible. Even black often has gray or green overtones! In general, the body colors are mostly black, gray, green, brown, or blue. The overtones may be gold, blue, silver, eggplant, pink, or peacock green. Black pearls with peacock overtones are the most valuable; however, there has recently been a surge in demand for pearls with lighter colors such as pistachio. Because of the huge amount of possible body color/overtone combinations, it is hard to find a perfectly matched pearl necklace. Nevertheless, even necklaces made of many colors are strikingly beautiful.

Tahitian pearls are generally on the large side – from 8mm to 14mm – and are required to have .8mm of nacre. Anything less is not released for sale. This guarantees pearls that are lustrous and more resistant to chipping. They also may come in the same variety of shapes as any other type of pearl with the addition of a “circled” or “ringed” shape. Ringed pearls have tiny grooves covering more than a third of the pearl’s surface, giving them a unique shape.

One thing to keep in mind when buying Tahitian pearls is that the grading system is different from that used to grade Akoya. The Tahitian system uses grades A through D, with A being the highest. Grade “A”  pearls have high luster and little to no visible surface flaws over 90% of the pearl’s surface. “B” is medium-high luster with some visible flaws confined to less than one third of the surface. A medium luster pearl with flaws that cover more than a third is rated “C”. Finally, a pearl receiving a “D” grade will have flaws covering at least two-thirds of the surface. Luster is not considered.

The vibrant, almost metallic colors that are found in Tahitian pearls make them a great choice for anyone wanting to stand out in a crowd. These pearls can’t help but draw the eye. From intense blues, greens and blacks, to lighter, pastel shades, there is something for everyone. Their unique ringed pearls are also a great option! Just be aware that you’ll have to navigate a different grading system when you buy.

While the most common type of pearl necklace consists of one or more strands of pearls, there are many others out there. One example is the single pearl necklace. Now, if you search online you may notice that a single pearl necklace may refer to either a necklace with a single strand or a necklace consisting of a chain and a single pearl – almost synonymous with a pearl pendant. It is the latter type that I’d like to talk about today – these necklaces are just as beautiful as their more traditional counterparts yet they are often ignored in spite of their advantages.

First of all, wearing a pearl pendant means you can avoid some of the stereotypes/generalizations that pearl ropes tend to carry. Pearls have long been seen as a status symbol; however, they are also a symbol of maturity and age. In fact, many people believe longer necklaces or necklaces with bigger pearls should be reserved for mature, wealthy women who have “come of age.” The result is that pearl strands are considered inappropriate for some age groups. For example, a young girl or young woman who wears pearls that are too long or strands that are too big may seem as if she is trying to be too grown up. This more traditional view is waning to some extent, but whether you subscribe to it or not, a single pearl necklace sidesteps the issue altogether. There are also many variations on the market, so finding the perfect gift for someone you love is easy. For example, we all know that heart jewelry is popular around Valentine’s Day, and, in fact, many of these designs incorporate pearls. Heart shaped pendants with a pearl in the center are often called a “caged” pearl necklace and are classy and elegant.

These necklaces are also very affordable. Traditional pearl necklaces take quite some time to assemble due to the difficulty finding pearls that are well matched in overtone, body color, and luster. Even earrings require hunting through possibly thousands of pearls for a good match. The time and difficulty required are passed on to consumers in the form of higher prices and the longer your pearl necklace is (and the higher the quality) the more you can expect to pay. For a high quality pearl rope of Akoya pearls, you can expect to pay over $50,000 and possibly close to $100,000! (Don’t believe me? Do a quick check on Amazon and see for yourself. By the way, I’m discounting the AAAA or AA+ quality pearls here – those ratings are not recognized by the industry, but more on that later.) In contrast, if you only need to pay for one pearl you can get quite a bit more for your money – more in the range of $1000 or less but you can get some nice pearls for under $100 also.

Now if (perhaps) you’d like to get a single pearl necklace, consider your options. Do you prefer natural or cultured pearls? Natural ones are more valuable due to their rarity and thicker nacre though cultured pearls are less expensive and of comparable quality. Furthermore, think about the color you would like, then decide which type of pearl suits you best. If you’d like a genuine black pearl as opposed to dyed, you will want to look for Tahitian pearls. South Seas pearls tend to be known for their golden overtones, though they are available in white as well. Akoyas are the industry standard and are known for their rose, silver, or cream overtones. Finally, freshwater pearls are available in nearly every possible color but black, so take that into consideration when making your choice. As always, if you want a natural pearl, please consult with a gemologist or make sure the pearl is certified before making your purchase!

So there you have it. Single pearl necklaces are beautiful and affordable when compared to strands. They provide a delicate, modern look, and may be perfect for young women who want pearls but don’t want to look too grown up.  And because you’re only buying one pearl, your options are wide open!

This post is going to be fairly short, but I just wanted to share a video from Honora Pearls that I found on Youtube. This video not only shows the differences between natural and cultured pearls, but also shows the various types of cultured pearls available, including Akoya, South Sea, and Freshwater Pearls. It’s worth watching – so far I haven’t been able to provide any visuals but this video will show you the colors each type has, its main characteristics (ie which shapes are most prevalent for each type) and best of all, you can see what high quality pearls from each variety look like. They really do a great job! Enjoy

While most necklaces are described by their length (i.e x amount of inches long), pearl necklaces actually have different names for each length and type. It is important to know which is which so you get exactly what you’re looking for! Here I’ll describe each type and note the types of clothing or necklines that each pearl necklace matches the best.

A collar describes a necklace that is 2 or more strands (in fact they are usually 3 or more), sits in the middle of the neck, and is usually 12 to 13 inches long. Though these were most fashionable in the Victorian era they are making a comeback. Pearl collars look elegant and chic with v-necks, boatnecks, or an off the shoulder style.

Pearl chokers are, at 14 to 16 inches long, a very popular choice. These necklaces sit just above the collarbone (I wish I had a visual, but for now, descriptions will have to do!). They are both classic and versatile and will add a touch of elegance to nearly any outfit.

The most common type of pearl necklace is the Princess. A princess length necklace is between 17 and 19 inches long and should sit around the outside of the collarbone. This length looks great with either crew and high necklines or very plunging necklines. A great choice for any woman – if you don’t know which type to get, choose this one!

Matinee length necklaces are approximately 20-24 inches and should hit at the top of the bust. Though this length is best suited to semi-formal attire, it also works with more casual wear and is the number one choice for a business setting.

Opera length refers to  a necklace between 26 to 36 inches long, hitting just above the midsection. As you can imagine, the name comes from the fact that this length was a common choice for a formal night out. It is still traditionally paired with evening wear, but its length does allow for a great deal of versatility. You may choose to double it for a look similar to a choker or collar, or knot it for a look similar to that which was popular with 1920s flappers. The doubled version would look great with crew or high necks.

A pearl rope is generally 45 inches or more, even though technically any length over 36 inches could also be considered a rope. These are generally worn only for the most formal of events, though like the opera, a rope may also be doubled or knotted. Another option is available in the form of convertible necklaces – these have multiple clasps, allowing you to shorten your necklace or even wear part of it as a bracelet.

So there you have it – six different types of pearl necklaces, from the collar to the rope. One thing to keep in mind when making your decision is the connotation that longer necklaces carry. Traditionally, longer necklaces or necklaces with larger pearls were reserved for more mature or wealthy women. Therefore, a pearl rope wouldn’t necessarily be recommended for a teenager as it may appear to others that she is trying to be overly mature. In that case, a choker or princess length may be a safer choice. As always though, the length of your pearl necklace ultimately comes down to personal preference. If you don’t like following tradition, don’t!