Posts Tagged ‘ pearl rings ’

Pearl rings are an absolutely gorgeous alternative to diamonds. They don’t sparkle in the sunlight; instead, they quietly glow with their own inner light. However, because they are constantly exposed to the world, they can be more difficult to take care of than a pearl necklace. If you know what to do before you buy, take care of your pearl ring while wearing it, and prepare for the future, you’ll save yourself some heartache later on.

One of the things you can do to extend the life of your pearl ring is to choose the right setting before you buy. You’re looking for a setting that will hold the pearl securely while still protecting it from scraping against the setting itself as well as any other rough surface it may encounter. There are basically two choices that outshine the rest. The first, a bezel, is a simple setting made of a metal band wrapped around the pearl to hold it in place. Although one of the most simple and versatile settings, a bezel does have some drawbacks. No matter how careful you are, at some point (though possibly decades in the future) your pearl will need to be replaced. A bezel setting makes this slightly more difficult, because the setting itself will need to be bent back and then repaired after the original pearl has been replaced.  The other type of setting that works well with pearls is a simple cup, as long as the pearl is securely affixed.

Taking care of pearls is easy as long as you know the rules. Pearls are damaged by heat, acidity, and body oil. They are also one of the softest gems so pearls can be scratched very easily. You have to make sure not to wear your ring while cleaning so that your pearl isn’t damaged by chemicals, avoid cooking with your ring on so that heat isn’t an issue, and be highly aware of your surroundings. If your job means you work with your hands often, the safest way to protect your ring is to leave it at home.

As I mentioned earlier, pearls will suffer enough damage over time that they will eventually need to be replaced. This happens with necklaces too but rings, which come into contact with damaging surfaces and materials more often, will need to be replaced much sooner. Planning for the future is absolutely necessary. Many retailers, both online and brick-and-mortar, let customers pick the pearl and setting separately. If you have a particular type of pearl you’d like, it might be a good idea to buy more than one so that eventual replacement goes smoothly. Also be sure to discuss which setting would be the best before you buy, as pearl experts may have some insights which I haven’t been able to cover here.

Though all of this may seem complicated, being aware of what it takes to keep your pearl looking beautiful will pay off in the end. Your reward will be a unique ring that brings with it a mystical beauty and sparkling inner light.

Pearl rings are absolutely stunning in the right setting. The best thing about pearls, in my opinion, is that they enhance rather than overpower the beauty of their wearer – and that’s exactly as it should be. However, as much as I love them, I have to admit that pearl rings do have some disadvantages when compared to other gems. This shouldn’t stop you from buying one if you truly love pearls, but it’s wise to be fully informed before you make your purchase. There are ways to negate or compensate for all of the negatives.

Interestingly enough, even though pearls in general are less expensive than, say, diamonds, pearl rings can be much more expensive because they are fragile and therefore difficult to set. It’s important to choose the right setting so that your initial expense won’t go to waste. There are two options that are generally considered safe for pearls: a bezel or a cup. Bezel settings will hold your pearl securely in place; however, you may find that this is a drawback if you need to replace the pearl down the road (and you most likely will). A cup will make replacement easier but you need to make sure that it has a secure grip. If you buy online, reputable dealers will often show pictures of their pearls and/or settings to buyers on request, and will also offer advice. Don’t hesitate to ask them for more information! This applies to brick-and-mortar jewelers as well.

While a pearl necklace can be worn everyday with little risk, rings and bracelets are much more likely to suffer from daily wear and tear. If you work with your hands, please don’t wear your ring to work! Pearls are between 2.5-4.5 on the Mohs hardness scale, meaning they are fairly delicate. While they won’t actually break or crack easily, they will scratch and scuff if you bump them. To minimize damage simply be careful, take them off by handling only the metal part of the ring, and avoid cleansers or chemicals. Pearls also tend to take on a more gold or creamy color as they age – there is nothing you can do about this, unfortunately.

I hope the disadvantages don’t discourage you too much. I really do love pearl rings! As I       mentioned above, I like them more than diamonds. If I were to buy a ring, I would make sure to choose a type of pearl with a thicker layer of nacre so that the pearl won’t be so quickly damaged. This means choosing freshwater (because they are all nacre), Tahitian, or South Sea pearls. I don’t necessarily recommend Akoya for these because they aren’t as durable and are more expensive. I would also get more than one pearl for your ring so that you can replace the original when you need to. Finally, remember that many retailers will sell you the pearl and ring setting separately so you can hunt down the perfect combination for you.

photo credit: NATALIA PHOTOS