There are many varieties of pearl, both real and fake, and it’s not always easy to tell the difference between those that are genuine and those that are imitations. Even amongst genuine pearls there are many different classes of both natural and cultured varieties, all with their own different properties and all valued very differently as pearl jewellery. You don’t want to be fooled when buying pearls, so here are a few ways to help differentiate between a genuine pearl and a fake: The Tooth Test Many people say that by rubbing a pearl against your teeth you can tell whether it’s real or fake by the feel of its surface. Genuine pearls usually have a rougher, more irregular texture whereas fakes are glassy and [...]
Posts Tagged ‘pearl jewellery’
How to Differentiate between Genuine and Imitation Pearls
May 6th, 2011 
goldfinger 
Posted in Jewelry Buying Advice 
Tags: fake pearls, pearl earrings, pearl jewellery, pearl sets, pearls, real pearls 
No Comments »No chance of giant pearl from UK’s biggest ever oyster
April 18th, 2011 goldfinger The biggest oyster ever found in the UK turned up in a fish marked in Plymouth last weekend. Narrowly escaping becoming someone’s luxury dinner the giant shellfish, which has been dubbed ‘Shelly’, measures 7” across and weighs 3lb. It’s currently residing in the local aquarium, where it is on public display and proving to be quite the celebrity. Unfortunately for fashionistas who are loving the current revival of pearl jewellery though, there’s no chance of a giant hidden gem inside the shell, because Shelly is the wrong type of oyster. It’s an especially large example of the edible oyster, the only species that live in the English Channel. Although edible oysters do secrete a hard substance called ‘pearls’ it is of no value, unlike those [...]
Posted in Jewelry Buying Advice Tags: pearl earrings, pearl jewellery, pearl sets, pearls No Comments »How to choose the perfect pearls
April 17th, 2011 goldfinger For thousands of years pearls have been worn by the rich and glamorous, and given as rare and expensive gifts. Traditionally worn by new brides on their wedding day, for thousands of years they have been a symbol of love, purity and perfection. Nowadays pearl jewellery is available to more people than ever before, and you no longer need to be royalty to afford it. Pearls of all shapes, sizes and colours are grown on farms around the world and with so many varieties to choose from any bride-to-be can find the perfect pearls to suit her wedding gown. In fact there are so many varieties that it can be difficult to know what to look for, so here are a few things to look [...]
Posted in Jewelry Buying Advice Tags: freshwater pearls, jewellery, pearl jewellery, pearl jewelry, pearl necklace, pearls No Comments »How are Freshwater Pearls and Saltwater Pearls Different?
April 13th, 2011 goldfinger Most people when they imagine a pearl are picturing perfect large round spherical gems, creamy white in colour with a shimmery iridescent surface. In fact pearls come in many different shapes, sizes and colours and to find one that is completely round is almost unheard of, not to mention trying to make a whole necklace of pearls that are all more or less the same. Natural pearls are the rarest and most highly valued variety, but nowadays most pearl jewellery is made from cultured or farmed pearls, which are grown on pearl farms across the world by inserting a bead nucleus inside an oyster or mussel shell to encourage the formation of a pearl. Apart from whether a pearl is cultured or natural the other [...]
Posted in Jewelry Buying Advice Tags: freshwater pearls, pearl jewellery, pearls, saltwater pearls No Comments »
