To celebrate our One Year Anniversary and Valentine’s Day, we are pleased to introduce our glamorous pearl collection specially made and designed in Italy!

Ever wondered what is all the talk about "freshwater", "saltwater" and "cultured" pearl? Why are some pearls white in colour, some pink and some even black? What exactly to look out for when purchasing pearls?

Hopefully after reading this month's sharing, we can help to shed some light on some of the jargons used in the marketplace and more importantly, guide you on your next purchase of one of nature's most beautiful creation!   

Some interesting facts about Pearls:

1. "Saltwater" vs. "Freshwater" pearl

This defines the habitat which pearls grow in. Saltwater pearls come from oysters and mussels in oceans, seas and bays. They are usually high quality and more expensive than freshwater pearls. Examples include Akoya and South sea pearls. Freshwater pearls, on the other hand, are found in mollusks in rivers, lakes and ponds. They are generally more irregular and varied in shape than saltwater pearls. Some examples are Biwa and Mabe pearls. 

2. "Natural" vs.  "cultured" pearl

Our demand for pearls has outstripped the supply of natural saltwater or freshwater pearls around the world, thus raising their prices. The Japanese were the first to develop technology for cultured pearl, whereby the mantle (outer membrane) of a 3 year old saltwater oyster is cut open and between 1 and 20 mother-of-pearl beads implanted. The bead, or nucleus, stresses the oyster which in response deposits nacre over it, thus creating a pearl. Natural pearls are mainly derived from the Persian Gulf and Red Sea, while the cultured ones are from Japan, China and Australia. 

3. Colour of pearl

The colour of a pearl depends on the variety of mollusk it comes from and on the type of water habitat. It is a mixture of body colour and luster (overtone). For example, a "black" pearl could have a dark grey body colour with green or pink overtones.  White-rose (white with rose overtone) is the rarest and most desirable colour of akoya pearls, hence would command the highest pricing. Needless to say, natural coloured pearls would have a higher value than any dyed or irradiated pearls. 

4. Factors influencing pricing of pearls

• Size/shape: Off-round pearls are more readily available and affordable than full-round ones. 
• Surface luster: Luster is the sharpness and intensity of images reflected in the pearl's surface. High luster generally means that nacre layer is thick and the pearl will last for a long time. Look for evenness of luster by spotting for dull, pasty areas on the pearls.
• Surface quality: Surface defects such as spotting, raised bands, splits and colour spots will devalue a pearl. 
• Make: This describes the overall quality of a row of pearls. Lay the pearls on a flat surface and see if they sit side by side. If they have not been drilled centrally, this may cause the pearls to project out to one side. 
• Colour: The body colour of pearl should be even, without mottling or discolouration.

Finally, always remember that many factors can play tricks on your eyes and be used by jewelers to their advantage to clinch a deal. In order to judge the colour or luster of a pearl, always view them in diffused natural daylight and assess them on a neutral medium-grey surface rather than a bright white or black background. 

Wishing all an early Happy Chinese New Year and Valentine's Day and we hope you enjoy your next pearl shopping experience! 

Adapted from ‘The Jeweler's directory of gemstones' by Judith Crowe