Categories: Pearls, jewelry, Tiffany & Co, Iridesse.com

Pearls are not categorized as a girl’s best friend, but they represent a classic in jewelry accessories. While these smooth, off-white, oval-shaped gems differ from the sparkling facade of the diamond, they share the same preciousness. 

Nevertheless, the pearls conception is not one of a storybook romance. Natural freshwater pearls begin in mussels from merely a diminutive specimen of tissue. In saltwater, pearls are produced by oysters. Both have very similar growth processes. In mussels and clams,  nacres or shell building tissue defends against foreign objects that these sea creatures are unable to expel from their body. In other words, pearls are the by-product of entrapped alien particles.

Regardless of the pearls origins, it is unlike buying a diamond. While the four C’s: color, cut, carat weight, and clarity are the criteria for diamond shopping, there are seven ways to evaluate the quality of a pearl. They include the following:

• Color
• Luster
  
• Matching beads
  
• Nacre (layers of mollusk’s crystalline secretion the core)
  
• Shape
  
• Size
  
• Surface
  

In terms of shopping for pearls, coloration is a personal choice; however, new trends are showing brown pearls coming this fall. As for making the best purchase decisions, shop with jewelers who offer a 30-day money back guarantee. But, do not forget to scour the terms of service for ambiguous policies.

Did you know... Tiffany & Co. developed and owns the retail pearl specialist known as Iridesse. The e-tailer carries pearled jewelry in a wide array of price ranges. One of the best features of the site is the virtual comparison tray, detailing a number of pearl styles, shapes and choices. With Iridesse’s 30-day money-back warranty, consumers are assured of satisfaction and quality--guaranteed.

Related Article:

Shopping for Diamond Carats in the Rough

Holly Bentz (c) 2008 fruitionmedia.net