JOHNSON’ S JEWEL LERS PEARLS THE BIRTHSTONE OF JUNE
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Pearls have been treasured for thousands of years. For most of human history ,the only pearls to be had were formed naturally. Divers would hold their breath,collect a mollusc from the depths and hope to find a pearl within its shell. Pearls were not only seen as a symbol of wealth and power, but also of purity, wisdom and integrity.
Pearls can be found in saltwater oceans and freshwater rivers and ponds. Saltwater pearls are produced by oysters and , typically, only a single pearl is found per shell. In contrast, freshwater pearls are sourced from mussels and many pearls can be found in a single shell.
Perhaps the most significant thing to be aware of in the world of pearls is the difference between natural and cultured. Natural pearls are formed without human intervention, typically when a tiny irritant agitates the body of an oyster. To protect itself, the oyster covers the irritant with a layer of nacre, or mother of pearl, with its characteristic iridescence.
Because of this rarity, the vast majority of pearls today are cultured pearls. The cultured pearl process requires intervention and was developed in Japan in 1893 by Kokichi Mikimoto. The process involves implanting a small shell bead along with a tiny piece of mantle tissue inside a live oyster. These nucleated oysters are placed back in the water and begin to secrete layers of nacre around the bead to create a pearl. This allows pearls to be harvested in much larger quantities and with far more precision.
If you would like to add pearls to your jewellery collection, there are some important things to look out for. When it comes to value, the general rule is the larger the pearl the higher the price. However a pearl’s luster and iridescence are vital for its beauty
and the way light ripples across the surface. Finally a perfectly smooth, round and blemish-free is far more desirable, although unusual baroque pearl shapes can often have a wonderful sense of character.
Clean your pearls with a soft cloth after you wear them to ensure they remain free of harmful compounds. Pearls are best kept in a soft-cloth pouch or a soft jewellery box. Contact with any acids such as hairspray, cosmetics, perfumes and fake tan can damage pearls, so we recommend putting your pearls after letting your hairspray and perfume dry.
Johnson Jewellers 50/51 Queens Road, Nuneaton, Warwickshire, CV11 5JX Telephone 02476 347 038
www.johnsonsjewellers.co.uk
LIVE24-SEVEN.COM
FASHION, HEALTH & BEAUT Y JOHNSON’ S J EWE L L ERS
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