Jan 26, 2010

Factors That Determine the Quality of a Pearl

If you wish to purchase pearl jewelry then it is better to be certain about the method and various factors considered while determining the pearl’s quality. These factors include:

Luster – It indicates the quantity of light reflected from the surface of the pearl. The more the surface of the pearl glows, the better is its quality. In other words, luster of superior quality pearls is bright and shiny as compared to lower quality pearls. You will be able to see your clear mirror-like reflection on the pearl if it has a high degree of luster whereas blurry reflection indicates lower quality pearl.

Surface Perfection – This is one of the most significant and critical feature. Good quality pearls are expected to have the least blemishes on their surface. However, natural ones tend to have imperfections and blemishes due to the brushing of sea particles against them. These imperfections could be cracks or bumps on the surface.

Color – Pearl are available in various colors including white, pink, cream, black and many more. White and Pink rose colored pearls are preferred most since they compliment almost every skin tone. Pink ones are comparatively more expensive than other pearls because of their rarity. The quality of color can be judged based on how evenly the color is distributed on the it.

Shape – Pearls exist in seven basic shapes including ringed, baroque, drop, button, off-round and round. Among these, perfect round shaped pearls are very rare and hence more valuable.


Image Source: http://www.pearlparadise.com/images/education/PearlInfo-Shape-WEB.jpg

Size – The price of the pearl is generally affected by its size. Larger pearls are highly priced. Their diameter is measured for determining the size which is measured in millimeters (mm).

Like diamond’s quality is verified by their four Cs, pearls should also be verified for the characteristics that determine whether they are of superior or inferior quality. Check out best quality and beautifully designed cultured
pearl jewelry from B2CJewels.

Types of Pearls in Pearl Jewelry

After diamonds and gemstones, pearls are recognized as most hunted ones. Their innocence and classic look make them desirable for adding a pinch of elegance to the sophisticated look of a woman.

A pearl can be natural or cultured. Natural ones are the ones formed naturally without any human intervention, while in cultured pearls, foreign matter or particles are intentionally entered by man during its creation.

The basic types of pearls are freshwater and saltwater pearls. Both can be either natural or cultured. Freshwater pearls are formed from freshwater mussels and saltwater ones are created in saltwater and grow in oysters, wherein only one pearl is grown in one oyster.

The pearls used in jewelry are Akoya, Tahitian, South-Sea, Cortez, Keshi, Mabe, Conch, Melo Melo, Abalone and Scallop Pearls. Among them Akoya, Tahitian, South Sea, Cortez, Keshi and Mabe pearls are Cultured pearls and Conch, Melo Melo, Abalone and Scallop Pearls are Natural ones.

Among all of them, the most popular ones are Akoya, Tahitian and South Sea Pearls:

Akoya Pearls

These are cultured pearls and formed in Akoya oyster. They are considered as the classic pearls. They are usually light colored like white, cream, rose etc.



Tahitian Pearls

They are created by Black-Lipped oyster and are dark colored. They are usually larger in size since the oysters in which they are formed are bigger.



South Sea Pearls

These are the largest commercially produced pearls and are larger in size than other pearls.

Jan 6, 2010

Design Your Own Engagement Ring

Engagement rings depict eternal and everlasting love and the pleasant acceptance of a commitment for lifetime. This love and affection is usually expressed with a diamond. A colorless diamond is the traditional gemstone used for an engagement ring. and brings about a sparkle and glitter to the ring.
Every couple prefers a unique engagement ring and hence wishes to create an exceptionally designed ring rather than selecting a pre-set engagement ring. This uniqueness can be brought about by selecting the right diamond and the ring setting.


Selection of the right diamond:

Loose Diamonds

Select the Diamond Shape – Every diamond shape cannot be fixed or look suitable with every available setting. Hence the process of choosing the diamond shape goes hand-in-hand with the selection of the ring setting. In addition to this, there have been shape preferences among to-be-brides as well. Although Round shaped diamonds are the most common ones, Princess cut diamonds are also liked by women. Oval and Marquise cut diamonds look suitable on short fingers.

Choose the 4C’s – The Cut, Color, Clarity and Carat of the diamond mutually determine its quality and hence its price.

Opt for Certification – All gemological laboratories provide a report for the selected diamond. This report certifies the genuineness of the diamond and mentions all its details.

Selection of the ring setting:

Engagement Ring Settings

Select the Ring Style & Setting – The diamond shape and ring style together bring about uniqueness in the ring. Apart from solitaire rings, many other styles are preferred by couples including accent rings, three stone rings etc.
The widely used diamond setting in engagement rings is the Prong setting. Other settings include Bezel, Pave, Illusion setting and many more.

Choose the metal – Although yellow gold was most popular for jewelry, white gold and platinum are usually preferred for engagement rings nowadays, platinum mainly for its durability feature.

Since an engagement ring is a symbol of lifetime loyalty and trustworthiness, making it special would be every couple’s desire. And this can be done by designing and customizing it personally. With so many diamond shapes and ring styles, creating a unique engagement ring can be easier.

Jan 4, 2010

Garnets Are the Perfect Gift for This Month

It’s the beginning of a fresh new year and the birthdays of some special ones are soon to arrive this month. Refresh their senses for a lucky and cheerful year ahead with their energetic and mind-pleasing red birthstone- Garnet, which is rightly know as the ‘stone of passion’.

Garnets usually tend to help build blood cells in the body and heal issues like arthritis, and mental disorders. The deep burgundy red color of Garnet has the power to stop nightmares, cool down anger and also evoke sexual desires. It symbolizes friendship, love, loyalty and devotion, while all this makes it a perfect accessory for gifting others.

Look at some wonderful designs of Garnet jewelry available at the best prices at B2C Jewels-