| When you think of pearls, you probably recall the Hollywood starlets who helped make them famous: Audrey, Jackie, Grace – even Marilyn. These classically elegant ladies seemed to wear pearls as an extension of themselves. Whether worn snugly against a collarbone or cascading to near-waist lengths, pearls came to symbolize style.
The beauty of pearls lies in their amazing variety. Find the right style for you.
Cultured pearls
Cultured pearls are created when an irritant, such as a parasite or a piece of shell, works its way into an oyster’s soft tissue. To defend itself, the oyster secretes a crystalline substance around the irritant to protect itself, creating a beautiful pearl. The difference between a natural pearl and a cultured pearl is that, with a cultured pearl, technicians carefully implant an irritant into the oyster.
A classic strand
Akoyas are the classic white cultured pearls that make up the timeless strand necklace. Typically found in the cooler ocean waters of Japan and China, Akoya cultured pearls are usually white with silver or rosé overtones. They can also come in colors of gold, cream and bluish gray and are prized for their silky, liquid luster.
Pearls for a special night out
Just right for a night on the town, Tahitian cultured pearl jewelry is ideal for those who appreciate the beauty of pearls, but prefer a palette with less pastel. Known for their incredible, exotic shades, they are produced by the black-lipped oyster primarily in French Polynesia. Tahitian cultured pearls are natural in color and are produced in hues of silver, gray, green, orange, gold, blue, purple and black.
Pearls best suited for casual wear
Freshwater cultured pearls are the perfect choice for everyday jewelry. These pearls are unique due to their often-irregular shapes and amazing color variety. Popularly priced, freshwater pearls are more affordable than their saltwater cousins. Yet, new techniques have created large, colorful, symmetrical pearls that rival the brilliance of traditional saltwater beauties.
Larger-sized pearls
If you believe that bigger is always better, these are the pearls for you. South Sea cultured pearls are large cultured pearls grown in white-lip oysters. Generally ranging in size from 9mm to 17mm, they’re incredibly large compared to other pearl varieties. These substantial pearls range in color from white to gold, with silver, cream and champagne in between.
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