bds-nb1109.pdf

Notebook 8

Out of their shells

Italian ilm director Federico Fellini once said that the pearl is the oyster’s

autobiography. While oysters probably appreciate the compliment, natural pearls are

actually the result of irritation rather than inspiration. When a foreign object (like a

grain of sand) gets inside an oyster’s shell, the oyster covers it with a material called

nacre to make it less annoying. Natural pearls are the most rare, and are

consequently considered the most valuable pearls. Cultured pearls are formed the

same way, but people introduce the irritants and raise the oysters in a controlled

environment. The majority of pearls sold are cultured pearls. Freshwater pearls come

from freshwater mussels. They are almost always cultured. Many pearls are bleached

to enhance whiteness. Irradiation and dyeing, which can produce virtually any color,

are also common.

Common pearl shapes

Coin

Button

Baroque

Round

Stick

Potato

Petal

Teardrop

Rice

Button pearls are circular, but rounded on

one side and lat on the other. They can be

drilled lengthwise or through the center or

double drilled.

Coin pearls are often lat and shaped like

disks, but they also come in shapes like

teardrops. They can be drilled through their

edges or from front to back.

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Petal or keshi pearls resemble small cereal

lakes. (Handy memory trick: Special K = keshi)

rounded surface. They are available in a

variety of shapes, sizes and 30 colors.

Different hole diameters are available to

accommodate a range of applications. Like

genuine pearls they adapt to the temperature

of the skin and their weight is very similar to

that of genuine pearls. They are resistant to

rubbing, scratching, perfume, sweat, and UV

light.

Potato pearls are oval and can be drilled

lengthwise or diagonally.

Rice pearls are small and shaped like chubby

grains of rice. They are usually drilled

lengthwise.

Stick pearls are long, lat, and free-form in

shape. They can be side, center, diagonally,

or top drilled.

Round pearls are spherical in shape. Natural

round pearls are rare and considered the

most valuable.

Cleaning and storage

Baroque pearls are pearls that have an

irregular shape. The most valuable baroque

pearls are South Sea and Tahitian pearls.

To preserve the nacre, apply cosmetics before

putting on your pearl necklace. Similarly,

remove a pearl ring before you wash your

hands or put on lotion. Wipe your pearls with a

dry or slightly damp lint-free cloth before

putting them away. If you use a moistened

cloth, give the pearls a few minutes to air dry

before putting them away. Never use harsh

detergents, abrasives, or an ultrasonic cleaner

on pearls. Store pearls so they aren’t

scratched by other jewelry — either in their

own compartment or in a soft bag — and

have them restrung periodically because

strands can break.

More shapes:

rectangular

lower

heart

faceted

cross

diamond

Stringing

Imitation pearls are manmade and therefore

consistent in size, shape, and color. These

pearls are manufactured from crystal, glass,

plastic, clay, or other materials.

Silk is the traditional material for stringing

pearls. It has an advantageous combination

of strength and beautiful drape. It knots easily

and is available with a wire “needle” already

attached. It will stretch and show dirt and

wear in time and is more breakable than

beading wire. Restringing silk-strung pearls is

recommended every two years or so,

depending on how often the jewelry is worn.

Crystal pearls are replica of genuine pearls

and are made of a crystal core covered with

and pearl coating, that creates a smooth,

BDS-NB1109

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