Pearl is considered as the queen of gems and superior quality pearls are expensive than diamonds. But one has to exercise care and caution while buying pearls or pearl jewellery. The reason is that there are varieties of pearls and it is difficult to identify the precious ones. Quality natural pearls are now rarely available and they are considered as a collectors’ item. They are very expensive too. Most of the pearl jewellery available today are cultured variety. Cultured pearls are cheaper than natural pearls. Imitation pearl jewellery are also widely sold which are inexpensive.
For a lay person it is not easy to evaluate pearls, especially when it comes to cultured and harvested varieties. The value of the pearl depends on many factors. Lustre is the most important among them. The size, colour, surface finish and symmetry are other features which contribute to the value of the pearl. Pearls are found in round shape, drop shape and in egg shape. Pearls of irregular shapes and surface are known as baroque. Large sized pearls will be costlier than the smaller ones. Value of pearl depends on its quality and weight. Pearls which are in perfect round shape are much sought after items by the connoisseurs. Semi round shaped pieces is used for jewellery. Single pendants and earrings are made using pearls of different shapes. Perfectly round pearls are rare but available and costly. Drop shaped pearls are widely used in specially designed jewellery.
Exquisite pieces of jewellery crafted with fresh water pearls are available in different colours and shapes. It all depends on the tastes of the person concerned. Usually young persons prefer colourful pieces while elders choose simple ones. High quality pearls are considered as gemstones and symbol of aristocracy for many centuries.
Maintenance of pearl jewellery is very important, whether they are expensive or cheaper. In appearance different varieties of pearls look alike and only on careful examination, they can be differentiated. The jewellery should be cleaned after the use. It is enough if the jewellery is wiped with soft cloth to remove dirt and grease. If necessary, it can be washed in cold water with mild soap and then wiped thoroughly. No alkaline cleaners or chemicals should be used under any circumstance. Changing the strings periodically will help to make the jewellery last long.
As already mentioned, it is difficult to evaluate the quality of the pearl. It is therefore necessary to locate a reputed and reliable dealer who offer warranty for the products. Online shopping gives ample opportunities to choose the latest trends in fashion. The shoppers can visit the fashion jewellery websites which showcase different patterns of fashion jewellery. The illustrated catalogues provided by the online dealers will be helpful to locate and choose the pearl jewellery. As the dealers update their stock with innovative designs and patterns, the shoppers can save time and efforts in their search for the latest introductions. |