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| Pearl Types |
| Pearl Price Factors |
| Imitation or Not |
| Pearl Treatments |
Pearl Types
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The cultured freshwater pearl market in the United States, however, is gradually increasing. They're now being cultivated in Tennessee with a shell bead nucleus. Their nacre is very thick due to the fact they are left in the mollusks for three to five years. Unlike most other freshwater pearls, American cultured pearls are never bleached, dyed or treated. You'll find them in a wide variety of shapes-marquises, drops, coins, tadpoles,
domes and bars. Tennessee is also known for being the primary source of the shell bead nuclei in Akoya and South Sea pearls.
Price Factors
The grading of freshwater pearls is more variable than that of saltwater pearls. Nevertheless, there is agreement about certain value factors. Freshwater pearls are generally valued according to the following criteria:
LUSTER:
The higher and more even the luster, the greater the value. Low-quality freshwater pearls may seem lustrous to a lay person because often part of their surface is very shiny. However, if some areas of the pearls look milky, chalky and dull, they are considered to have a low luster. In highquality freshwater pearls, there is an evenly distributed luster and a high contrast between the light and dark areas of the pearls.
When judging freshwater pearls for luster, examine them on a white background and be sure to roll them so you can see their entire surface area. If possible, compare strands of different qualities. It's important that your eye become sensitive to luster variations because luster is one of the most important determinants of value in pearls of all types.
SMOOTHNESS:
The smoother the pearl, the more valuable it is. Even though bumpy, wrinkled surfaces can lower the value of freshwater pearls, the bumps and wrinkles are not considered flaws. Consequently, this chapter treats smoothness as a separate category from surface perfection: The upper strand is very wrinkled. Therefore, it is worth less than the lower strand with the smoother pearls.
SIZE/WEIGHT:
Freshwater pearl size is not as important of a price factor as is luster and surface quality. Freshwater pearl prices are generally quoted by weight or by the strand. The gram is probably the most common unit of weight used at the retail evel, but some dealers quote prices according to carat weight. Suppliers of large quantities of pearls may use the "momme" which equals 3.75 grams (18.75 carats). The measurements of pearls are often listed along with their weight as an additional description and means of identification. The size of round freshwater pearls may be expressed by their diameter, measured in millimeters.
SHAPE:
Usually the more round a pearl is, the greater its value. Good symmetry, too, can make a sha] more valuable. In addition, thin shapes tend to sell for less than fatter-looking shapes. Mc freshwater pearls are baroque shaped. This is the lowest priced shape, all other factors being equ, Large high-quality, baroque shapes can command high prices and make distinctive jewelry piece Since 1992, a lot of semi-round (off-round) and ovalish freshwater pearls have become availabl Sometimes they are described as potato,corn and pea shapes
Price Factors
The grading of freshwater pearls is more variable than that of saltwater pearls. Nevertheless, there is agreement about certain value factors. Freshwater pearls are generally valued according to the following criteria:
LUSTER:
The higher and more even the luster, the greater the value. Low-quality freshwater pearls may seem lustrous to a lay person because often part of their surface is very shiny. However, if some areas of the pearls look milky, chalky and dull, they are considered to have a low luster. In highquality freshwater pearls, there is an evenly distributed luster and a high contrast between the light and dark areas of the pearls.
When judging freshwater pearls for luster, examine them on a white background and be sure to roll them so you can see their entire surface area. If possible, compare strands of different qualities. It's important that your eye become sensitive to luster variations because luster is one of the most important determinants of value in pearls of all types.
SMOOTHNESS:
The smoother the pearl, the more valuable it is. Even though bumpy, wrinkled surfaces can lower the value of freshwater pearls, the bumps and wrinkles are not considered flaws. Consequently, this chapter treats smoothness as a separate category from surface perfection: The upper strand is very wrinkled. Therefore, it is worth less than the lower strand with the smoother pearls.SIZE/WEIGHT:
Freshwater pearl size is not as important of a price factor as is luster and surface quality. Freshwater pearl prices are generally quoted by weight or by the strand. The gram is probably the most common unit of weight used at the retail evel, but some dealers quote prices according to carat weight. Suppliers of large quantities of pearls may use the "momme" which equals 3.75 grams (18.75 carats). The measurements of pearls are often listed along with their weight as an additional description and means of identification. The size of round freshwater pearls may be expressed by their diameter, measured in millimeters.
SHAPE:
Usually the more round a pearl is, the greater its value. Good symmetry, too, can make a sha] more valuable. In addition, thin shapes tend to sell for less than fatter-looking shapes. Mc freshwater pearls are baroque shaped. This is the lowest priced shape, all other factors being equ, Large high-quality, baroque shapes can command high prices and make distinctive jewelry piece Since 1992, a lot of semi-round (off-round) and ovalish freshwater pearls have become availabl Sometimes they are described as potato,corn and pea shapes
