Freshwater Pearls

Pearl jewelry sets have been popular for centuries and regarded as some of the most classic jewelry. Pearls have become iconic over the years and looked at as a symbol of beauty and perfection. The spherical jewels from the sea have not only been sought after for perfection but have become forever embellished in myths and literature. A common practice used among people who offer words of advice is to dub them as 'pearls of wisdom'. Pearls are used many times throughout literature being compared to as tears, the treasures of the oceans, and have become almost inseparable with a classic woman's loveliness and adornments. The Bible describes the gates to the heavenly city as follows," and the twelve gates [were] twelve pearls; every several gate was of one pearl" (Revelation 21:21).

The spherical gems are formed when a foreign particle enters inside an oyster or mussel. The creature acts defensively towards whatever particle or irritant that has entered inside and as a defensive mechanism, begins to secrete a pearlescent substance known as nacre around the irritant, in an effort to protect itself from the foreign invader. This forms what is known as the pearl. The size of the pearl is determined by how much nacre is used in the formation. Pearls formed completely naturally are the most rare and in fact, have proven to be so scarce that most of the spherical gems are cultivated by human intervention especially for those which make up pearl jewelry sets.

Freshwater pearl jewelry is unique in the fact that in general, they cost significantly less than other varieties of pearls. This allows people who might not otherwise be able to afford the jewels, to purchase and enjoy them for themselves or as gifts to others without having to break the bank. Freshwater pearls come in a wide variety of naturally occurring colors and like other types, the jewels can be found in a wide selection of sizes and shapes. All types of jewelry can be crafted out of jewels from freshwater and for the casual observer simply cannot tell the difference between those grown in freshwater as opposed to spherical jewels found in the sea. The reason behind the difference in price among freshwater pearls and those of other varieties is that mussels grown in freshwater produce more of the spherical jewels at a time than saltwater oysters, which generally grow only one at a time making them more expensive due to the rarity, which also makes freshwater pearl jewelry more affordable. Mussels often produce up to twenty at a time as they are generally larger than oysters. In addition, pearls grown by mussels generally consist of more of the iridescent material or nacre, as a result of growing among fewer irritants than those formed in saltwater.

There are many different types of pearls that can be found both naturally occurring, but more commonly, cultivated by intervention from humans. There are several types can be quite expensive simply due to scarceness. For example, Akoya pearls can be found in a beautiful array of colors including, white, green, cream and rose and can be used to make stunning pieces of jewelry, however, these colored gems can only be found in the lands of the East such as Japan and China. Natural pearls are among the rarest and are considered to be completely natural as they occur completely without human instigation or interference. Among some of the largest are White South Sea Pearls which are generally ten to twenty millimeters in size and can be found in colors such as yellow, blue and even black. These are generally found in tropical regions around Myanymar and Indonesia. Tahitian pearls are unique in that they tend to be black in color. Black gems such as these are so unique the shading of color, shape and size that a hundred years can pass before two similar pearls are found.

Pearl jewelry sets have truly come to define a classic woman. Stunning pearl necklaces are often worn with a matching pair of earrings or tastefully crafted bracelet. Some of the most common adornments worn by brides are pearl necklaces which have occasionally been passed down from mother to daughter, especially as the small spheres represent purity and innocence. Diamonds might be toted as being a 'girl's best friend' but occasionally take a back seat to stunningly classic set of pearls. The spherical jewels gained such status by being some of the oldest known gems which can be found dating back to ancient times as being symbols of the loveliest perfection. Among some of the most famous freshwater pearl jewelry is the necklace worn by Mary, Queen of Scots which dates back to the late fifteen hundreds. Among the world's first cultured pearls occurred beginning around five hundred A.D. when the Chinese began to place very small images of Buddha into mussels, so that the pearlescent nacre would form surrounding the image. Knights retuning from battles during the Crusades would bring back gifts of pearls for their ladies, and Queen Elizabeth I adorned herself with the gems on the day of her wedding, a tradition which has transcended many years and generations.

Freshwater pearl jewelry makes up the most affordable pearl jewelry sets, but necklaces, earrings, brooches and baubles can be found crafted out of some of the finest gems of the sea. When one perceives the pearlescent perfection that results in the natural defensive measures of creature's of the sea, it is easy to see why people have sought out the jewels for centuries, and lauded them among the most precious of materials, for adornment, wealth, and symbolism.

Add to: File Insurance Business article Teen Photo Images