Kinds of Pearls

1. A culture pearl is shaped by an oyster, collected of concentric layers of a crystalline substance called nacre deposited about an irritant on purpose placed in the oyster’s body.

2. Natural pearls are formed by deposits of nacre about an irritant which by chance lodges in the body of an oyster.

3. An imitation is anything else which resembles a pearl but has a surface shaped by a manufacturing process- this is an imitation or replicated pearl and must be labeled as such.

Pearls and Medicine

Several Ways Pearls Have Been Used As Medicine

As of ancient China and India to medieval Europe and Arabia - and in approximately all culture in between - pearls have been used for medicinal purposes, ranging from aphrodisiacs to cures for lunacy. Pearls could just be worn as jewelry for their healing powers, or they could be ground up and made into potions, balms, and salves used to treat a wide diversity of ailments and conditions. One myth said that a pearl located in the navel could cure stomach disorders!

Ideal Cut Diamond variations AGS Ideal 0 vs. GIA Excellent vs. Hearts & Arrows

In spite of all of the variety of monikers used to describe the ideal cut diamonds that we sell such as GIA Excellent, AGS Ideal 0, and Hearts & Arrows, the visual performance is mainly dictated by the proportions and the precision of craftsmanship that we insist upon and not the lab which graded the diamond nor the absence or presence of a model of hearts and arrows.


A few years before an independent gemological laboratory determined that the average light return of a round brilliant cut diamond with AGS-4 Good proportions was almost 70% while the average light return for diamond with an overall cut rating of AGS Ideal 0 was in the range of 96 – 98% depending on the accuracy of facet alignment and the mixture of crown and pavilion angle.


Most people are able to separate ideal cut diamonds from non-ideal cut counterparts from a perspective of illustration performance because the ideal cut diamonds just sparkle more. Most people however would be considerably challenged to differentiate between zero ideal cut diamonds of similar carat weight, color and clarity in spite of whether those diamonds were graded as GIA Excellent or AGS Ideal 0 and whether they exhibited a model of Hearts & Arrows or not.

How to Care for Your Pearls

Like any precious heirloom, your new pearl jewelry will need some care to protect its natural beauty. Rarely clean the pearls gently with a soft lint free cloth dipped in mild soapy water such as that created by mixing a single drop of usual Ivory brand dish soap into a sink full of luke warm water. Then wash the cloth in fresh clean warm water and wipe the pearls clean with a soft motion. Place the pearls on a soft dry cloth and permit them to dry before wearing. It is important to note that not to tug or pull on the strand while it is wet because this can result in breakage of the silk thread and/or stretching which may need that the strand be restrung.

The following ideas will help you to keep your pearls looking their best:

* Remain until after applying make-up, perfume and hairspray to put on your jewelry. Some chemicals may damage jewelry.
* Don't permit pearls to rub against your other jewelry because pearls are a softer gem that can be damaged by other harder gems.
* Softly wipe your pearls clean with a lint free cloth before putting your pearls away after wear.
* Store your pearl jewelry away wrapped up in a clean, soft cloth or the box that it came in so that it is protected from rough objects.
* From time to time, it will be essential to have your pearl necklace re-strung by a professional. Check with a jewelry professional yearly to determine the current condition of your strand.

Diamond Color

The color of a diamond refers to the quality and saturation of color, or the depth of color in a diamond. The color of a diamond can range from colorless to a yellow or brown shade. A colorless diamond is rarer and more valuable because it appears white and brighter to the eye. The most valued system used today for evaluating diamond color was developed by the Gemological Institute of America, (GIA).

Even though there are several grades in every category, there are minor differences between the letter grades. D grade is the clearest and most precious, X grade is a dirty yellow and least expensive. Z grade-colored diamonds are the rarest and most expensive. A grade diamond so drenched with nitrogen that it becomes a deep, rich yellow is as rare as a colorless diamond.

How to Clean Diamonds

When cleaning diamonds, the key to a beautiful result is to be sure to remove dirt and debris from every corner and cranny of the ring. Filigree, Celtic, and other elaborate pieces need extra care, while simple solitaires may be cleaned more quickly and easily. The essential steps for cleaning diamond jewelry are:

• Decide whether or not the jewelry can be cleaned at home. If you are unsure of the type of metal, accent stones, or safety of the setting, it is best to leave cleaning to a professional. Also, antique and heirloom rings are more delicate and may need professional attention.
  
• Locate a cleaning space. A towel helps protect surfaces from cleaning chemicals and be sure to choose a location with sufficient lighting to see crevices as well as a location protected from loss (away from sink drains, etc.).
  
• Take away hairs or other fibers stuck in the prongs or setting.
  
• Presoak or wash the jewelry to remove loose dirt. If washing under running water, hold the jewelry firmly or use a sieve deep enough to have it without risk of loss.
  
• Dip ring in cleaning solution (diluted ammonia with three parts water, like a solution with mild clean-rinsing detergent, or professional cleaner).
  
• Softly scrub diamond with soft-bristle brush. Change angles regularly to work into crevices but keep a firm grip on the jewelry.
  
• When cleaning jewelry, use running water or fresh water dish and change angles to take away all cleaning solution.
  
• Use cloth to shine ring for maximum sparkle and shine.

Diamond Enhancements

There are a variety of diamond enhancements or treatments a diamond can undergo that can significantly alter the price of the diamond when compared to a natural diamond. The FTC requires all diamond merchants to disclose all diamond enhancements and treatments to their customers. Failure to do so can result in fraudulent charges and lawsuits against the diamond dealer. When buying a diamond, it is recommended to simply ask for a non-treated or enhanced diamond and have the merchant clearly indicate on the invoice somewhere that the diamond is in fact, not treated and 100% natural mined from the earth. Listed below are some treatments that are done with gemstones.

Bleaching : The use of chemicals or other agents to lighten or remove a gemstone's color to achieve a brighter/whiter diamond.

Gamma/Electron Irradiation : The use of gamma and/or electron bombardment to alter a gemstone's color; may be followed by a heating process.

Heating : The use of heat in a high temperature sintering furnace to effect desired alteration of color, clarity, and/or phenomena.

Infilling/Fracture Filling : The intentional filling of surface breaking cavities or fractures usually with glass, plastic, opticon with hardeners and/or other hardened foreign substances to improve durability, appearance and/or add weight. The foreign material will have a different index of refraction than diamond, and a trained gemologist can see the light bending within the stone.

Lasering : A laser is used to penetrate a diamond and remove certain black inclusions. Chemicals are then used to further reach and alter inclusions in diamonds.

Oiling/Resin Infusion : The intentional filling of surface cavities of a colorless oil, wax, natural resin, or unhardened man-made material into fissured transparent/translucent gemstones to improve appearance. (i.e., oil, man-made resin, paraffin, etc.)

Irradiation : The use of neutron bombardment, with the combination of any other bombardment and/or heat treatment to alter a gemstone's color.