Freshwater potato pearls

Freshwater pearls are pearls which are harvested from freshwater mussels and shells. Natural freshwater pearls are never perfectly round. They have many different shapes like round, oval, coin, nuggets, baroque and semi baroque, the most common and widely used for jewelry is potato pearls.

Potato pearls does not have a specific shape they can be of any shape from round to elliptical, due to their oval shape potato pearls are sometimes referred as semi round pearls. These freshwater are usually harvested from China. These pearls are side drilled without any hard edge or flat side.

While grafting shell for freshwater pearls nucleus is not inserted inside shell instead of that small square piece is inserted in upper valve. Twist is given to mantle for to give round shape to pearls. A single mollusk can produce up to 50 pearls. Freshwater pearls are durable, chipping resistant and do not undergo
degeneration easily.

These freshwater pearls are known for their wide range of color, they are available in white, pink, red, silver, copper, golden, lavender, purple, Blue and yellow. Most popular and desirable colors are pastel pink, lavender, purple and rose color. Different colors depend upon various conditions like mussel species, genetics, water quality and position of pearl in shell. Due to various colors and diversity in shape it is very difficult to find perfectly matching pearls for strand.

Freshwater potato pearls can be used alone in pearl strand or you can use them with large pearls. Many times Potato pearls are used as spacers. If you are making jewelry for children you can use colors like Teal green, olive green, baby pink or sky blue. For fancy jewelry you can use Silver, golden, green or red.

For Classic jewelry choose from White, Black, pink, Turquoise. For more information on Freshwater potato pearls visit www.orientalpearls.net/strands_potato.php

Tahitian Black Pearls

Black South Sea pearls are famously known as Tahitian pearls, they are large, exotic and beautiful. These pearls are native of French Polynesia. These pearls are famous for their intense color, which is produced by Pinctada margarifera known as Black lipped oyster in Cook and Carolina Islands of French Polynesia.

Tahitian or Black color have metallic luster. Amazing luster and thick nacre makes Tahitian pearls more expensive. Commercially viable Tahitian pearls have at least 1mm of radius. Black pearl with nacre thinner than 1mm is not called Tahitian pearls. Very thin nacre decreases durability of Tahitian pearls.

Surface imperfections decrease the value of these black pearls. You can opt for some pearls with flaws or blemishes on one side. You can cover those blemishes while making jewelry. There is a specific rating, which is used for grading Tahitian pearls like A, B, C, D and Top gem. Top gem pearl is flawless and has excellent luster.

A: Surface of these pearls is 90% flaw free. They may have some light concentrated imperfections with one or two deep perfections. These pearls has very high luster.
B: Surface of these pearls is 70% flaw free with some light concentrated imperfection.
C: 40% flaw free surface with some light and high concentrated imperfections. These pearls have medium luster.
D: Large amount of flaws and very dull luster.

Tahitian pearls are available in many colors other than black like gray, green, lavender and brown. With iridescence these pearls looks like peacock feather. Even some are dyed so always take dye test before buying Black pearls. Dyed pearls don’t possess natural overtones. Also you can compare with natural pearls. There are many shapes available in these Black pearls like Round, off-round, Drop, Button and circle. They can grow to 9mm to 22mm of diameter. As size increases so does the price.

For more information on Tahitian black pearls click here.

Chinese pearls

Around 4000 years ago Chinese people discovered a most delicate gem which had brilliant shine, Pearl. China has the oldest pearl production tradition than anywhere in the world. It has been one of the important parts of Chinese culture.

Southern region of China has ideal breeding conditions so most of pearls produced in China come from southern part. 96% percent of peals in worldwide market are from China. China also exporting pearls to Japan and large quantity of Chinese pearls are used for Japanese pearl jewelry.

Pearl oyster require some unique living conditions like; diversity of water areas, less polluted river and sea water, cheap and rich feed for pearl oysters, compared to Japan there very few earthquake prone areas and most important very advanced pearl breeding techniques. China fulfills all these conditions very well.

Chinese pearls come in a wide range of lustrous iridescent colors ranging from white, cream, pale pink, purple, black and many more. Chinese Pearls are usually priced low mainly due to low pearl-breeding cost and low labor cost. Chinese people initiated nucleation of their freshwater pearls, which resulted into even round pearls. Rejected freshwater pearls are reshaped into spheres and those are used as nucleus.

Most pearls cultivated in China are freshwater pearls; these pearls are usually harvested from mollusk living in lakes and rivers. Their shapes can be anything from elongated, round, oval, potato, baroque and they have unusual milky translucent appearance. Few decades ago many Chinese people used to dye pearls to bright red, blue, yellow, lavender and black also. Now china offers a selection of beautiful natural colors.

Chinese Akoya pearls having size less than 8mm have better quality than Japanese Akoya pearls. Chinese pearls are nearly white or mottled are usually treated by bleaching agents or bright fluorescent lights and also heat treatment also used. Chinese pearls are as valuable as Japanese pearls. Click here for more information on pearls http://www.orientalpearls.net/freshwater_pearls.php

Tiger’s eye beads

Tiger’s eye is named so as it resembles the eye of a tiger. Tiger’s eye has compact fibers of quartz those are compressed inside stone during formation. Light reflects from these fibers which gives the stone a silky appearance. Stone with golden yellow reflection on a brown back ground is called Tiger’s eye. Yellow and brown strips are due to iron oxides. It is generally considered as an anniversary stone for the ninth year of marriage and the birth stone for the sun sign Capricorn.

Tiger’s eye colors vary from brown to brownish yellow and sometimes from blue to blue grey. Tiger’s eye is sometimes given permanent heat treatment.

Tiger’s eye beads are said to have many healing abilities like it relieves high blood pressure. Tiger’s eye beads are helpful against diseases like bronchial, asthma, kidney problems and many more also heals wounds, digestion and stomach problems.

Tiger’s eye beads are used to stimulate wealth and abundance and it enhances the stability to maintain wealth. It creates Harmony i.e. has the power to create order out of chaos. It is said that Tiger’s eye brings calm and serenity from within making you feel calm and composed. Also used for focusing the mind, it is said that Tiger’s eye beads gives protection during travel and increases confidence. Tiger’s eye is very warm and a beneficial stone.

Tiger’ eye beads are usually available in size from 4mm, 6mm. 8mm to 18mm. Common colors in Tiger’s eye is Rich gold with Earthy browns also in unusual colors like red, cream, blue, black. You can use Tiger’s eye beads to make single strand or you can combine it with freshwater pearls. Necklace or bracelet made up of Tiger’s eye looks very stunning.

Protect Tiger’s eye from scratches and sharp blows. Large temperature may affect its structure.

For more information on Tiger eye beads visit www.orientalpearls.net/strands_tigers_eye.php

Potato pearls and Button pearls

• Potato pearls
The shape of these pearls range from round to elliptical or oval which is somewhat similar to that of a potato so these pearls are called as Potato pearls. The potato pearls are freshwater pearls harvested from china. Sometimes they are also called as semi round pearls. These pearls are side drilled in round shape and they do not have hard edge or flat side.

These pearls are usually available in white, black, pink, green, brown, mauve and many more. If you want to buy loose pearls there is wide range of colors. Due to their unique size you can use them with large pearls or you can use them as spacers. If you to make jewelry for children, you can choose colors like Teal green, Champagne, olive green or cute baby blue. For some fancy jewelry you can use Silver grey, hot pink, spring green or Cranberry. For more classic jewelry choose from Yellow, Orchid, Lawn green, Royal blue, Deep pink, and Turquoise

• Button pearls
Button pearls are called so due to their specific size round on one side and flat side on other. These pearls are usually harvested when many pearls are produced in one oyster or mussel. These pearls are obtained from mussels or oyster native of China.

These pearls are usually used in earring and other jewelry due to their semi round shape. They are commonly combined with diamonds. Button shapes pearls which are round in shape are called “Tall buttons” but these pearls are very rare. Button pearls are usually available in 1-2mm, 3- 4mm to 9-10mm size. These pearls usually have very high luster and are absolutely flawless. Along with classic white colors these pearls are also available in pink, black and lavender. Cost of button pearls depends upon the type of oyster or mussel from which it is harvested. South Sea pearls and Tahitian pearls are most expensive amongst all pearls available. Button pearls usually have multicolor overtones.

Bracelet made up of button pearls is one of the most popular pearl jewelry available. While making necklace of button pearls, these pearls are drilled through their shorter diameter so they fit like disks in strand.

For more information on Potato pearls and Button pearls visit,
www.orientalpearls.net/strands_button.php and www.orientalpearls.net/cart/viewcat.php?cat=Strands-Potato