Pearl Facts
Pearls are an ancient gemstone discovered and coveted by man since the beginning of recorded history. The first recorded Chinese pearl was in 2000 BC!
How are Pearls Made? Saltwater pearls are produced from oysters; and freshwater pearls are born from mollusks. The presence of a foreign object, like a grain of sand or a piece of shell, causes an irritation inside the oyster or mollusk. The irritation causes the secretion of nacre, which forms around the irritant, and thus, creates a pearl. If this process occurs by chance in nature, the pearl is called a natural pearl. These pearls are extremely rare. Today, most pearls, both salt and freshwater, are cultured. Cultured Pearls These pearls are induced by a small incision in the flesh, or the implementation of a small bead or a piece of shell. This causes the same secretion of nacre, and just as it would by chance in nature, the nacre forms around the implemented object or the incision. The great thing about cultured pearls is that they can be designed before hand, ensuring the availability of a specific type of pearl desired. The more pearls produced, the more likely dolma is to find pearls that match in size, color, shape, luster, and type. How can you tell a cultured pearl from a natural pearl? It’s tough. The only real way to tell is to x-ray the pearl and examine its nucleus.
How long does it take to make a pearl? Freshwater pearls take much less time then saltwater pearls to form. Freshwater pearls can take between 1 and 6 years to form; whereas saltwater may take between 5 and 20 years. The longer a pearl stays in the shell, the more nacre that forms and the larger the pearl. Freshwater pearls can grow to be just as big as saltwater pearls, but they take less time to develop because the layers of nacre are not as compact as those surrounding the saltwater pearl. Imitation pearls are artificially made to appear as though they are genuine pearls. These pearls are made with either shell, plastic, or even glass. Some common brands of imitation pearls are Mallorca pearls, Red Sea pearls, and Laguna pearls. Imitation pearls are sometimes referred to as “man made” or “stimulated” pearls. However, do not confuse these terms with “cultured pearls.” Cultured pearls go through the same natural process as pearls created by chance in nature. Also, cultured pearls are made of the same substance as natural pearls: nacre.
How can you tell imitation pearls from genuine pearls? Imitation pearls are smooth–too smooth. Pearls that occur in a natural environment are gritty, and create a sense of friction as you move your fingers over them.
Don’t trust the tooth test. Ever heard that a real pearl will not scratch against your teeth? Well, that statement is not entirely true. A freshwater pearl WILL SCRATCH against the teeth. Saltwater pearls, on the other hand, will not. This is because the nacre of the saltwater pearl is much more compact.
Classic Pearls
Classic Pearls are round, symmetrical, and have few or no imperfections. These are what most people imagine when they think of a pearl. dolma offers classic pearls in temperate strands of all lengths. dolma also features artistic strands of classic pearls that will redefine the client’s perception of this “ordinary” pearl.
Keshi Pearls
The rarest of freshwater pearls, keshi pearls are 100% nacre. They do not have a nucleus, and as a result, have a luster more superior to the nucleus-bearing pearls. However, the nucleus determines the structure of a pearl. So, the absence of a nucleus results in irregularly-shaped keshi pearls.
Coin Pearls
Coin pearls get their name from their shape and have a hump on the surface. They are the second-most lustrous freshwater pearls, after the keshi pearl. The reason for the high luster on these pearls is their flat surface that allows the nacre to reflect more light.
Mother of Pearl
Mother of Pearl is the inside of the shell of the oyster or mollusk. Like pearls, it is made of nacre that secrets from the oyster or mollusk. Often time, Mother of Pearl is used as a nucleus for cultured pearls. However, they can also be made into beads themselves. To make these beads the shell is cut into squares and rounded into a bead. Dolma carries Mother of Pearl in the traditional round shape, as well as a NEW baroque shape.
Baroque Pearls
The term “baroque” refers to the shape of the pearl. A baroque pearl is not round, nor symmetrical, nor does it have a smooth surface. These “faults” make baroque pearls less expensive; however to most people, the “faults” are what make the pearls so desirable. Baroque pearls have a unique look, and really catch people’s attention. They are more exciting than a traditional pearl.
Teardrop Pearls
These pearls are shaped like teardrops. They are not as expensive as the classic pearls, but you will almost never them on anywhere but at a dolma home show. A customer that wants to make a wow her friends with pearls they’ve never seen should pick out a strand of teardrop pearls.
Potato Pearls
Potato pearls are small and irregularly shaped. They are dolma’s most popular pearl. These pearls are low-key and flirty. They add a touch of class to your casual outfits, without making too much of a statement.
Small Rice Pearls
Rice pearls are given their name because they look like grains of rice. They are smaller, more formal pearls. dolma loves to feature these pearls together in multiple strands. Twist them tightly for the symphony, or leave them loose for an open-air concert.
Large Rice Pearls
Large rice pearls are the perfect medium for a customer looking for an inexpensive, everyday strand of pearls. Shaped like grains of rice - you probably would not recognize these pearls by their shape - they are jumbo in size and less expensive than a classic strand.
Twin Pearls
This pearl is formed when two pearls fuse into one inside the mollusk. Named after their shape, this pearl has a barbell-like appearance. Twin pearls are a perfect gift for any twin, and also for weddings. Their shape symbolizes unity.
Egg Pearls
Egg pearls are round on one end, and tapered at the other.
Leaf Pearls
Leaf pearls are flat and paper-thin. Their delicate composition is juxtaposed by a rugged surface.
Rock Pearls
“Rock” is the name dolma has given to its bumpy, chunky potato pearls, they look like rocks!
Cross Pearls
Cross pearls are coin pearls that have naturally formed in the shape of a cross. These pearls are the perfect gift for a Sunday School teacher, a confirmation student or an acolyte!
Heart Pearls
Like cross pearls, these pearls are coin pearls that have formed naturally in the shape of a heart!
What’s in a pearl?
We consider 5 characteristics when examining a pearl: color, shape, luster, surface and type.
Color
Every pearl has a prominent color: like white, pink. black, etc. On top of that color, there is a sheer layer of another color, called the overtone.
Color and Skin Tone
When choosing a strand of pearls with a prominent color of white, pink or black, remember to consider the natural coloring of your skin. A pearl must have the right color and overtones to compliment your complexion. Conversely, a pearl with the wrong color and overtones will look dull and flat. Here’s a few guidelines to help you get started.
White Pearls
Red heads and clients with fair skin need to wear the whitest pearls with white overtones.
Medium complexions look best in off-white pearls.
Rosy complexions favor pink overtones.
Blonde complexions look great in yellow overtones.
Olive complexions glow in cream-colored pearls with green overtones.
Darker complexions are complimented best with cream-colored pearls with dark overtones.
TIP: Generally speaking, the darker the skin tone, the darker the pearl! The overtones should match the natural coloring of the skin.
Black Pearls
Clients with fair skin need black pearls with black or blue overtones.
Red heads shine in copper overtones.
Medium complexions look best in green, copper, and purple overtones.
Darker complexions will glow in every color, every tone.
Pink Pearls
Although we call these pearls “pink”, you will notice that the prominent color and overtones will make the pearls appear orange or purple, as well as pink.
Clients with fair skin favor purple-pink pearls.
Red heads look great in orange-pink pearls.
Medium complexions look best in true pink or golden pink pearls.
Dark complexions look great in purple-pink pearls
TIP: If a strand of pearls has many colors, overtones, and/or is mixed with stones, there is no need to worry about matching the pearls with the client’s natural tones. It is only important if the customer is picking out a traditional, full strand of pearls.
Painted Pearls
Freshwater pearls only come naturally white or pink. If a freshwater pearl is not white or pink, then it is dyed. Excluding black pearls, there is no need to worry about matching skin tone and color with dyed pearls. Freshwater pearls are often dyed to mimic the wide variety of colors found naturally in saltwater pearls. Dying pearls can create a more stylish and striking piece.
Saltwater pearls are sometimes enhanced to appear more vibrant. This does effect the value of the pearl, and you’ll notice that we’ve made sure to note which of our saltwater pearls have been enhanced.
Luster is the shine of a pearl.
If there’s one characteristic that dolma knows best, it’s the luster of the pearl. Our pearl experts pick only the best-but what good are great pearls if they don’t sparkle on the skin? To dolma, luster is the most important aspect of a pearl.
What gives a pearl its luster?
The nacre that forms in layers around the pearl nucleus reflects light. The longer the pearl stays in the oyster, the better the luster (the more reflective layers have formed!) Also, the smaller the nucleus, the better the luster. Keshi Pearls are pure nacre, because they have no nucleus. Thus, they have the best luster of all freshwater pearls.
The most valuable pearls have a smooth surface with no bumps, grooves or imperfections. However, grooves and bumps give the pearls character, make them more appropriate for casual occasions, and attract more attention than the perfect pearls.
Pearl Stringing
dolma pearls are typically strung on silk, which is the best material to use for pearls. Silk allows a strand to be delicate yet durable.
Some dolma items are not strung on silk. Instead, we use cotton, wire, sterling silver, gold, metal, suede, and nylon cord. These materials add more creativity in designs.
We recommend that you have your pearls restrung every two years. We can help with this! Contact us at customerservice@dolmapearl.com to have your pearls restrung. We charge $3.00 an inch.