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Tel: (928) 239-9361

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Village Jeweler by Borrego Goldsmith, Inc. a Arizona Corporation doing business in beautiful Village of Oak Creek  Sedona, Arizona

Village Jeweler
a full service jeweler in Sedona, Arizona
100 Verde Valley School Road, Suite #108
Weber’s IGA - Village Crossing Shopping Center
Sedona, Arizona 86351
Tel: (928) 239-9361
www.VillageJeweler.biz       To Email, please click here.

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Pearls!
By Jewelry & Gemology Guru,
DeNise Bowers, Village Jeweler, Sedona, Arizona

Pearls, those little wonders from the waters of the world! So many shapes, sizes, colors - how can we chose?

How to select the right pearls, and how to care for them and enjoy them for many years to come…

Over the years there have been many misconceptions about the term “cultured”. This does not mean fake. In nature, a grain of sand which enters into the oyster becomes an irritant causing the oyster to attempt to expel it by coating the grain with a slick solution. If the sand does not slide out, the oyster continues to coat the grain repeatedly. The constant build up becomes hardened, similar to the enamel on our teeth, forming a “natural” pearl which is very rare. The longer it is left in the mollusk, the larger it gets. If the water temperatures are right, and the water is clean, the final coating on the pearl can be very lustrous and beautiful.

DeNise Bowers talks about purchasing and caring for Pearls on Big Blend Radio. To listen, please  click here for the mp3 file.

Different types of mollusks form different shapes and colors of pearls. It’s all in the genetics. Since pearls are so desirable, and a mollusk has the ability to expel the grain of sand, human ingenuity has led to the “cultured” pearl where an implant is embedded into the mollusk, water temperatures are monitored, and the pearls are harvested a certain number of years later to produce a good lustrous product. Certain ocean waters are ideal such as in the South Seas of Tahiti.  Fresh water pearls are harvested much the same way but in lakes, such as Lake Biwa in Japan. To keep up with demand, 99% of all pearls are cultured.  

Selecting the right pearls can be fun. Here are some tips; first make sure you are not wearing red, orange or any bright clothing which might cause the color to reflect off the surface of the pearls. If possible, lay the pearls on a lighted glass counter carefully, so that they are illuminated somewhat.  You do not want to be able to see “into” the pearl this way. Look for a solid appearance to be sure the nacre’ ( the outer layer) of the pearl is thick enough to be durable. This is like the difference between one coat of paint on your car, or four. Which do you think will wear better? If a pearl is harvested too soon, they will not have a thick nacre’ and will not wear long. Next, look at the shape. Some are a beautiful baroque, some oval, some button shaped, other shaped like rice grains. Select the shape that you feel is unique to your personality. Check to see if they are well matched in size and shape if selecting a strand.  Look for a high luster. We are talking about how they shine. The finer the luster, the better.  Select a color that goes well with your skin and hair color. Here is the fun part - Try them on!  Are you a redhead? You may not want to select pink, or rose’ colored pearls. Be careful not to select a clashing color.  There are so many wonderful colors, natural colors being more valuable - and dyed colors being more abundant and affordable. There is something for everyone!

Once you are the proud owner of pearls here are a few rules to help you keep them beautiful.  Make sure that you put your pearls on last; after dressing, after makeup, after hair spray, after perfume. This will help keep them from being damaged by products and oils. At the end of your day, remove them first; pulling off a sweater while wearing a strand or pendant can snag them and pull them apart.

About the silk knots; some things you might not be aware of.  Silk is used for stringing and knotting pearls for a few reasons. Pearls are organic, and will absorb moisture from our skin, and from products we wear. If these products enter into the drill hole of the pearl it can damage it and enlarge the drill hole and discolor the pearl. Silk will absorb these products into the knots, and keep it from the drill hole. The knots also serve to keep the pearls from rubbing against each other causing a flattening surface. Also, if your pearls break, the knots will keep them all from rolling away.  Other stringing products such as nylon or polyester can be too abrasive and actually cause the drill hole to enlarge damaging the pearl.  If you wear your pearls often, be sure to check the silk knots for soil and discoloration, and for loose places between them.  This is when you need to have them restrung and re-knotted. Some need restringing annually, others every 2 years or so. We all wear our jewelry differently so have your jeweler check for you if you are not sure.

Cleaning your pearls at home can be done easily if you are careful.  I suggest using only a few drops of dish liquid in a bowl of warm water and soaking the pearls for a few minutes. Rinse them well with cool clean water then roll them dry on a soft white towel. Hang them up to finish drying on a towel hook overnight. Store them in a soft white cloth when not wearing.

Enjoy your pearls year round! On a winter cashmere sweater, on a starched and ironed tee with your jeans. Enjoy them, your treasure from the waters of the world!