All about Pearls

Tips for choosing good quality pearls

November 29, 2006 on 12:02 am | In Pearls, Jewelry |

Choosing good quality pearls can be tricky for the uninitiated. The basic areas to look at are size, luster (shininess), shape, surface appearance (the fewer flaws, the better), and whether the pearls match. One trick to check a number of these factors easily is to take the strand of pearls and gently roll it back and forth on a clean, dry surface. Many imperfections in shape and surface appearance can be discovered by using this method that would not be immediately obvious when just viewing the pearl strand alone. By rolling the pearls back and forth, you can see all sides of the pearls, which is very helpful in checking for flaws, seeing how truly round the pearls are, and evaluating the luster of the pearls.

Another helpful technique in pearl evaluation is to drape the strand of pearls over your wrist to see how the color of the pearl matches your skin tone. This is much more accurate than holding the strand of pearls up to your neck and it also allows you to see the pearls from a much closer distance.

I learned these techniques in a pearl class I took in Beijing, China and they have helped me immensely in my work as a pearl buyer. If you are interested in checking out my wares, my online store is www.chinafinds.com. Happy pearl shopping!

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