Pearl color – determination of its value

Pearl color

Natural pearl is coming invariety of colors; from white to black pearl. If you are interested to know about the factor determined pearl colors, some answers are providing here for you.

The pearl color is actually determined by a combination of several factors;

1. The body color of pearl is mainly determined by type of oyster or mollusk. However, the other environmental factors, for example conditions of water, type of nucleus implanted to create pearls, are also affected to pearl color generated in the same area.

2. The overtones or translucent colors which appear over the body color of pearl. This overtone color will add a depth and glow to the pearl itself. The overtone color can be different from pearls body color as you can see from the white pearl with rose overtone. However, not every pearl will perform this overtone color; some of them might present only the natural body color.

3. The shimmering color of pearl. This character will make the pearl look glitter and iridescent when it was turned around. This effect is created by the variety of thickness on the pearl layer, when pearls are generated inside the shells.

The color of natural pearl is the important factor to determine its value in the grading step. Both body color and overtone color are the major color consideration for pearl values.  Today, there are many artificial color pearls, which use the dying or subjecting pearls to irradiations. These treatments can induce for artificial color of cultured pearls. You have to be very careful when you look for the pearl in jewelry market, whether it’s natural color or artificial color pearls as the color of pearl is directly effect to its price. The presence of the overtones and its shimmering can top up the pearl value as it improves the pearl look in a positive way.

However, to create your pearl jewelry, the beauty of each piece is also inspired by the beauty of the wearer as well. It is recommended to choose the suitable piece with right styles and colors for yourself, instead of the high value jewelry pieces. Make sure that you have tried the pieces on, for your best look. Although you like the style and color for that pearl jewelry, but if you put it on and didn’t feel like the right one just forget about it. The beauty of pearls need to complete your beauty at the same time.

Coated gold jewelry: filled, vermeil or plated

gold jewelry

The first thing you need to keep in your mind when you are looking for a new jewelry piece should be about the precious or coated metal jewelry. What jewelry type you should go is all depend on your request and budget plan. If you want the precious gold jewelry, but you have got the limited budget, the gold gilled, vermeil or gold plated jewelry could be your better choice.

Gold filled jewelry is determined by its definition, as a piece of metal based jewelry with gold sheet on its surface. The gold sheet is applied by heat and pressure for the thickness of more than 50 times than regular gold plating. Base on the coating, gold filled jewelry will last longer than other gold coated items.

The vermeil is another technique for coated jewelry with gold. It is usually use electroplating technique to coat gold on jewelry surface with the thickness of more than 2.5 microns. The quality of gold use for this gold vermeil jewelry will varied from 10 to 32 karat. A typical karat of gold for the gold vermeil is either 18 – 22 karat and sterling silver is generally used for this jewelry type. You can also call the vermeil gold as precious metal because the gold is coated over sterling silver jewelry.

Gold plated is used for the explanation ofsingle layer of gold coated onto the base metal. The coating is so thinbut it will come with cheaper price. However, the gold plated jewelry will wear off easily, in comparison with gold filled or gold vermeil jewelry.

Depend on what type of jewelry you are looking for, you can go with the precious gold jewelry or gold coated jewelry. The gold vermeil is quite popular in jewelry world as it can ensure for the quality ofproduct with and affordable price than the gold filled jewelry. There are many styles and design of gold vermeil jewelry waiting for you in the market; vermeil twisted hoop earrings, vermeil beaded earrings together with the vermeil beaded bracelet and etc. You will enjoy the whole collection of vermeil jewelry with affordable price in comparison with the whole set of gold jewelry. The vermeil jewelry will last with you for a long time, with the endurance of gold feature look.

Something to know about turquoise

TurquoiseTurquoise is an opaque, blue-to-green stone that has been prized as a gem and ornament for many years. The unique hues of turquoise make it very popular for making jewelry. Natural turquoise comes in many shades from brownish green to bright blue that’s due to the elements in it. Turquoise with the higher content of copper giving more blue when turquoise with the higher content of iron gives more green. Hardness and richness of color are two of the major factors in determining the value of turquoise, while color is a matter of individual tastebut the most desirable is a strong sky to robin’s egg blue.

In many cultures, turquoise has been believed for thousands of years as a holy stone that can bring good luck. Approximately 3000 BC, Ancient Egypt furnished grave with turquoise. An ancient Persian believes that wearing the turquoise round the neck or wrist will protect them from unnatural death. If the color of turquoise changed, the wearer would have to fear of an approaching doom. These indicate that the color of turquoise can changed, but it is not a sign of danger or damage of gems. The change can be caused by light or by a chemical reaction from cosmetics, perfumes, dust or the acidity of the skin. It can also lose its structural stability and crumble and crack.

In various region of United States, there are plenty of gemstones available in this country including turquoise. Turquoise was among the first gems to be mined, it is often a byproduct of a large copper mine, especially in the United States. American turquoise is considered the finest turquoise in the world.

Turquoise jewelry has become quite the fashion statement to the modern wardrobe. Turquoise jewelry is recognized for a timeless appeal. Turquoise has been traded and mined in the southwest since pre-historic times. Therefor, for the southwestern culture, turquoise has played an important role in jewelry. Some Indian legend believes that turquoise stole its blue color from the sky that is why sometimes turquoise was called the “sky stone”. Turquoise jewelry styles range from traditional to very contemporary in design reflecting the Indian artist’s creativity and traditions. It has been used for centuries, in many generations involving in their daily lifestyle. This gem was also incorporated into many ceremonial events in their culture. Their beloved in turquoise jewelry has long been passed down for many generations. While trendy fashion come and go, turquoise jewelry stays power overtime.

Crystal care – basic advices for you

Crystal careCrystal is a glass that has lead oxide in its mixture.  The more lead in crystal, the more colors crystal reflected. The mixture of lead in a glass make a more reflective and brilliance look to the crystal.

If you want to differentiate handmade crystal from the others, check for the seed bubbles. The handmade process for crystal make is always adding this small “seed bubbles” in to the crystal body, which can only be seen when holding the crystal against a strong light. The other signs for hand crafted crystal are chill marks and flow line on the crystal surface. These are good signs for hand crafted crystal.

Although the crystal contains lead oxide inside, it is still a soft material. It is very fragile which you need to know how to take a good care of your crystal.

These are general things to concern for your crystal pieces.

1. Store your crystal separately from the other items. Wrap your crystal in soft clothes or soft pouch before place it back into its box or airtight plastic bag.

2. The crystal is a delicate item, so, don’t put it upside down. Make sure that you have put it in the right position, without touching to other items.

3. Carry your crystal pieces with care, one at the time only. Do not carry a bunch of them in one time.

4. By accident if your crystal breaks, you can still save it. A clear-drying epoxy for glass will glue them back together. Read on the instruction when you need to use it for the best effect.

5. Be careful about dusts on your crystal. Dust can scratch the crystal surface. Clean it with mild detergent and use a lint free cloth for drying step.

6. Hand wash only and never go with a dishwasher. You need a very gentle care with mild detergent for the best result of your crystal clean.

7. Use only warm water for cleaning step and rinse with warm water again. If you changewater temperature quickly, your crystal can crack or cloud easily.

8. Every time for the crystal cleaning, always place a rubber matt or towel in the sink bottom. Just in case of crystal drop or your slippery hand, a soft matt can save the crystals for this case.

9. A few drops of vinegar in water can keep water spots away from the crystals.

The above advices are able to use for any kind of crystal made. Be gentle for your best crystal look.