14 Karat
Pearl jewelry is a staple in any woman’s jewelry collection. It’s always in season, goes with everything and graces every look with sophistication. There are so many different kinds of pearls and a variety of different ways that you can wear them. So much so that taking care of pearls can be confusing for a lot of people. Luckily, our 14 Karat West Omaha jewelers and repairs experts know all about pearls and how to care for them.
Different kinds of pearls
One of the most interesting things about pearls is that they come in a variety of different colors and types. Your typical pearls will either be white, cream or slightly yellow in coloring. Although, there are cultured pearls that come in grey, pink, green, blue and all sorts of different hues. You could have a strand of pearls that matched and color coordinated with every outfit.
Besides colors, there are also different types of pearls– there are natural pearls and cultured pearls. Natural pearls are made without any sort of human help or contact. An irritant like a parasite or a grain of sand will work its way into a mollusk and turn into a pearl over time. Mollusks have a defense mechanism where they take the harsh irritant and they coat it in nacre, as each layer hardens and becomes thicker, a lustrous pearl is formed.
Cultured pearls use the same process, but it happens through human intervention and care. Most mollusks that are used in cultured pearl growing facilities were specifically bred and raised for that purpose. There are Akoya, South Sea, Tahitian and Freshwater cultured pearls. Akoya pearls are what most people in the U.S. think of when they picture pearls. Tahitian cultured pearls have the widest color range, although they are most well known for their black pearls. Freshwater pearls are probably the most common pearl and most widely seen throughout jewelry stores. The main thing to keep in mind is that no matter what type of pearl you are looking to get, they will not all be perfectly circle in nature. A strand of pearls that has all perfect circles could be fake.
Taking care of pearls
When it comes to taking care of pearls, one of the most important things to remember is that wearing your pearls is one of the best ways to keep them looking shiny and new! This is because pearls are born in water and love to soak up moisture. Wearing them helps them soak up the natural oils that your skin produces which can make them illuminate even more.
However, because they do soak in moisture, our West Omaha jewelers and repairs experts stress the significance of not wearing your pearls in the shower, swimming or cleaning. Chlorine, bleach and even shampoo can damage the surface of the pearl.
Pearls should be the last thing you put on when getting ready and the first thing that you take off after your event. When storing pearls, do not place them in an airtight container or a plastic bag. Instead, store your pearls in a soft fabric bag and away from any other jewelry or objects that can scratch their surface.
14 Karat
Pearls are a great gift to give to anyone as a June birthday present, coming of age gift or even just because. A strand of pearls, pearl earrings or a pearl ring can be the cherry on top of anyone's jewelry collection. Come and visit us at the Shops of Legacy, 168th and West Center Roads to see what new pearl piece you should get or design a custom piece!
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