The pearl, which is considered to be the birthstone for June, has been used not only in jewelry, but also stitched onto clothing, crushed and used in cosmetics, medicines, or in paint formulations. Historically, it was the exclusive possessions of royalty and aristocracy. Let’s learn a little more about pearls.
It is the oldest known gem known to mankind and is valued in many cultures throughout history. As far back as 2300 BC, Chinese records indicate that pearls were prized possessions of royalty. Ancient Hindu texts state that the god Krishna discovered the first pearl. In ancient Egypt, mother-of-pearl was used for decorative purposes as far back as 4000 BC. The ancient Greeks used them especially at weddings, believing that pearls are said to bring love, while in the Koran, the pearl is described as one of the greatest treasures provided in Paradise.
Kokichi Mikimoto was instrumental in perfecting the technique for artificially stimulating the development of round pearls in Akoya oysters, thus giving rise to the term cultured pearls.
Faux or real
Bear in mind that cultured pearls are not the same as imitation pearls. These pearls are manufactured, so they have no real value as a gemstone. They can be made from glass, ceramic, shell or even plastic. The bead is then coated with varnish to produce a pearl-like luster and iridescence.
To test if a pearl is real or faux, scrape it gently across your teeth. Imitation pearls feel smooth to the tooth while the genuine ones feel slightly gritty or abrasive due to the crystalline structure of the nacre.
Now that you know how to tell the real from the faux, you can start shopping for your pearl bridal jewelry. There are various types of pearls – Akoya, freshwater, Black Tahitian and South Sea. Akoya pearls exhibit the traditional white, silver or cream colors, while Tahitians and South Sea pearls give darker tones. Freshwater can be either white or dark.
The value of the pearls in wedding jewelry is determined by a combination of the luster (which is the most important), color, size, lack of surface flaw and symmetry. The larger the pearl, the more valuable it is although large, perfectly round pearls are rare and highly valued while teardrop-shaped pearls are often used in pendants.
Matinee or opera
Did you know that pearls have their own set of names that characterize the pearls based on where they hang when worn around the neck? A collar will sit directly against the throat often made up of multiple strands of pearls. Pearl chokers nestle just at the base of the neck. A princess comes down to or just below the collarbone while a matinee falls just above the breasts. An opera will be long enough to reach the breastbone of the wearer, and longer still, a pearl rope is any length that falls down farther than an opera.
However, don’t muddle up your pretty little head with all these terms. You have enough on your hands to worry about. To accessorize a wedding gown, strapless or otherwise, you can safely wear either a collar, choker or a princess, and find its matching earrings. However, use a collar only if you are endowed with a swan-like neck. You can also add a lovely matching pearl bracelet to complete the ensemble.
You can choose a necklace whose pearl size is the same throughout or they can be graduated, with a larger pearl in the center and smaller pearls on each side of the clasp.
It has now become the practice among parents of the bride or groom to give a gift of pearls to the bride. Many bridesmaids are also given pearl necklaces, bracelets and earrings.
Now here’s some interesting information about the size of pearls in a necklace. Tradition dictates that certain pearl sizes are deemed suitable for women of certain age groups and the size of the pearls is an indicator of the wearer’s wealth and social status.
Pearls ranging between 5.5 and 6.5 mm are generally for teenage girls and younger women up to the mid-20s. Those which are between 6.5 and 8.0 mm are worn by women in their mid-20s to mid-30s. Pearls 8.0-9.0 mm in size are traditionally worn by women in their mid-30s to mid-40s, exhibiting an aura of status, class, and success. Pearls measuring 9.0-10.0 mm are generally worn by wealthy matured women.
Lastly, a short note on how to take care of your pearl jewelry. Do apply perfume, hair spray, and other cosmetics before putting on your pearls. After each use, wipe them with a soft damp cloth to remove any traces of cosmetic products or body oils. Wash the pearls occasionally with a mild soap and a soft cloth. Keep your pearls separately to prevent scratches. If possible, store them wrapped in soft cloth or pouch, or jewelry box.
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