1. Wedding Perhaps you’re already aware of the common belief that pearls on wedding days symbolize so many things, including purity and happiness. In most cultures, genuine saltwater Akoya pearls are passed from one generation to the next to “take away the bride’s tears” during the big day.It is the bride’s father who would usually give these pearls to his daughter. According to the Greeks, giving or wearing pearls on the wedding day promotes marital happiness, love, success and chastity. This wedding tradition was made popular during the Victorian Era.

   But there are also cultures that believe otherwise. Filipinos, Mexicans, and Italians believe that pearls on wedding days are bad luck and will cause tear-filled marriages. Whatever tradition you choose to follow the fact remains that wearing a string of genuine saltwater Akoya pearls around the neck would compliment any blushing bride.

2. Engagement and/or Anniversaries
   Diamonds are not the only ones desired during engagements and anniversaries, pearls are adored too. A string of genuine pearls never fail to convey a message of love and warmth. They are adored because of their value that lasts for a lifetime. Aside from the usual necklaces, pearls can also be given as bracelets, pendants, earrings, brooches, cufflinks, and tie tacks and of course, rings.Giving pearls to a woman as engagement and/or anniversary presents never goes out of date. If worn right, pearls can complete a woman’s wardrobe. For instance, the rope necklaces have clasps that allow them to be separated into a necklace and a bracelet. On the other hand, princess necklaces support plunging necklines. Further, the matinee length is for those who want to achieve a more mature and conservative look.

   There are so many different pearl-inspired pieces of jewelry and so, you will definitely find something that your friend or lover will fall in love with.

3. BirthdaysGenuine saltwater Akoya pearls are the oldest known jewelry and they show no signs of ever going out of style. Giving pearls to a newborn is like teaching her the ways of the world. She may be too small to appreciate them yet but soon, she will treasure it as much as you have.There are many legitimate sites that offer genuine saltwater Akoya pearls in different styles and colors. The perfect way to know whether a woman will appreciate them is to pay attention to her style and preferences. Bear in mind that different pearl necklaces alone, if worn, can say different things. So if you are looking for the perfect gifts for the loveliest woman in your life, buy her pearls!

There are two major categories of all pearls in the market: the saltwater and the freshwater. Saltwater pearls are harvested from oysters. On the other hand, freshwater pearls are those from mussels grown in rivers, lakes, and ponds. Both pearls can be cultured so a genuine pearl may also include cultured pearls.

So what are fake pearls?

A fake black pearl necklace is made up of ceramics, glass, plastics and a host of other materials that either stand alone or combined to make one pearl-looking result. They are usually sold as costume jewelry or one of those that you will only wear for shows. The advancement in modern technology has made it possible to artificially produce fake pearls that look like real ones, minus the weight and luster.

With that said, the business of determining fake from real pearls is quite a challenge. But here are a few tips.

1. If you rub a pearl gently across your upper front teeth, you will notice that the real one has a gritty or sandy feel. On the other hand, pearls from a fake black pearl necklace will appear smooth. Also if you try to dig a hole in the pearl, you will notice that the genuine one will have smooth and sharp edges around the hole. Otherwise, that’s a fake pearl.
2. A pearl that is genuine feels heavy to hold while the fake one usually feels light, unless you have a solid glass bead. But be extra careful on this note because there’s such a thing as the Swarovski Crystal Pearl. This is a man-made pearl with a crystal core and then the pearly coating is applied in layers. So if you hold a Swarovski pearl in your hand, it will feel as heavy as the real one.
3. And of course, unless they are Hanadama pearls, the real ones should have minimal blemishes. A pearl that is not Hanadama and shows complete perfection is most likely a fake one.
4. Lastly, if a black pearl necklace is unbelievably cheap, then you have reason to doubt its authenticity. However, the cost of genuine pearls may vary depending on the dealer.

Where can you buy genuine pearl jewelry?

Antique shops may have old pearl necklaces. Pearls are organic so it is natural for them to age. The wear visible on the pearls’ surface will determine how long it’s been used. Other than that, genuine items have a knot in between each pearl and the string used should be silk, such is the unwritten rule in the old days of pearl jewelry making.

However, if you want brand new jewelry then you can visit physical stores or log on to the Internet. PearlParadise.com is one of the popular sources of genuine pearls such as black pearl necklace and other pearl accessories that are sold at a reasonable rate.

Many young women unfortunately shy away from wearing pearls. Either they feel pearls are only for the more mature woman, worn during elegant dinners or in formal parties such as weddings. Some simply don’t know how to incorporate pearls into their hip and casual styles.

Here are some ways you can wear pearls casually and with style:

If you have a princess Akoya pearl necklace lying around, wear it as a bracelet for a change. Wear pearls with denim pants, or add something personal to your wardrobe when you wear your pearls as an accessory. Add a pendant that’s meaningful to you.

Don’t be afraid to add a new twist to wearing your pearls. Incorporate them into a stylish handbag or into a hairpiece. When you shop for pearl jewelry, think of the shades and tones you usually wear. Pick pearls that go well with your favorite colors.

Don’t keep your pearls with other gems inside one jewelry box to keep them from getting scratched. However, you should feel free to mix pearls with other types of jewelry. Keep in mind though that your princess Akoya pearl necklace is already eye-catching, as most pearls are. Wear only a few choice pieces of jewelry that go well with your pearls.

Try out oversized pearls if you still haven’t. Make sure they have the highest quality and provide a great luster. Oversized pearls can work best as accessories to a subtle wardrobe.

Look at the styles, shape and color of the jewelry that matches with a particular pearl accessory. Ultimately, you should feel comfortable when wearing your pearls with other gemstones. Metal jewelry is best for highlighting the dramatic effect of wearing pearls.

Consider interesting strands that would give your pearls a fresh look or uniqueness. Wear your pearl necklaces with a gemstone pendant that isn’t too loud or intricate, but just enough to compliment the pearls and bring out that new identity.

The most important aspect is choosing the right pieces. When picking pearls to wear for the day from your collection, you have to pick the right ones for every ensemble. If your outfit is simple such as a plain black top and jeans, put on your pearl necklaces. A length such as that of a princess Akoya pearl necklace, worn twice around the neck, should add flair and drama to your wardrobe.

Colorful clothes call for pearl necklaces that have gemstone pendants. When the ensemble is already complex, having bold colors or wild prints, a simple necklace with a pearl pendant will do.

These gems have gone through several years of delicate cultivation. Don’t keep this beautiful jewelry hidden. Whether during day or night, pearls always add that extra touch of style and elegance. If you want to find out more about pearls, especially the princess Akoya pearl necklace, visit www.lagunapearl.com.

These precious objects of beauty have gone through a long, delicate process of cultivation. Before you purchase another pair of pearl and diamonds earrings, it’s good to look back on how these timeless gemstones are created.

Many of the pearls sold today in the market are cultured, farmed and harvested by pearl specialists through technologies first developed in Japan. Back in earlier centuries, it was all Nature’s hands that crafted these beautiful stones into form. Pearl lovers would have to rely on deep sea divers just to possess a pearl for making necklaces, bracelets, and other accessories.

Thanks to Mikimoto, who developed the technology that simulates the natural process of forming pearls, the market for pearls has vastly grown.

Pearls come from fresh and saltwater oysters. Pearl farmers place a shell bead into the oyster until it coats the bead with nacre. Until the desired size, shape and color are achieved, pearls are then ready to be harvested. It’s a long and delicate process that may yield errors. Some pearls don’t turn out with thick nacre, which determine the luster and surface quality of pearls. That’s why each beautifully formed pearl is a truly rare and precious possession.

One of the rarest and finest pearls is the Akoya pearl, named after the area in Japan where oysters are found. Because of their high nacre quality and fine white overtones, Akoya pearls are often used for making pearl and diamond earrings. They can also be very rare since Akoya oysters have delicate survival chances.

There are other kinds of pearls available on the market, and some of them are even made into pearl and diamond earrings. The South Sea Pearls are found in the South Seas. French Polynesia is where you’ll find the dark and radiant Tahitian Black Pearls, grown from black-lipped dark-colored oysters.

The Mabe Pearls are cultivated in oysters found in Indonesia, Australia, and Japan. The Keshi Pearl, on the other hand, is made when a nucleus fails to fully coat the nacre and release fragments.

The famous Mother of Pearl is made from the substance coming from the lining of oyster shells. There are also “fake” pearls found in Majorca, an island in the Mediterranean. The mantle of the oyster is coated with paste from fish scales, creating a luster that’s similar to real pearls.

Of course it is important that when you purchase pearl and diamond earrings, you are sure the pearls are authentic and high quality. Nothing beats that radiance of real high grade pearls, such as Akoya pearls. To find the highest quality pearls at the most affordable prices visit www.lagunapearl.com.

Pearls are the favorite of many jewelers for the delicacy with which they are cultured, and the unique beauty they bring. The word pearlescent means having a glow that is pure and full of radiant beauty, like that of a pearl. Divers in ancient times would brave the depth, holding their breaths, just to find a single pearl. Sophisticated technology was developed just so the highest quality pearls could be widely available to everyone.

When you own one or a few of these precious gemstones created by nature and human hands, you should know how to properly care for pearls.

Cultured pearls with thick nacre coatings are of the finest grade. However, they are not indestructible and may wear off their luster and thickness. Made from organic materials, pearls are fragile and easily damaged. They should be handled with great care and stored in a place that’s safe from extreme temperatures.

To keep your pearls clean, wear them just after you apply makeup or perfume. Other substance may harm the pearls luster and color. Take off your pearls before you put on lotion or moisturizing creams.

Right after taking them off, wipe your princess Akoya pearl necklace or other pearls with a clean, soft, slightly damp fabric. The fabric can also be dry. If you use damp cloth, leave the pearls to dry off before storing them away. To dry pearls, wipe them with a clean cotton towel.

When cleaning your pearls, use only mild soap and water. Never use harsh detergents or other cleaning agents as they will harm the surface of the pearls. Avoid chemical solutions that contain ammonia.

To remove strains, use acetone nail polish cleaner. Acetone is safe to use with pearls, including your long princess Akoya pearl necklace.

If you have an ultrasonic cleaner for cleaning other jewelry, do not use this with your pearls. Also, don’t use toothbrushes or any abrasive material as these wear out the nacre, leaving your pearls without luster and devalued.

It’s great to wear pearls with other jewelry such as gold or metal, but never store pearls in one box with other accessories. Pearls scratch easily next to metal and other hard surfaces. The best way to store pearls is in their original box. If not, wrap the pearls in linen and store them in a separate casing.

Don’t put your pearls inside a plastic bag. When storing them, make sure pearls have access to moisture since it’s important in retaining their luster and thickness.

If you have a princess Akoya pearl necklace or other similarly lengthy pearl jewelry, Make sure that each pearl is unknotted separately to avoid them from rubbing against each other’s surface.

Pearls available today go through a delicate process of culturing. Humans collaborate with nature to make gorgeous pearls, especially those strung into double strand Akoya pearl necklaces. Thanks to a group of Japanese inventors in the early 20th century, a technique for pearl cultivation was discovered and changed the face of pearl harvesting.

Both freshwater and saltwater mollusks can be the source of fine pearls. A shell bead is placed into the mussel or oyster until the mollusk produces layers of nacre over the material. Pearl farmers make sure the shape and size of the pearl is achieved.

The Akoya oyster (Pinctada fucata) is the parent of saltwater cultured pearls. Chinese and Japanese pearl farmers prefer the Akoya oyster when creating saltwater cultured pearls.

Since the host oysters have delicate survival chances, the Akoya pearl is very hard to create, making it among the rarest kinds of pearls in the market. Only 5 out of ten will survive through cultivation. Around 40% of surviving oysters will be able to coat the bead irritant with nacre, which will grow into a pearl. Each cultivation, only 5% of pearls attain high grade quality. The rare Akoya pearl, which is used for making the double strand Akoya pearl necklace, is available at www.lagunapearl.com.

The finest quality pearls from Akoya oysters are called Hanadama Grade, which is 2% all Japanese pearls harvested. The beads used to culture pearls comes from the U.S. and is shipped to Japan where the cultivation takes place.

Apart from the rare Akoya pearls, there are other cultured pearls out in the market. The most widely known is the Biwa pearls grown from the mussels found in Lake Biwa in Japan.

Another famous saltwater pearl is the South Sea Pearl, which is grown in the Pinctada maxima oyster found in the South Seas. Tahitian Black pearls are cultivated in French Polynesia. They are grown from the black-lipped oyster and noted for their dark color, from black to gray, sometimes green, and even red and blue hues.

Mabe Pearls are cultured with the Pteria penguin and Pteria sterna oysters found in Indonesia, Japan, and Australia. There’s also the Keshi pearl, which is made from the fragments of the epithelium when a nucleus fails to get coated by the oyster.

Mother of Pearl is the substance formed from the lining of mollusk shells. This pearl is made of conchiolin and calcium carbonate, produced from the mantle’s secretion. Then there’s a brand of “fake pearl,” also known as the Majorca Pearl. Made in the Mediterranean island of Majorca, these pearls are made by using a glass band and coating an artificial surface with a paste from fish scales. This paste creates the sheen and appearance of the real thing.

But for true elegance and style, the Akoya pearl is the species of choice. The double strand Akoya pearl necklace can be yours by visiting www.lagunapearl.com.

There’s not really an objective way to grade cultured pearls, but companies seek standards and compare pearls to establish their quality. The Gemological Institute of America and the Guide for Grading Akoya Cultured Pearls by Gemworld International, Inc. are usually the two main sources of standards used for comparing and grading cultured pearls. A comparison set is applied to compare pearls and determine their grade. Akoya is a popular saltwater pearl  in the pearl culturing industry.

Cultured pearls are compared and valued for their luster, surface quality, shape, color, nacre thickness and if they are uniform in dimension. The grade of a pearl is determined after it passes the following value factors. Companies usually use a “letter grade” that speaks of the how much a pearl possesses high ratings in all six factors.

The luster of a pearl refers to how brilliant it looks. The most apparent trait one looks for in a pearl is its sheen. We find pearls beautiful for this reason. Luster also refers to the structural quality of the nacre, how fine it is.

The thickness of nacre refers to the pearl’s structure, which determines color, durability, luster and elasticity.  AAA Akoya pearls have thick nacre. Pearls with thick nacres don’t crack or chip.

A pearl’s surface quality refers to how clear its surface is, free from all kinds of imperfections. During cultivation, blemishes occur in a pearl. The pearl with the least spots and discoloration is the highest quality. These kinds of pearls are a type used for making AAA Akoya pearl necklaces.

Akoya cultured pearls are known for having the best pearl shape. The shape of pearls is graded into five levels: baroque, semi-baroque, off round, mostly round, and round. Perfectly round pearls achieve a grade of AA+ to AAA, such as the AAA Akoya pearls.

Overtone and overall body color determine the pearl’s color. The predominant shade of a pearl is called its body color, which includes white, light pink, dark cream, medium cream, yellow or pink. The overtone color is seen when pearls are inspected under light. These colors include gray, green and rose. The grading for color is based on what colors are preferred in the market. AAA Akoya pearl necklaces are made using pearls that have intense colors, producing high luster and creamier overtone color.

Matching pearls involves comparing pearls in terms of luster, surface quality, shape color, nacre thickness and the size of the pearl. The more uniform a group of pearls is, the higher its grade value. Matching pearls applies to jewelry which uses a string of pearls, such as AAA Akoya pearl necklace. These pearls have excellent matching.

The proportionate combination of these grading factors determines pearl grade. A string of pearls must have the uniform aspects of color, surface quality and nacre thickness. The last two are considered to be the most crucial in getting a high pearl grade. An AAA Akoya pearl necklace is guaranteed to posses a healthy combination of these grading factors.

But where does the refined beauty of pearls come from?

A Brief history of Pearls

In the late 19th century, researchers Tokishi Nishikawa, Tatsuhei Mise, and Kokichi Mikimoto, who was the son of a noodle maker, studied pearls to come up with a pearl culturing process. Most of the pearls we know today are the result of culturing.  However, pearls have been valued for centuries.

Before pearl farming, pearls were cultured accidentally by nature. In ancient Persia, deep see divers held their breaths to find this glittering milky formation in mollusks. Today, pearls that are strung into beautiful necklaces are cultured by humans.  Culturing produces pearls with the help of human interferance with the mollusk.

How Nature Makes a Pearl

It’s interesting to note that a thing of beauty such as a double strand Akoya pearl necklace could come from a parasite. Yes, pearls are created when certain parasites accumulate in the outer tissue of a mollusk.

Nacre, a blend of organic and crystalline substances, is secreted to counter the presence of the parasite, and so begins the process of creating pearls. Protecting the mollusk, nacre grows in layers around the area where the irritation is. Years later, the layers of nacre turns into a pearl, which is then cultured by jewelers to be made into Ayoka pearl necklaces.

The Akoya Pearl

Akoya is the trade name for cultured pearls. These pearls are created from the Pincatada fucata martensii and Pincatada fucata chemnitzii found mostly in China, Japan, South Korea, Australia and Vietnam. Akoya pearls are known to be a classic among cultured pearls, known for its luster and quality. Some of the colors they come in are silver, cream and white, with overtones of rose.

Since the Akoya oyster is considered the smallest oyster that produces pearls, the Akoya pearls are usually small, from 2 to 11 millimeters. Akoya pearls are also very round compared to other kinds of pearls. For this reason, jewelers find the Akoya pearls ideal for making necklaces, strands and bracelets. Among favorites by pearl lovers in the world is the double strand Akoya pearl necklace.

Mikimoto and the Round Pearl

It was Mikimoto who first developed round pearls. He inserted tissue and bead into the reproductive glands of an Akoya mollusk. This technique was eventually patented in 1916.

Mikimoto’s patented technique for culturing pearls revolutionized the pearl industry. Large orders soon followed, and the sustained mass creation of quality pearls that fomented the pearl cultivation industry.

Pearls that were made naturally and come in various sizes, dimensions, and quality were very hard to find. But with the development of an artificial technique to create pearls, millions of pearls are now being produced. Pearl necklaces, bracelets and strands became more accessible and affordable.

Apart from Mikimoto’s Akoya pearl, the pearl culturing industry has since been producing, South Sea, freshwater, and Tahitian pearls. Gone are the days when deep sea divers have to risk their lives for a single pearl. The long impossible wait for a double strand Akoya pearl necklace is now merely  a thing of the past.

In order to pick the right pearl jewelry you must decide which pearl jewelry item fits your recipient best. For instance there are some questions that you will need to ask before you can find the perfect jewelry item. If you are planning on getting earrings, first make sure the recipient has pierced ears. If you are thinking of purchasing a ring you will need to know what sized rings the person wears. Necklaces are a relatively safe bet.    You can’t go wrong with a simple yet elegant single strand pearl necklace.

Laguna Pearl’s  roots are in wholesale pearl jewelry operation, and as a result the company is able to offer competitive pricing by cutting out the middle man and selling directly to the retail jewelry customers. The professionals at Laguna Pearl are experts on pearl jewelry and can offer customizable jewelry pieces made just for you!  Laguna pearl has an extremely large inventory of all types of pearls and even offers the rarest and highest quality pearls in the world.  You can select between Japanese Akoya Pearls, Tahitian South Sea Pearls, White and Gold South Sea Pearls, and Freshwater Pearls.   These pearls come in a variety of different colors and shapes.  So whether you want a dark grey colored pearl or light creamy colored pearl or anything in between you can find it at Laguna Pearl.

If you are looking for some beautiful pearl jewelry but you are on a budget, you should check out pearls on sale at Laguna Pearl. The Laguna Pearl sale section offers a great variety of amazing price options. You can find gorgeous pearl necklaces, rings, earrings, and bracelets for a great deal.

Laguna Pearl already offers amazingly affordable prices on their pearl jewelry, but combine this with the sale and you are truly getting a great steal. If you have your eye on a certain piece but cannot afford the price, it is a good idea to check the sale section to see if there is anything similar or even another item that you also like. The selection of pearl sale items is unbeatable and it may be a very difficult decision to decide on which item you want to purchase.