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When the first warnings about color enhancement of golden South Sea pearls came out five years ago, fear struck the South Sea pearl industry. Some of the new enhancement methods for golden pearls were nearly undetectable, leaving dealers and retailers guessing how many pearls on the market were treated and wondering whether golden pearls were going to be the gem world's next disclosure scandal.... (2003) Complete Story
Pearls don't need polishing or faceting to reveal their natural beauty. That's why pearls were among the first gems worn by humans. The oldest known pearl necklaces graced the necks of women more than 4,000 years ago....
(2001) Complete Story
Pearls are organic gem materials form in a variety of mollusks when the mollusk covers an irritant with layers of nacre. Oysters, mussels, conch, and abalone can produce pearls. Oysters and mussels can do this job by themselves when an irritant accidentally enters its shell to produce natural pearls or can be aided by man introducing a bead into the mollusk to produce cultured pearls.... (1999) Complete Story
Since the beginning of time, man has sought to improve upon nature. Pearls are no exception. The majority of today's cultured pearls have undergone some form of processing or treatment after their removal from the mollusk. The only way to confidently buy in the wholesale arena is to learn what to look for and what to beware of....
(2004) Complete Story
In addition to black pearls, the sultry waters of the South Pacific also produce white pearls. Three species of pearl oyster are found in southern Pacific waters. The most important of these, the Pinctada maxima, is the largest of the pearl oysters. Three subspecies or varieties of Pinctada maxima are the white lip, silver lip, and the yellow or golden lip oysters. The largest known pearl produced by the Pinctada maxima oyster is 24mm in diameter. These three siblings produce pearls that range from a white to silver white through yellow to a distinct golden hue.... (2006) Complete Story
