[Jewelry making - Article 00752] - [Orchid] Pearls of wisdom

[Tas]

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    I've never seen a nice definitive discussion of what the definitions
    of various pearl types are, and of the diferences between related
    types.  There must be someone out there who can untangle these
    strands! 

    I know pearls are formed by molluscs in response to an irritant in
    the mantle - the irritant can be naturally-introduced (grain of
    sand, etc) or something placed by human hands for the critter to
    deposit a covering of nacre - a bead of glass or shell, a shape,
    maybe even a low-quality pearl.  But the labeling of the results has
    me confused.  Really valuable pearls are mostly natural and marine,
    right? 

    What is the difference between "fresh-water pearls" and "cultured
    fresh-water pearls"?   "Fresh-water" and "biwas" pearls?  Aren't
    almost all of the lower-priced pearls these days cultured and
    fresh-water?  Are all those irregularly-shaped, low-priced pearls on
    temporary strands fresh-water, even if called just "cultured"?  Are
    there any un-cultured fresh-water pearls around?  And I know the
    fancy colors are mostly dyed or irradiated, but how about the creams
    and peaches and other sort-of natural pastels?  Can one tell? 

Thanks!

Tas
Earthly Wealth


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