Do Ladies Like Pearl Jewelry Or Gold Jewelry?
It’s beautiful, it’s classic, and it’s considered the queen of precious stones. We’re talking, of course, about the pearl. Every woman should have a real pearl necklace, for those occasions when elegance is imperative and classic simplicity is preferred. Does this mean a pearl necklace is more desirable than a gold necklace? Not necessarily. Both have their charms, and which a lady wears depends on the occasion and her personal sense of style. Of course, there’s really no need to choose, as there are many exquisite pieces that combine gold and pearls beautifully.
Pearls have been treasured since antiquity, but because of their rarity, they used to be available only to the very wealthy. Pearl jewelry has been found in tombs dating from 520 BCE, and in many cultures, they were considered magical and sacred. They also served as currency, and had enough value to fund in a military uprising in the days of the Roman Empire. In the early 20th century Mikimoto Kokichi discovered that by injecting an irritant into an oyster, he could create a Pearl. The injected irritant what caused the oyster to produce an acre around the nuclei. Once this was known, and pearls could be produced rather than found, it changed the jewelry industry forever.
The famous Coco Chanel wore pearls with everything from beach pajamas to her hunting jacket, and style icons like Clara Bow were known for wearing long pearl strands. In the 1930s, the style changed, and the necklaces were looped, making a cascade of shorter strands of pearls the popular style. Today, pearls are easy to find, but uncultured pearls, the ones found in the wild with no human intervention in their creation, are rarely found outside of antique jewelry. That’s one reason shopping for antique jewelry is so rewarding: you may find treasures otherwise unavailable.
Whether you’re buying gold or pearls, it’s important to know how to check for quality. Typically, fine jewelry is made with 18 carat gold, though 14 and 10 carat pieces can also be beautiful. You probably know to look for the 18k, 14k, or 10k, but did you know that you can ask the jeweler about the hallmark? The hallmark is made of a sponsor’s mark, a fineness mark, and an assay office mark, and it indicates that the jewelry is authentic. When you’re shopping for pearls, look for pearls with some weight to them, uniform, round shapes, unblemished surfaces, and luminous color. On a pearl necklace, the cord should be knotted after each pearl, so that if it breaks, the pearls will not all go flying in different directions. If you’re buying new pearls, talk to your jeweler about the origin of the pearls: South Sea pearls are the most valuable.
If you’re looking for antique or vintage pearl jewelry, check out DazzleMe.com. The online jewelry store of Home Consignment Center, DazzleMe.com was created to cater to the needs of men and women looking for the world’s best jewelry. With about 70 percent brand-new, on-trend fine jewelry consigned from designers and manufacturers and 30 percent vintage and pre-owned pieces, we’ve got something for everyone. Our unique online jewelry store is the perfect place to find everything from antique to ultra-modern jewelry, with thousands of high-end designer pieces available and new items arriving daily. When you’re on the hunt for beautiful, one-of-a-kind jewelry, you owe it to yourself to start your treasure hunt at DazzleMe.com. Contact us with any questions or concerns, check out the wealth of information on our site, or feel free to just start shopping!