Nacre layers are translucent. As light penetrates them, it bends and reflects back to your eyes. The combination of the effects of refraction and reflection create complex optical effects. Most of the time, the color of a pearl can be influenced by the mollusk's lip, also known as the outer part of the shell.
While this is the classic image for many people, pearls actually come in a wide range of natural colours. Depending on the oyster species, and many other factors including the inserted mantle tissue piece and the oyster's environment, both freshwater and saltwater pearls have very distinctive natural colours.
After pre-treatment washing, most pearls undergo bleaching, dyeing, and a light polishing, and some types also receive luster enhancement. While many people view dyeing negatively, there's little to no stigma associated with these routine pearl treatments.
How to clean pearls that have yellowed. White pearls can yellow over time, but it is possible to brighten them up again. The acetone in nail polish remover can whiten old pearls and clean away stubborn stains.
What Makes Black Pearls So Unique? The unique pearls are formed when the black-lipped Pinctada margaritifera oyster secretes darker coloured nacre instead of the usual glossy white. A black pearl can also be formed from a white pearl-producing oyster that has an unusual black colouring in its nacre.
Gold Pearls
One of the largest and rarest pearls found around the world is Gold in color. They are Golden South Sea pearls, cultured in the Philippine Islands.
The most common color for pearls is white, cream, pink, purple, but they also come in colors such as champagne, chocolate, blue, gold, silver and lavender.
Worn often and properly cared for, pearls can look as good in 50 years as they did the day they left the store. Pearls are not the most durable of gems. Most everyday items at home and in the office are tougher than pearls, so careless contact can cause damage them over time. Chemicals are the primary threat.
The gem has to be protected from heating and open fire (due to the fact that pearls contain 2% of water, they can crack and loose their luster). Keep them away from acid attacks, abrasives, exhalations and cosmetics. Mostly jewelers “revive” pearls with weak solutions of hydrochloric acid or acetic acid.
NEVER USE DETERGENTS, HOUSEHOLD CLEANERS, COMMERCIAL JEWELRY CLEANERS OR TARNISH REMOVERS ON PEARL JEWELRY. Never use your pearl cleaning brush for anything else, and store it where it will not become dusty or soiled. Pearls will naturally darken slightly with age and wear.
Perhaps the best-loved gems of all time, pearls—both natural and modern cultured pearls—occur in a wide variety of colors. The most familiar colors are white and cream (a light yellowish brown). Black, gray, and silver are also fairly common, but the palette of pearl colors extends to every hue.
Sometimes, you can tell just by looking at the color of the pearl. Dyed pearls can have colors that aren't in the palette of natural pearls. These include neons, bright colors like hot pink and overly metallic lustres and shine on the surface of the pearl.
Pearl jewelry usually turns yellow as time passes because they dry out. If there is no air circulation and moisture where pearls are kept, their organic composition begins to change, which results in that yellowing.
Freshwater pearls are cheaper because they are easier to extract, making sea pearls more valued. Why? Sea pearls are larger, more beautiful in shape, luster, smoother surface and, of course, much more expensive than freshwater pearls.
Do pearls lose their luster or become dull? It's possible that pearls can lose their shimmer and shine over time, but you can prevent it from happening by learning how to clean your cultured pearl necklaces, bracelets, rings and earrings.
-Wear your pearls often. Contact with body oils will actually increase their luster. However, avoid contact with cosmetics, hairspray, cologne and perfume - any product containing dyes or alcohol. They have a deteriorating effect on pearls, causing discoloration and possible peeling.
After all, pearls have a predicted lifespan of from one hundred and fifty to two hundred years if cared-for properly. All pearls, whether natural or cultured, anorganic, which means that they were composed by a living organism. "That is the very essence of the warmth and softness of their glow".
Pearls are organically created, so they can be quite delicate. Please avoid any harsh product coming into contact with your jewellery. Cosmetics, moisturisers and perfume may damage the pearl and its jewellery setting. It's always best to wear your pearls last when getting ready, and take them off first.
It's often assumed that because something's old it must be valuable. That's rarely true and certainly not for pearls. Advances in technology and culturing techniques mean you can buy a much better set of pearls for far less money than in grandma's time.
South Sea. South Sea pearls are often referred to as the Rolls Royce of pearls. They are the largest and most valuable pearls grown today, with average sizes ranging from 10 to 15 millimeters. South Sea pearls grow in a large pearl oyster native to Australia, the Philippines, Myanmar and Indonesia.
Fine Japanese Akoya Pearls
Perfectly round, beautifully matched, with a mirror like luster – Japanese Akoya pearls can't be matched for quality and high-end appeal. This is the classic pearl necklace.
The Pearl of Puerto, the Giga Pearl, and the Pearl of Lao Tzu (Pearl of Allah) are all rare, natural pearls that come from large clams found off the coast of the Philippines. Currently valued at over $100 million, the Pearl of Puerto would be a lifelong fortune for the fisherman if it is eventually sold.