| An online jewellery store is a fantastic source for | | | | My fiancée has given me a beautiful pair |
| beautiful Pearl Bridal Jewellery and these are our | | | | of freshwater pearl earrings to wear on our |
| top tips for wearing Pearl Bridal Jewellery on your | | | | wedding day. How should I look after them? |
| wedding day. | | | | Freshwater pearls are natural and delicate and |
| I want to wear Pearl Bridal Jewellery for my | | | | they need to be treated with special care. Never |
| wedding but I don't know much about it. Can you | | | | bring your pearls in to contact with hot water, |
| tell me about the different types of pearls? | | | | chemicals, chlorinated water, sun cream or bleach. |
| There are 3 different kinds of pearls: real pearls; | | | | Pearls are very porous and will soak up just about |
| sea shell pearls; and glass pearls. Real pearls either | | | | any substance they come in contact with. Never |
| come from freshwater mussels or seawater | | | | leave your pearls exposed to direct sunlight or |
| oysters. Freshwater pearls are the most popular | | | | strong halogen lights as this can fade their colour. |
| pearls and they are mainly produced in Japan, | | | | When you have finished wearing your Pearl Bridal |
| China and the United States. Freshwater pearls | | | | Jewellery, make sure that it is completely dry and |
| are noted for their wide range of colour and their | | | | store it separately from your other jewellery, |
| natural lustrous shine. The more round the pearl, | | | | preferably wrapped in a soft cloth or pouch. If |
| the more expensive it is. Seashell pearls are made | | | | you follow these simple guidelines, your Pearl Bridal |
| from crushed seashells, which are then | | | | Jewellery will last a lifetime. |
| reconstituted into a pearl. They offer a much | | | | I have got some pearls at home in my jewellery |
| wider range of colours whilst weighing and feeling | | | | box which I was given as a present for my 21st |
| like a real pearl, but at a much lower cost. Glass | | | | and which I would like to wear as my Pearl Bridal |
| pearls are just that. They are fake pearls made | | | | Jewellery. How can I tell whether they are real or |
| from glass and coated with a special material to | | | | fake? |
| look like real pearls. | | | | Do the tooth test! Fake pearls, i.e. glass and |
| My Grandmother has given me her pearl necklace | | | | seashell pearls, can be easily detected with the |
| to wear on my wedding day but it is just a plain | | | | simple tooth test. Very gently scrape the pearls |
| single strand and I really want to wear Pearl Bridal | | | | along the ridges of your top teeth. If the pearls |
| Jewellery that a bit more elaborate on the day | | | | glide easily, they're fake. However, if you feel a |
| because my wedding dress is quite plain. | | | | slight gritty abrasiveness, it's more likely that your |
| Wearing a much-loved family heirloom is lovely, | | | | pearls are real. If you don't fancy the tooth test |
| but it's not always simple. Why not have your | | | | or if you want to be 100% sure, take your pearls |
| grandmother's pearl necklace taken apart and | | | | into jewellers and ask for their expert opinion. |
| re-made into a unique piece of Wedding Jewellery | | | | I would like to give my bridesmaids pearls to |
| created especially for your wedding. Before going | | | | wear on my big day but I would like something a |
| ahead I would definitely recommend speaking to | | | | bit different to the traditional white or ivory Pearl |
| your grandmother to explain your situation and | | | | Bridal Jewellery. Can you help? |
| ask her if she is happy for you to do this or not. | | | | Yes! Pearls come in a vast array of colours these |
| I often see the pearls used in Pearl Bridal | | | | days and gone are the days when you had to |
| Jewellery described as "cultured". What does this | | | | stick with the traditional colours. Both freshwater |
| mean? | | | | and sea shell pearls come in many, many different |
| A real pearl is produced inside the living tissue of | | | | colours from pale lilac to shimmering green, pink, |
| an oyster (or mussel). Natural pearls are very | | | | peach and blue and every colour in between. All |
| rare and almost every pearl on the market today | | | | you need to decide for your Bridesmaids |
| is "cultured". "Cultured" pearls are cultivated in | | | | Jewellery is which colour goes best with your |
| large oyster/mussel farms where a small "seed" is | | | | bridesmaids dresses. For a contemporary look, |
| placed inside the shell and allowed to become | | | | why not pick a colour, which contrasts with the |
| coated with nacre (mother of pearl), which the | | | | colour of their dresses. For example, if you have |
| oysters/mussels use to protect themselves from | | | | got hot pink or dusky pink dresses, green |
| such irritants. Producers of cultured pearls wash, | | | | jewellery will look stunning and if you have gone |
| feed, maintain water temperature and control | | | | for chocolate brown dresses, pale blue jewellery |
| pollutants but the oyster/mussel still has control | | | | will look sensational. |
| of the pearl it produces. | | | | |