| Most people, whether they wear jewelry or not, | | | | enthusiasts have spent considerable time learning |
| are familiar with pearl jewelry (strands of pearls, | | | | about pearls in general and how this item is used |
| stud earrings with pearls, bracelets made from | | | | to make designer jewelry. This preparation will |
| uniform pearls or a finger ring made with a single | | | | allow the customer to converse with a pearl |
| pearl). But there may come a time when even | | | | jewelry designer and understand more about |
| the person who loves pearl jewelry and the | | | | jewelry design and pearl value. |
| wonderful pieces the or she has, wants something | | | | Professionals in the pearl industry use four |
| different and more exotic. | | | | measures to determine the grade of a pearl: size, |
| It may be time to seek out a designer of custom | | | | smoothness, color and lustre. In general, a pearl is |
| jewelry who can work from original ideas to | | | | considered a better grade if it is very smooth and |
| create something very special. In recent years a | | | | white. But the idea of lustre makes a great |
| number individuals and companies have started to | | | | difference in the desirability of a pearl. This |
| offer custom design jewelry, especially with the | | | | feature is best described as the iridescence of the |
| amazing growth of the World Wide Web. But | | | | pearl, a particular, attractive "glow" and interplay |
| some with interest and experience in the area of | | | | of colors that some of the best pearls possess. |
| custom pearl jewelry feel that Japan is the best | | | | Gem-quality pearls will not be flat in appearance |
| place for designer jewelry using the best pearls | | | | and will definitely have this desired brightness and |
| available on the globe. | | | | mix of colors. It is interesting that a pearl that |
| Others disagree, stating firmly that people do not | | | | does not have this shine or glow at first sight, will |
| have to travel to Japan to purchase unique pearl | | | | not "develop" the characteristic. |
| jewelry in person. While Japan may certainly be | | | | Of course, cost and size are closely related in the |
| the ideal destination for those who can afford to | | | | design and construction of a quality pearl jewelry |
| make the trip and purchase exquisite pearl items, | | | | piece. Small pearls can, however, be of very |
| this may not be possible for the majority of | | | | desirable quality, with the correct lustre and color. |
| people. Before frustration sets in however, finding | | | | In fact, some smaller pearls are used in quality |
| a reputable pearl jewelry designer does not have | | | | jewelry precisely because they do not distract |
| to be a futile exercise. | | | | the viewer from the overall design of the item. |
| Custom jewelry designers can produce a unique | | | | Excellent smaller pearls can be used to accent a |
| pearl item, sometimes with a great pearl ready to | | | | larger stone, such as a diamond, making a perfect |
| hand (though a one-of-a-kind necklace, bracelet, | | | | custom ring for example. |
| ring or other piece can be quite expensive). For | | | | The person who has a desire for a great pearl |
| example, a single carat diamond ring with "channel | | | | jewelry piece will need to find a very talented |
| set" pearls for an accent can be constructed by a | | | | designer and craftsman. In addition, the designer |
| good designer if the customer is willing to | | | | and the customer will need to locate just the right |
| compensate the craftsman for his time and for | | | | pearl. If the result is up to expectations, the item |
| the quality materials necessary to make such an | | | | can be passed from generation to generation, |
| item. | | | | gaining in value over the years. |
| Most experienced jewelry collectors and | | | | |