| want a nice pearl necklace but you are on a very | | | | pearls. Due to the complexity of pearl pricing, it' |
| limited budget. How can you find a strand you like | | | | easier for consumers to compare pearls that are |
| at a good price? | | | | alike or at least similar. |
| First you are showed a strand of Japanese | | | | Look at a variety of qualities so you'll have a basis |
| saltwater pearls. You point out that the pearls are | | | | for comparison. |
| round and well matched, but their pearl coating is | | | | Remember that there is no standardized system |
| very thin. Consequently the strand is not a good | | | | for grading pearls. As a consequence, grades such |
| choice for long-term, every-day wear. You add | | | | as "A" have no meaning other than what the |
| that the round white saltwater pearls in your price | | | | seller assigns to them. In some cases, an "A" |
| range tend to have a thin coating, no matter | | | | grade may be the lowest quality a store stocks. |
| where they're sold. You wonder why no other | | | | The lack of standardization does not mean there's |
| jewelers ever mentioned this to you. | | | | no point in grading pearls. It's just an added |
| Then you are showed some strands of | | | | reason why you need to know how to judge |
| freshwater pearls and asked to compare them to | | | | pearl quality yourself. |
| the first strand. They're a lot more lustrous. Then | | | | Be willing to compromise. You can settle for |
| you are helped pick out an affordable strand that | | | | something other than what you might have |
| looks good on you. You are impressed with the | | | | preferred in order to stay within your budget. You |
| sale person's selection of pearls and his or her | | | | may get freshwater instead of saltwater pearls |
| straightforward approach. You plan on coming | | | | and accept the pearls badly flawed on one side. |
| back to the sale person's for the rest of your | | | | Even people with unlimited budgets have to |
| jewelry needs, including a strand of good | | | | compromise sometimes on the size, shape, color |
| saltwater pearls when you have more to spend. | | | | or quality due to lack of availability. A pearl doesn't |
| For example, you want to buy your wife some | | | | have to be perfect for you to enjoy it. |
| pearls for your 30th anniversary, since this is the | | | | Beware of sales ads that seem too good to be |
| traditional gift. You and your wife have been | | | | true. The advertised pearls might be of |
| happily married for many years, so you want the | | | | unacceptable quality, especially in terms of nacre |
| pearls to be of unusually fine quality. You have | | | | thickness. Or they might be stolen or |
| read The Pearl Buying Guide and are aware that | | | | misrepresented. Jewelers are in business to make |
| pearls have many subtle quality differences. You | | | | money, not to lose it. |
| realize you will need some expert help. | | | | If possible, establish a relationship with a jeweler |
| As you shop, you discover that you know more | | | | you can trust and who looks after your interests. |
| than a lot of the salespeople. | | | | He can help you find buys you wouldn't find on |
| Eventually, you find somebody who is really | | | | your own. |
| knowledgeable about pearls-Sandy, a college | | | | Place the pearls against your hand and answer the |
| student who works part-?time to pay her way | | | | following questions. A negative answer suggests |
| through school. Sandy has always had a keen | | | | the pearls are a poor choice.a. Do the pearls have |
| interest in gems, especially pearls, and she takes | | | | bright, sharp light reflections?b. Do the pearls have |
| advantage of every opportunity to learn as much | | | | overtone colors? (This is a characteristic of pearls |
| as possible about them. | | | | with good luster.)c. Does the color of the pearls |
| You already know that you want either pink or | | | | look good next to your skin? |
| white saltwater pearls in the 7 to 8 millimeter | | | | The preceding guidelines in essence suggest that |
| range. Sandy brings out a variety of strands and | | | | you learn how to evaluate pearls. But why is it so |
| points out the fine nuances of luster, color and | | | | important for you to do this? Why should |
| surface markings. Then she helps you choose two | | | | jewelers educate you about pearl quality? Is it |
| strands, which they will have strung with three | | | | just to help you compare prices? No. Learning |
| mystery clasps. That way your wife can wear | | | | more about pearls will help you make a choice |
| the pearls in different necklace lengths and as a | | | | you can enjoy for a lifetime and will help you |
| bracelet. This is a quick and easy sale for Sandy, | | | | appreciate the unique qualities of the pearls you |
| and it's a pleasant experience for you. You've | | | | choose. How can you appreciate something you |
| gotten efficient, professional help and exactly the | | | | don't understand? |
| kind of pearls you were looking for. | | | | As you learn to compare luster differences |
| Another example, you are in a Tahitian jewelry | | | | among pearls, you will see how pearl brilliance |
| store looking through a bowl of black pearls. | | | | differs from that of other gems. The brilliance of |
| Before coming to Tahiti on holiday, you read the | | | | faceted gems normally appears best in their |
| Pearl Buying Guide. The salesman in the store tells | | | | face?up position. No matter how you hold or wear |
| you that you can have any of the pearls in the | | | | good pearls, they glow. Even away from light |
| bowl for the equivalent of $120. You first pick out | | | | they glow. And this glow has an intensity and |
| the ones with the best luster. Then you eliminate | | | | depth unmatched by any other shiny round |
| those that are either too light or have no | | | | object. |
| overtone colors. Finally, you end up with a fairly | | | | As you learn to compare the color nuances of |
| large, tear-drop-shaped, dark-gray pearl with | | | | pearls, you'll see that good pearls are not just |
| some greenish and purplish highlights. One side of | | | | white. They have a variety of underlying colors |
| the pearl, however, is badly flawed. But you plan | | | | which add to their beauty. And they come in a |
| to wear it as a pendant, so the flaws won't show. | | | | wide spectrum of body colors. Some people say |
| On the flight back home, you sketch a design for | | | | that pearls make them look washed out. These |
| the pendant and then later has your jeweler | | | | people change their mind when they see black |
| make it. You are told you could never find a black | | | | pearls and when they try on lighter pearls that |
| pearl as attractive as yours for such a low price. | | | | enhance their body coloring. |
| When the pendant is finished, you try it on. You | | | | As you are introduced to the different pearl |
| are very pleased with how it looks. But you are | | | | shapes, you'll see how pearls offer creative design |
| even more pleased that you own a unique piece | | | | possibilities unlike any other gem. Even a basic |
| which you has helped create. | | | | strand of round pearls can be worn in creative, |
| Shopping for pearls turned out to be a positive | | | | versatile ways. |
| experience for you. This was largely because you | | | | Pearls can be worn anywhere, at any time, with |
| took the time to learn about pearls beforehand | | | | anything. And even though pearls offer all these |
| and/or you dealt with a competent salesperson. | | | | positive features, you don't have to be rich to |
| Listed below are some guidelines that can help | | | | own fine-quality pearls. If you are willing to |
| you when you shop for pearls. | | | | compromise on the type of pearls you choose, |
| Look for luster. This was the first quality factor | | | | you should be able to find good ones to fit almost |
| that is focused attention on because it's the most | | | | any budget. |
| important one. To understand why, just compare | | | | But to spot good pearls, you need to know how |
| dull milky pearls to some highly lustrous ones. Pearl | | | | to judge their quality. So look at pearls whenever |
| luster section gives you tips on judging luster. | | | | possible. Take time to analyze them. Ask jewelers |
| When judging prices, try to compare pearls of the | | | | to explain their quality differences. Gradually, you'll |
| same type, shape, size, color, luster and blemish | | | | learn to recognize good value, and you'll see that |
| quality. All of these factors affect the cost of | | | | the pearl is a remarkable gem which has no peer. |