Judi McCormick / baroque pearl

What Is The Most Expensive Pearl Neckace Ever Sold?

What Is The Most Expensive Pearl Neckace Ever Sold?

photo courtesy of Sothebys Auction House

Pearls are most seductive and there are many reasons for a pearl necklace to be sold for a mouth watering amount. As well as the beauty of a piece, most often it will have something to do with who owned it previously. 

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Baroque Pearl Figures

Baroque Pearl Figures

These are pictures that I took of Anna Maria de'Medici's Baroque Pearl Figurines in the Argente wing of Florences Pitti Palace last spring. 
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The definitive book on Pearls, by Elisabeth Strack

The definitive book on Pearls, by Elisabeth Strack

At over 700 pages long, I go to Strack's book whenever I have a question about pearls.

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Henry Philip Hope's Gem Collection

Henry Philip Hope's Gem Collection

The Hope Pearl AND the Hope Diamond. Quite a major gem collection.
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Baroque- What Does That Mean?

Baroque- What Does That Mean?

Baroque is a description of a pearl that is non-symmetrical and shaped irregularly. More importantly, barroque (french spelling) was first used to describe pearls. It was not until the 17c. that Baroque came to mean a form of art and architecture.

But, what exactly is a baroque pearl and are they valuable?

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The New World of Cultured Abalone Pearls

The New World of Cultured Abalone Pearls

Abalone pearls are a rare natural pearl. The mollusk, Haliotis is the mother to these iridescent pearl. But she is unable to clot her wounds and thus it is impossible to implant a nucleus to culture a pearl. She would die of bleeding, as a hemophiliac.

Until recently...

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The Imperial Hong Kong Pearl or The Miracle of the Sea

The Imperial Hong Kong Pearl or The Miracle of the Sea

This very large 127.5 carat pearl is a silvery white Baroque pearl. In the Renaissance period, Baroque pearls were highly valued for their unique shapes, which highlighted their luster and colors.

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Historical Pearls-Arco Valley Pearl

Historical Pearls-Arco Valley Pearl

The Arco Valley Pearl dates back to the 11th century and is said to have been owned by several emperors.
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Men in Pearls

Men in Pearls

What a delightful subject. There are just some guys that can pull this off in varying degrees of commitment. Here is the Surfer Style and then there are other men that go all the way.
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The Canning Jewel

The Canning Jewel

I love to write to you about fabulous historical pearl jewelry. As you can see with this brooch, the artist has made superb use of a Baroque pearl to resemble the torso of this dramatic Merman or Triton. There is intricate enamel work and masterful setting of table cut diamonds and rubies
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