Nucleation Nucleation is the process of surgically implanting a spherical “starter” mother of pearl bead into the gonad organ of (in saltwater) oysters or (in freshwater) mussels. It is an extremely delicate operation to slice into the organ without harming the mollusk. Along with the bead, a tiny piece of mantel tissue that is cut...
Read more
In this photo from the Gemological Institute of America, from top to bottom, these Japanese saltwater cultured pearls show excellent, very good, good, fair, and poor luster. The differences in the sharpness of the reflections between each adjacent strand are subtle but still noticeable. Luster is one of the most significant pearl qualities. The luster...
Read more
Matching is one of the Classic qualities of pearl judging. The perfect necklace would have all perfectly round, matching in every aspect, pearls. To make this necklace all of these pearls had to be the same round shape, the same color or tone of color, the same perfect surface condition, the same size…
Read more
I started in my last email illuminating on the first of the Pearl Qualities, Size. This time we will talk about Shape. Usually, the more round and symmetrical the shape, the more value the pearl will have. Round, Off Round or Potato Pearls, Drop, Baroque, and Circle Pearls are the run down in order of value...
Read more
Highly Lustrous Akoya pearls come from the white Pinctada Fucata oysters of Japan. Akoya pearls are stars in the fashion world right now. In recent years, fashion-forward women have given celebrity status to the beautifully lustrous Akoya pearls in fine jewelry. Why are Akoya pearls creating such a buzz? Akoya oysters, which grow...
Read more
One of the most famous pearls was found off an island in the Americas. It is a fabulously large natural pearl that is the size of a pigeon’s egg. It has had many illustrious owners, among them Elizabeth Taylor, Philip II of Spain, and Mary Tudor of England. I had the extreme pleasure of trying...
Read more
Today all pearls with a very few exceptions are cultured pearls. In 1905, Kokichi Mikimoto began experimenting with native Japanese Akoya shells and discovered the beginnings of culturing pearls. His experiments, although there are many different techniques, are the foundation of pearl farming all over the world today. Pearl farms can be in...
Read more
This is my current post to Instagram. It’s fun to be able to see the photos and information if you miss it in your feed, or just don’t “do” Instagram!
Read more
What fun to be connected to my Instagram feed. Lots of color and fun pictures. It’s all about lifestyle, baby.
Read more
I want to share with you some pictures that I took in my fabulously creative cousin’s fantasy garden. She has paintings and sculptures and wild tropical plants that I had a wild time draping my jewelry over.
Read more
From time to time, I will post and upload a limited sale of something I had an inspiration for either in the middle of the night or while swimming laps. Today I am premiering my haute hippi brass bracelets with large minerals and gems in wonderful wearable colors. These are very reasonably priced at $49.95
Read more
Truly, who knew! It is incredibly exciting and gratifying to have such great feedback. Thank you, thank you, thank you.
Read more
