Pearl Jewelry Make Headlines as Famous Strands Go On Auction

Pearl jewelry has shot to the top of the news recently, as Calvin Klein and his ex-wife decided to sell three pieces of famous natural-pearl and diamond jewelry. These lovely pieces, one which is a 14-inch necklace with 28 natural pearls, once was owned by the Dutchess of Windsor.

The pieces will be sold by auction at Sotheby’s in New York in December 2007. Estimates of the collection’s worth goes as high as $3.1 million. Klein originally paid $733,000 for the pieces at a Sotheby sale in 1987.

The pearls in this Windsor collection are from 16.8 to 9.2 mm in size and are completed by an oval clasp set with two emerald cut diamonds with a weight of 2 carats. There also are fancy shaped diamonds weighing 1 carat, which is bordered by 20 small round diamonds weighing .70 carat.

Other Klein pearl jewelry offerings at the upcoming auction will include a pearl and diamond pendant by Cartier and a pair of pearl earrings by Van Cleef & Arpels.

As can be seen with the estimated value of the Windsor pearls, natural pearls have appreciated significantly in value in the last 20 years. In April, the two-strand Indian ``Baroda'' pearl necklace brought $7.1 million at Christie's International New York. This set a world record for natural pearl jewelry.

The premium prices and great fame of these particular pearl jewelry pieces highlight the high place pearl jewelry has in our consciousness. There are many outstanding places to purchase pearl jewelry. Some of the most famous types of pearls include Tahitian pearls and freshwater pearls.

Tahitian cultured pearls are a dramatic black color that comes from the black lips of the oyster. They are normally referred to as black pearls. However, the color of Tahitian pearls can range from graphite to beautiful metallic silver.
The beauty and high value of natural pearls makes it assured that a famous collection of these prized jewels will make headlines again soon!

article written by Sarah Baltic.

Pearl Jewelry Make Headlines as Famous Strands Go On Auction

pearl jewelry

Pearl Jewelry Make Headlines as Famous Strands Go On Auction

Pearl jewelry has shot to the top of the news recently, as Calvin Klein and his ex-wife decided to sell three pieces of famous natural-pearl and diamond jewelry. These lovely pieces, one which is a 14-inch necklace with 28 natural pearls, once was owned by the Dutchess of Windsor.

The pieces will be sold by auction at Sotheby’s in New York in December 2007. Estimates of the collection’s worth goes as high as $3.1 million. Klein originally paid $733,000 for the pieces at a Sotheby sale in 1987.

The pearls in this Windsor collection are from 16.8 to 9.2 mm in size and are completed by an oval clasp set with two emerald cut diamonds with a weight of 2 carats. There also are fancy shaped diamonds weighing 1 carat, which is bordered by 20 small round diamonds weighing .70 carat.

Other Klein pearl jewelry offerings at the upcoming auction will include a pearl and diamond pendant by Cartier and a pair of pearl earrings by Van Cleef & Arpels.

As can be seen with the estimated value of the Windsor pearls, natural pearls have appreciated significantly in value in the last 20 years. In April, the two-strand Indian ``Baroda'' pearl necklace brought $7.1 million at Christie's International New York. This set a world record for natural pearl jewelry.

The premium prices and great fame of these particular pearl jewelry pieces highlight the high place pearl jewelry has in our consciousness. There are many outstanding places to purchase pearl jewelry. Some of the most famous types of pearls include Tahitian pearls and freshwater pearls.

Tahitian cultured pearls are a dramatic black color that comes from the black lips of the oyster. They are normally referred to as black pearls. However, the color of Tahitian pearls can range from graphite to beautiful metallic silver.
The beauty and high value of natural pearls makes it assured that a famous collection of these prized jewels will make headlines again soon!

article written by Sarah Baltic.

Pearl Jewelry Make Headlines as Famous Strands Go On Auction

pearl jewelry

Pearl Care

To keep your pearls in perfect condition and maintain their luster and brilliance, you have to keep several things in mind. First of all, you must understand that pearls are organic substances and therefore need special care. They will easily get damaged by any harsh material that comes in contact with them.

To keep pearls looking their very best you need just a little knowledge on how to care for them correctly.

All pearls, including freshwater pearls are delicate organic gems that are made of the natural product called calcium carbonate. This product is drawn from the lake or river by the mussel that the pearl lives in. Pearls were once living and growing so you will have to take special care to keep them from harm. Ironically, the products that harm pearls most are the very things that the woman uses always uses. These are perfumes, hair sprays and cosmetics and face creams she will definitely use. These grooming products and other household chemicals if sprayed near pearls can build up on the pearl and damage the luster. The nacre can become marked, dull and pitted. They will tend to loose the exquisite luminous luster that defines a pearl.

Rules of Pearl Care

The most important point to remember to prevent damage to your pearls is by following the golden rule of putting your pearls on as the last thing you do when finishing your grooming. Put the pearls on after you have applied make up, perfume and hair sprays, never before. Never spray perfume on the neck area where the pearls will actually rest. Also avoid touching your pearls when you have just applied hand cream. If you need to reapply hair spray at some time, slip the pearls off for a moment and put them well out of range. Likewise make pearls the first thing you remove after a night out. Only after this you may remove your makeup, wipe your face and neck with cleansers or facial wipes, or night creams. Soon as you remove your pearls wipe them with a soft damp cloth. Buff them occasionally with a silk cloth to enhance their shine and luster. Be careful not fling them in a jumble on the dressing table; instead ensure that you put them back in their original container.
Storage

Mostly pearls are sold with a silk jewellery pouch and this is the best way to store your pearls. Velvet lined boxes with separate compartments are also safe to use as are chamois leather pouches. When pearls are transported, they may be wrapped in bubble wrap for protection, but you should never store the pearls in this plastic long term.

If you throw pearls into a jewel box full of other tangled jewellery your pearls will soon lose their lustrous sparkle, the surface will become scratched, wires will become bent and clasps scratched.


Please visit author’s websites at Costume Fashion Jewelry, Wedding Jewelry, Pearl Jewelry and Jewelry Articles.

A Guide To Pearl Jewelry

Since times immemorial, pearls have been used widely to make stunning jewelry. More than two thousand years ago in China, the first pearl was used an offering for the emperor, as pearls in those times were regarded to be extremely valuable.

Naturally, the royal family was keen on owning these immaculate pearls to use them to make exquisite accessories. Pearls were not only used for making jewelry but also used to adorn the royal crowns. Soon, pearls were being used to make elegant furniture and even decorate tombs.

Historical evidence suggests that Queen Dowager Cixi's tomb was decorated using 20,000 pearls and one of the pearls was almost as large as an egg. In olden times, natural pearls were used and pearl hunting was therefore in full swing.

Being not so easily found, pearls were priceless for the rich and elite class. The obsession for pearls grew so much that common people were not allowed to wear pearls in some countries making it a privilege only of the nobles. Pearls today signify purity and are synonymous with timeless beauty and grace.

In recent times, the development of pearl cultivation has given birth to cultured pearls that have given a new meaning to pearl jewelry. Cultured pearls are readily available everywhere and are not too heavy on the pocket. Pearls come in different shapes and sizes and can be easily adapted to make an array of unique designs. When selecting pearl jewelry, you need to consider several factors such as the type of pearl you may want to have, the quality of pearls, shape, size, color, and style.

Type: Freshwater pearls may be your best bet if you are looking for variety in colors and shapes however, these are not as shiny as saltwater pearls that have more luster. Akoya pearls are quite similar to freshwater pearls and are generally found in Japan. As compared to freshwater pearls they have more luster and are also quite symmetrical. The Australian South Sea pearls are larger than other varieties and usually cost more. Tahitian pearls are supposed to be very expensive and are as large as South Sea pearls.

Quality: The quality of pearls is determined on the basis of their size, shape, surface, and luster. As a rule of thumb, pearls that have good luster, round shape, smooth surface, and are big in size are the ones that are usually most expensive and also very rare.

Shape: While pearls come in different shapes such as irregular, teardrop, oval and round shape, the round ones are the most expensive of the lot.

Size: Cost will increase as the size of the pearl increases and jewelry made using big pearls is therefore extremely expensive.

Color: Although pearls are available in different colors, the value of pearls remain unaffected no matter what color it is.

Style: Choose a style that suits your age, personality, and of course, the occasion for which you are buying. You may choose very elegant but small pearl jewelry pieces if you wish to wear them at work.

You can continue to flaunt your pearl jewelry for years and even pass them on to future generations. All you need to do is take proper care and clean it after each use to retain its luster. When not in use, pearl jewelry must be tucked away in soft cloth bags or jewelry pouches away from sunlight.

Victor Epand is an expert consultant about jewelry and diamonds. When looking for jewelry, we recommend you shop only at the best online jewelry stores for pearl jewelry, loose pearls, diamond rings, fashion pearl jewelry, pearl earrings, pearl pendants, pearl engagement rings, wedding rings, and wedding bands.