Pearls and Romance

Pearls softly glow in the candlelight while the bride and groom kneel at the altar. Traditional for a wedding day, pearls become precious mementos handed down from generation to generation. Pearls epitomize romance, thus it is easy to understand our fascination with them.

Yielded from a living organism, they are smooth to the touch, delightful to the eye and pleasing to wear. Not only do pearls bring an indefinable luster to the most solemn of occasions, they easily transition to the everyday, workaday world. Tahitian pearls—the dark, mysterious gems of the sea—can command attention when used singly as the centerpiece of a pendant or ring. They are at their most amazing, however, when matched in size and shape and sold as a perfect strand. Pearl earrings, a beautiful pearl ring or a glowing pearl necklace is the classic look that never changes.

Unlike many gems, pearls reveal much about themselves by their surface appearance. A discerning eye can usually get a fair idea of the pearl's source, whether it is natural or cultured, and its quality.

The type of pearl is generally determined by its origin. Akoya is the most familiar and is generally what we think of when we see a strand of pearls. Cultured in Japan, it is usually round, a shade of white and less than 9mm in size. South Sea pearls, grown in the atolls and warm lagoons of the South Pacific, are usually 10mm or larger and may be silver, black or yellowish in color. Chinese pearls are grown in fresh water mollusks and vary in size and shape.

Virtually all the pearls on the market today are cultured. A tiny bead injected into a mollusk stimulates the growth of nacre covering the bead in layers. Several hundred layers are needed for a nice pearl, a thousand or more for top grade.

Closer scrutiny will reveal the color, luster, size, shape, and surface perfection, all of which affect a pearl's impact and beauty. Since "beauty is in the eye of the beholder," these are the characteristics which reveal our individual preferences. From lovely peach tones to rich blacks and silvers to pearly white, all have the lure of the romantic pearl.

Fashionable, timeless, romantic…all of these words describe pearl jewelry. Our collection reflects the individuality of every pearl and every person. Which one will you choose?