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How to open your Wish Pearl.
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Pearl
History |
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 Nearly all of the pearls sold today are cultured. Each shell
is guaranteed to produce a pearl. Pearls cultivate for a
minimum of 3 to 5 years. They reach maturity at 5 to 7
millimeters in diameter. The original irritant naturally
dissolves, leaving only the pearl.
Pearls are the oldest known gems dating back to 520 BC. In
olden times the pearl represented the moon, which was
enchanted with powers. Only Romans with high-ranking status
were allowed to own pearl jewelry. In fact, the Latin word
for pearl means “unique”. A natural pearl is rare and if not
for cultured pearls, the pearl trade would be extinct. Only
extremely wealthy people would have the opportunity to own
these treasures if not for the cultured pearl.
What is the difference between a cultured pearl and a
natural pearl?
Both pearls are created by various mollusks. Mollusks are a
group of invertebrate animals, which are characterized by
the presence of a calcious shell - which is a kind of
exoskeleton. They are defined by the presence of two
laterally-compressed shells, hinged together by an elastic
ligament. Well-developed adductor muscles close the shells.
They each produce pearls when a very small intruder gets
into the mollusk and irritates it. It is layer after layer
of Nacre (na-cre), or mother of pearl, that creates the
pearl and gives it their luster or shine.
In the cultured pearl, the irritant is placed causing the
creation of the pearl. The original irritant naturally
dissolves, leaving only the pearl. So you see, a Cultured Pearl is a real pearl, only using a
semi-controlled environment and human intervention to
initiate the process.
How to care for your pearls.
Pearls can be damaged by:
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Oils (food and skin)
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Vinegar
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Drinking wines
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Perfumes
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Shampoos
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Hairspray
You can clean your pearls by just wiping them off with a
soft cloth. The cloth can be dry or damp. Place your pearls
flat on a damp kitchen towel. When the towel is dry, so are
your pearls. If pearls accumulate dirt and build up, take
them to a jeweler for proper cleaning. Remember to never
wear pearl jewelry if the string is wet.
For more information about Pearls, we recommend the
following links;
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