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By Editor 123 [ 08/04/2009 ] Publishing Free Articles Zone articles is subject to our Publisher's Terms Of Service |
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Pearl necklaces are valued according to the pearl pieces’ quality, size, luster, and type. As a general rule, necklaces made from purely natural pearls would cause an arm and a leg. This is because natural pearls or pearls that have been formed without the intervention of human aid are rare. It would take time for each piece to form, and very few of them are of the same size. It might take a lifetime just to form a strand of natural pearls for a necklace.
The difference between natural pearls and cultured pearls can only be ascertained by an x-ray study. Natural pearls have rings of calcium, while cultured pearls have a smoother, more regulated core.
Although cultured pearls are significantly more affordable than natural pearls, not all cultured pearls are graded the same way. As a general rule, pearls which are rarer, or which have a higher quality (more rounded or more lustrous) tend to be pricier. Freshwater cultured pearls, therefore, which tend to be more imperfect or less lustrous, are given a lower price in the market.
Pearl necklaces made from well-rounded Akoya cultured pearls tend to rate higher compared to freshwater pearl necklaces. Akoya cultured pearls are among the most popular choices of cultured pearls in the market because of their near-perfect spherical forms and lustrous, shiny surfaces. However, they still don’t match up to Tahiti black cultured pearls which are so rare that they’re still the most expensive cultured pearls globally.
Cultured vs. Synthetic
You should watch out for fakes when you’re shopping for cultured pearls because some dealers try to mix in synthetic pearls with strands of cultured pearls. You can’t test these against your teeth as cultured pearls also tend to be smooth, not gritty.
You should ask the dealer to scrape the surface of each piece, instead, with a knife. A genuine cultured pearl will only produce powdery debris when scraped with metal. The knife will surely reveal a plastic or glass bead underneath the paint if the pearl is a fake.
About the author:
The article is contributed by a professional content writer, having experiences of working in different industries. For further information on cultured pearl necklaces and Pearl necklaces please visit http://www.alohapearls.com/
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