7 Pearl Jewelry Terms You Must Know

Author: Pearl Classic

When shopping for pearl jewelry , whether online or in a jewelry store, you are going to see and hear some industry terms that you may not be that familiar with. You’ll be told that the nacre of this pearl is thick, it’s luster is excellent, it’s surface is clean and that is why it retails for $999. The only thing you might recognize from that description is the price! So educating yourself on the terminology used to describe pearl jewelry before you begin shopping will allow you to accurately compare pearls from one another, understand their value, and can lead you to making a very good purchase on quality pearls. You may even end up saving a few dollars just by knowing a few terms! Cultured vs Natural Let’s start with knowing the difference between Cultured Pearls and Natural Pearls. While both are real pearls, the way they are created is what sets them apart. Cultured pearls are harvested on pearl farms in controlled conditions. With the assistance of pearl farmers, they insert an object into the mollusk to jump start the creation of the pearl. The end result is still an authentic pearl that carries the same properties as a natural pearl. Natural pearls by contrast are those found in their natural environment. They are pearls that have been stumbled upon by chance. Therefore, natural pearl jewelry may carry a heavier price tag than cultured pearl jewelry because of the unique, natural quality they have. Cultured pearls tend to be more affordable because of their ability to be mass produced. However, each is still very similar in their qualities and authenticity. Shape As you study the pearls that interest you, pay close attention to the shape of the pearl. The closer each pearl is to a perfect sphere or being perfectly round, the higher in value the jewelry will be. Round pearls are pretty rare to come across and only account for a small percentage of the pearls coming out of pearl farms. From there, you will see the term Near-round to describe pearls that are not quite perfectly round, but close to it. Oval pearls look just as they sound. Button style pearls are pearls that appear to be thinner, or squashed by comparison. Drop pearls have the appearance of a tear drop. Lastly are Baroque pearls. These pearls are irregular in shape and are non-symmetrical as well. In fact, the actual shapes of a baroque pearl can range from simply being semi-round to stick or cross shaped. Many times however, a strand of baroque pearls will be similar to each other thus creating a uniform strand. Incidentally, Tahitian and South Sea baroque pearls are also very unique as the process to create them takes much longer. Therefore, their value may be considered greater. Nacre / Mother-of-Pearl Nacre, or mother-of-pearl, is a secretion of calcium carbonate and conchiolin that a mollusk will release to cover an object such as a grain of sand that has entered the mollusk. This object acts as an irritant and triggers the secretion to begin. Layers and layers of nacre will build around this object and leads to the production of a pearl. In fact, a real pearl can be identified by its layers of nacre present. The thicker the nacre, the higher quality and more durable your pearl is against nicks, scratches and overall wear and tear. Luster Luster is a term used to describe a pearls ability to reflect light. The more translucent each layer of the pearl, the greater its ability to reflect light. You can visually determine a pearls luster by its ability to show your reflection or have shine to it. If the pearl is dull or really doesn’t have a reflection, then it is considered to be poor in quality. Surface A pearls surface can be described as clean, blemished or marked. The surface is basically how you see the pearl. Looking at it, do you see any marks or discolorations in its coating or color? If you do, these are the pearls blemishes or marks. If a pearl does not appear to have any, then it is described as clean. A pearl with a clean surface is considered to have a higher value than a pearl with a blemished surface. If you have your eyes set on a strand of clean pearls, be sure that the strand is uniform and that each pearl has a clean surface. While blemished pearls are considered to be lesser in value, they are still considered to be of good quality. Pearls whose surface is so poor generally do not make it to the jewelry stage. Color Colors of pearls vary from bright whites to rich shades of black. The color of the pearl will depend on the types of pearls you are looking at. For instance Akoya pearls generally come in whites with cream or pink overtones. Tahitian pearls on the other hand are most likely black or shades of gray. South Sea pearls meanwhile are generally associated with golden pearls. The color of pearls really doesn’t affect the pricing of it. However you will want to be sure that all of the other quality factors still apply to the pearls you are considering. Your choice of colored pearls should be chosen carefully to compliment your skin tone. As a rule of thumb, people with tan or darker skin tones tend to find darker pearls or pearls with cream overtones to compliment their skin best. Women with lighter, fairer skin will find that pearls with pink or rose overtones work well. Grades With so many terms used to describe pearl jewelry, it’s not a wonder we felt the need to write this article! However, all of these characteristics can be combined and defined with a simple grade. Yes, pearls receive grades based upon their quality. There are three grades that can be assigned to a pearl ranging from A to AAA. A pearl with a grade of AAA means these pearls are of the highest quality and greatest value. It means all of the characteristics listed out above are of the best conditioning. You can expect these types of pearls to be higher in price. Pearl jewelry given a grade of AA is your middle of the road pearl. The pearls generally will be round or near-round shape and may have slight blemishes here and there. These and the rest of the qualities will either be considered of high quality or slightly below. Lastly, pearl jewelry given an A generally means you’ll find a few more blemishes, a lower luster quality, and either a near round or semi-round shape. It is important to note that pearls with a lower grade do not necessarily mean they are not worth the investment. They are still quality, authentic pearls that have been matched with each other to create a uniform, cohesive set of pearl jewelry. Perhaps you may not be able to remember all of the terminology, but knowing the significance of a pearls grade will ensure you will be able to select a quality piece of jewelry that is worth the asking price. Now you hopefully will be able to go into a jewelry shop, online or off, and will have a clear advantage to make a smart purchasing decision. Couple this information with knowing the different types of pearls available and you will be all set!

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/jewelry-articles/7-pearl-jewelry-terms-you-must-know-494041.html

About the Author:
Pearl Classic is an online retailer of authentic pearl jewelry, including necklaces, earrings, pendants and bracelets. Their website showcases a collection of Akoya, Tahitian, South Sea and Freshwater pearls. For more information, please visit http://www.pearlclassic.com.
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Fashion After 40

With so many designers and trends targeting the svelte body of the twenty-something, is it possible to look fashionable as the years pass and your body begins to tell the tale?

Author: Adam Khan


With so many designers and trends targeting the svelte body of the twenty-something, is it possible to look fashionable as the years pass and your body begins to tell the tale? Absolutely! In fact, with a little ingenuity and sleight-of-hand, it's easy to be fashionable and stylish regardless of how many candles are on your birthday cake. Now let's be frank: unless you work out religiously, you probably don't have the same body at 40, 50, or 60 that you had at 25. Time, gravity, and pregnancy all take their toll on the female body, as does menopause. And when you mix a mature body with fashions obviously made for a younger person, it can lead to self-doubt, frustration, and confusion. But it doesn't have to be that way. Getting older also means getting wiser, and like a fine bottle of wine, you're improving with age. So you don't have the same body as those twenty-somethings you see in magazines or on TV. So what? Would you REALLY trade everything you've learned since your twenties for the body you had back then? Probably no sooner than you'd like to re-live puberty, thank you very much. So how can you be fashionable without wearing all those body-conscious clothes so en vogue these days? By remembering the “3 C's” when you dress: clean, classic, and coverage. CLEAN Clean lines create a clean silhouette which makes the body appear more youthful by skimming the trouble spots instead of calling attention to them. Complicated cuts, seams, and details usually call for a killer body to pull off, so if you haven't got it, steer clear of those styles. CLASSIC Classic styles are called classic because they remain in style year after year. Why? Because they look good on so many bodies! Sheathes, A-line skirts, flat front pants — all tend to flatter a variety of shapes. What's more, because they remain in style year after year, classics are easier on the budget than trends. COVERAGE Covering appropriately is the key to aging gracefully. If your upper arms, thighs, and décolletage have all seen better days, it's time to cover them up a bit instead of sharing the wear-and-tear with the world. Now I'm not talking about draping yourself in a tent for the rest of your life. Far from it. I'm talking about wearing short sleeves instead of going sleeveless, Capris instead of shorts, and modest necklines instead of plunging necklines. Now I know that covering up the parts that used to turn heads and draw envy can be tough to take for some women. Which is precisely why beautiful jewelry and fine fabrics are the revenge tools of choice for many well-dressed mature women. So your bustline isn't as perky as your twenty-something daughter or granddaughter. So what? Add a beautiful necklace and draw envious glances from women of all ages. Don't have the same backside you did as a teen? Encase it in a fine fabric and see how many men go out of their way to hold the door open for you. People will look where you focus their attention, so use that knowledge to redirect their interest to the parts you want them to see. Or, as actress Cybil Shepard once said, “I like to flaunt what I have left.” Don't flip through fashion magazines and bemoan the fact that you don't look like the models. Instead, look at the various fashion elements to determine what will and what won't work for you. Are printed scarves all the rage this year? Grab a few and be trendy. Are mini skirts the style of choice? Pass and bank your money. See how easy this is? “A woman has the age she deserves,” Coco Chanel once said. You don't have to go under cover and dress “like a little old lady” just because that's what your mother or grandmother did. You're your own person. If you remember to dress in clean lines and classic styles and cover appropriately, you can still be fashionable — AND draw long, lingering glances from handsome men — whatever your age. And if THAT doesn't make you feel like a blushing girl again, then honey, nothing I can say will!

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/fashion-articles/fashion-after-40-943739.html

About the Author:
Adam Khan Buy Quality Exercise Bikes , Treadmills and Table Tennis Tables at Argos Sports & Fitness Equipment

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Ten Ways to Save Money On Girls Fashion

Girls who do not have tons of money lying around, but want in on the hottest outfits and fashion trends can still do so even on a budget. There are plenty of items out there that look chic and stylish, and yet are easy on the purse strings. All it takes to land decent deals on cool clothes and accessories are heeding good advice and doing some really smart shopping.

Author: Joe Deacon

Girls who do not have tons of money lying around, but want in on the hottest outfits and fashion trends can still do so even on a budget. There are plenty of items out there that look chic and stylish, and yet are easy on the purse strings. All it takes to land decent deals on cool clothes and accessories are heeding good advice and doing some really smart shopping. Yes, it is possible to get celebrity fashion looks for way under $100. Face it. Regular “Janes” seldom afford designer duds Hollywood celebs are wearing. As a result, people look for other means to fulfill their fashion hankerings. Some recreate the outfits of celebrities, pulling apart each piece and replacing them with less expensive but pricey-looking materials. Others do something else. The bottom line is: there are ways to get stylish without burning a huge hole in the pocket. Here are tips to get you out of a fashion slump and be one step closer to looking ultra-chic – the affordable way. • It sucks to find out your latest fashion splurge went up for sale a week after buying it. Before forking over a credit card, inquire whether the object of the fashion desire will be on sale sometime in the very near future. The salesperson might let you in on an upcoming sale, or even better, ring the item up at sale price on the spot. • Another great way to snag the best deals is to stock up on seasonal apparel just when the season is about to end. Comb through the sale racks for sweaters in May, bikinis in August, and short-sleeved shirts in November. • Avoid gift cards going to waste. They can still be good for swapping with others’ unwanted cards on various card websites. • Thrift shops, like high-priced boutiques, can prove equally expensive. However, friends’ wardrobes and closets are usually free. Arrange clothing swaps with the chicest of your chums. For varying shoe sizes or different dresses, consider accessories exchanges – costume jewelry, headbands, scarves and bags. • Get good selections by hitting stores on weekdays. Best odds of getting lucky are Thursdays, as these are when weekend sales pop up. Shoppers benefit from the price cuts while still having a wide selection to browse. The worst time to go is later in the weekends as stuff will have been picked over by the early birds. • After items stay in stores for months, retailers begin dropping their price to get rid of them. For those with enough self-control: wait out grabbing the merchandise for six to eight weeks after they hit the storefronts. • Benefit from half-off, buy-one-take-one and other such discounts - NOT by acquiring everything you are able to carry, but by bringing fashion-forward friends along. The two of you crave a new pair of pants? Hit the store together and get in on the special deals. • Consider shopping online using online coupons. These coupons are similar to vouchers people clip in newspapers and magazines, providing deals, promotional bundles and discounts. They are found online with codes people can copy, download and print prior to shopping. Some of them even don’t require any downloading, simply enter the provided code and start enjoying the savings. Sites compile them from different sources and make them available for free to Internet shoppers. Some coupons give percentage discount, offer free shipping (no territorial limits or boundaries for selling online), and/or freebies. • Everybody has that one place that messes up her shopping sense and judgment. Compel yourself to remain within a specified budget and guard against impulsive spending. Load gift cards only with amounts you’re able to spend and leave plastic moneys at home. • Take good care of clothes. Hand-wash delicate lingerie, dry-clean those tagged “dry-clean”, and never let the bedroom floor serve as a second closet. Favorite items will last longer this way so there is no need to replace them a few months into using them. With a bit of time and some effort, consumers can save quite a bundle with their fashion shopping. Whether it is paying brick-and-mortar stores a personal visit or searching through cyber stores, there are some definite money savings to be had. Even if it is just a few dollars for each purchase, all these can add up to some very substantial savings in the end.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/fashion-articles/ten-ways-to-save-money-on-girls-fashion-914745.html

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