™ There are three main types of cultured saltwater pearls: akoya, Tahitian, and South Sea. Pearls can be cultured in fresh water as well. Each type has distinct characteristics, and each is very beautiful in its own way. Like with most things, individual tastes determine pearl preferences. Or you may have a taste for every pearl variety! The following is a look at the main types of cultured pearls. Akoya Cultured Pearls Timeless and popular, the akoya cultured pearl 우리카지노 probably comes to mind when you think of pearls. (Because akoyas are easier to match than other pearls, they are a popular choice for bracelets and necklaces.) These saltwater beauties are typically small (they range between 2mm and 11mm; average is 6mm-7mm), and are most commonly white or cream-colored. Akoyas are produced in the akoya oyster, or P. fucata, the smallest of the saltwater pearl oysters. The main animals used for saltwater pearl culturing in Japan, these small oysters typically reach only 8cm to 13cm in diameter, but they can accept multiple nucleationsup to five at a time. (If a larger pearl is desired, however, only one bead is inserted.) Akoya pearls were the first round cultured pearlscalled spherical in the jewelry tradethat were produced. Approximately 70%-80% of a given akoya crop is spherical. Typically white or cream with ros or green overtones, akoyas typically grow from eight months to two years before theyre harvested. A jewelry staple, the simple and classic white akoya strand is a popular choice for brides. Tahitian Cultured Pearls If you think of black pearls, you probably picture a peacock-blue-sheened Tahitian. This is a desirable hue for a Tahitian cultured pearl, but they can also be black, gray or brown with hues of blue, green, and purple and overtones of ros, green or blue. Marketed just since the 1970s, Tahitians are revered for their exotic colors and large sizes, and, as you may have noticed, their large price tag reflects their relative rarity. Tahitian pearls are produced mainly in French Polynesia in the so-called black-lipped oyster, P. margaritifera, a large saltwater mollusk that can grow up to 12 inches in diameter, weigh up to 11 lbs. and live up to 30 years. These oysters produce pearls that reach 8mm-14mm in size in a growth period that takes about two years. Tahitian cultured pearls typically show fair to excellent luster, and achieve this by natural means, unlike akoyas and freshwater cultured pearls, which require treatmentusually bleachingto bring out their sheen. When Tahitians are harvested, farmers wash them in fresh water, dry them and lightly buff them, usually by tumbling the gems with ground salt and bamboo chips. P margaritifera can be nucleated, or implanted, several times over its lifetime, but in general, the first harvest produces the finest quality pearl. Unlike its smaller cousin, the akoya, Tahitian cultured pearls are spherical less than half the time. For this reason, it may take years to find just the right pearls to match for a necklace. This is one of the reasons why a matched strand of Tahitian cultured pearls is so costly. Because they can often come in unique shapes, however, Tahitians are used by many jewelry designers in pieces that feature a single pearl. These pieces are uniquely beautiful and can be as breathtaking as a costly Tahitian strand. South Sea Cultured Pearls P. maxima, one of the worlds largest mollusks, produces the magnificent South Sea cultured pearl, generally the largest cultured pearl on the market. As its name implies, the South Sea cultured pearl is produced in Australia, Indonesia and the Phillipines. (The cultured pearl is the national gem of the Phillipines.) Most South Sea pearls are silver, white, or a gorgeous and coveted golden color. Farmers do not treat these pearls after harvest, although some wholesale buyers do so after export. Unlike a freshwater pearl mollusk, P. maxima can accept only one nucleation at a time; however the oyster can be nucleated up to three times in its lifetime. After nucleation, the South Sea cultured pearl requires 20-24 months to grow, and typically produces a pearl around 13mm, although some reach 15mm or larger. Between 10%-30% of any given crop contains spherical pearls. Australia produces about 60 percent of the supply of South Sea cultured pearls, although Indonesian farmers produce more of the golden variety than Australian farmers do. Freshwater Cultured Pearls Unlike their saltwater cousins, freshwater pearls are produced in mollusks rather than oysters, and, like their name implies, are grown in ponds, lakes and rivers rather than in the ocean. Most of todays freshwater cultured pearls are produced in China, and, thanks to improvements in culturing techniques, the round, high-luster gems of today are a vast improvement over the inexpensive, squishy rice-krispie-shaped gems typical of the freshwater crop of yesteryear. Indeed many experts maintain that todays freshwater cultured pearls rival the beauty of saltwater cultured pearlsa far cry from the freshwater pearls humble reputation from the not-so-distant past. Freshwater cultured pearls are produced in mussels belonging to the family Unionidae. Most are grown in China, yet the United Sates produces its fair share. In fact, the mother-of-pearl beads used to induce the pearl growing process worldwide are made from ground American mussel shells. Many freshwater pearls are nucleated, or implanted, with mantle tissue only, which is taken from a donor mussel. Because they do not contain a starter bead, tissue-nucleated freshwater pearls are 100% nacre. This gives them a beautiful luster and a durable surface that wont flake or peel to reveal the inner bead. By contrast, pearls that are bead-nucleated and prematurely harvested often have only a thin coating of nacre that is prone to flaking and chipping. Unfortunately, pearls cannot be polished back to perfection once theyre destroyed. Freshwater pearl-producing mussels can accept up to 50 implants at a time. They typically require 2-6 years to grow, and the finished pearl typically ranges in size from 4mm to 11mm. Larger freshwater pearls do exist, although their bigger size will likely be reflected in a bigger price tag. Approximately 60% of a typical freshwater pearl crop is made up of button pearls (flat on one side) or oval pearls. Only about 2% of the harvest is round, according to the latest information from the Gemological Institute of America. Baroque (no symmetry) and semi-baroque pearls typically make up the remainder of the crop. As with Tahitians and other pearl types, in a skilled designers hands, these unique pearls can be turned into extremely beautiful jewelry. When it comes to color, the freshwater cultured pearl offers a wonderful variety. Pastels like cream, white, yellow, orange, and pink are common; as well, universally flattering lavender pearls are enjoying a surge in popularity today. When deciding which color freshwater pearls to buy, keep in mind that the wearers skin tone should be the most important consideration. Choose a color that will flatter and not detract. Overall, freshwater pearls are more plentiful than other pearl types, thus they are usually more affordable. Your budget may allow you to choose a few different colors! Conclusion Whatever your taste or budget, there is sure to be cultured pearl jewelry that will thrill you. Choose carefully, treat them with care, and your pearls will give you a lifetime of pleasure, no matter which variety you choose.
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™ Do you have a collection of watches? Or do you at least own a watch? Is it real? Is it genuine? Or is it a replica? Having a watch and wearing it around our wrist makes us time conscious. And it is not a bad habit or bad connotation. In fact, I consider it as a positive character because it will lessen our tardiness when it comes to work, school, or meetings. What things do you consider when buying a watch? Does it have to be big? Does it have to be small? Does it have to be Rolex? Or any watch will do as long as it tells you the correct time? Owning a factual watch would cost us a lot of money but buying a fabricated watch will not stay long on your ownership. So, what watch does an individual really need? You need to consider many things. Though its just a watch, you might want to own something that is good, useful, and affordable. A material that is expensive is not always beneficial and not all low-priced things are useless. Sometimes, you just need to be meticulous to possess the things that you really want and you really need. Now lets see the most common factors that you need to consider in selecting a watch: 1.Time or When to purchase a watch. If youre not in a hurry to buy a watch, then take some time first to read articles, scan magazines, visit sites that deals with watch, etc. so you can have a wide variety of watches to choose from. This will give you an idea of how much money you will be spending, plus you dont need to spend a lot of time in the mall trying to figure out what watch will best suit your needs. 우리카지노 But if you really need the watch already, then at least bring with you at least two friends so you could ask for their comments and suggestions regarding watches. 2.Money. Save or set apart your budget (if you have one) so you will not be able to spend it on other things. Some people (including me) tend to spend my budget for other things, which I really do not need. Doing this, will not let you spend too much money for a watch. 3.Brand. Some of you may have your eyebrows raise and ask What the heck? This is true. You might want to consider also he brand of what that you will be buying. Is it already tested? Is it known for durable products? You have to know these things if you want to own a watch that will last long. 4.Where to buy. If youre buying from the watch store itself (e.g. Rolex store) then I guess you can omit this on your list. But if you will be buying from malls or department stores, then you need to consider this factor. This is important for if in case the watch that you bought is damage, you can easily go to the store where you bought it and ask for a replacement. Just be sure that you have the receipt with you for they will not entertain you if you dont have any proof of purchase. 5.How the watch looks like if youre wearing it. If youre already on the store to buy your watch, you might want to consider fitting it before buying it. Does it look good on you? Does it suit all your clothes? Im sorry to disappoint you but not all watches can be appropriate with different kinds of dresses. Be sure that it looks good on you and you feel comfortable wearing it. There are so many things that you still need to consider in selecting your watch. But at least you have an idea as to how to select the appropriate watch for you. I hope this helps you even just a bit. ™ Most little girls grow up dreaming of the moment that their knight in shining armor gets down on one knee and proposes. It is a romantic gesture that is topped off with the perfect accessory, the engagement ring. Most little girls dream of that perfect diamond atop their ring finger, gleaming and bright. The engagement ring has a very old and interesting history that began thousands of years ago. The traditional diamond engagement ring that we know of today is actually a fairly recent custom. In most traditions in the Western world, an engagement ring is worn by a woman on the third (ring) finger of her left hand, signifying that she is engaged to be married. The ring is usually presented by a man upon a proposal of marriage, and worn by the woman after she accepts his proposal. It signifies the agreement to marry, and is usually worn along with the wedding band (on the same finger) for the duration of the woman’s life or the marriage, whichever ends first. The tradition of the engagement ring can be traced back as far 코인카지노 as Ancient Egypt, Greece, and Rome. The Ancient Romans held the belief that the Vena Amoris (Latin for “vein of love”) was located in the ring finger of the left hand. It was believed that this vein ran directly from the finger to the heart. The circle of the engagement ring was also believed to represent the eternal bond of love, a romantic notion that is still largely believed even today. The design and material of the engagement ring has changed quite a bit through the years. While in ancient times an engagement band was fashioned out of hemp, rope, or even lead (in Ancient Rome) and usually did not contain gemstones, today we traditionally see engagement rings fashioned out of precious metals such as platinum or gold, holding a single set stone, which is most commonly a diamond. The diamond engagement ring seems to be the most common and accepted piece of its type due to its permanence, beauty, and expense. It is a reflection of the love felt between two people. That is probably why it is expected that a man plunk down tons of money for an engagement ring. The cost of the ring is ultimately up to the individual, and how much he wants (or can afford) to spend. Some guidelines assert that 2-3 months salary should be shelled out for the ring. That amount of money can purchase quite a diamond engagement ring! Diamond engagement rings most commonly come with solitaire settings, and come in a variety of diamond shapes, such as pear, round, princess, heart, marquis, and square. Each shape showcases the brilliance of a diamond in a different way, and adds to the individuality of the piece. More often, you will find that diamond engagement rings are set with more than one stone, and even side stones. This can mean more smaller diamonds, or more large diamonds, depending on the whim (and the credit line) of the man doing the buying! It is however, becoming more and more common to see engagement rings that either contain another type of gemstone besides a diamond, or contain other colored gemstones with a diamond. You often see solitaire set emeralds, rubies, or sapphires, or any of these stones set with smaller surrounding diamonds. This represents the taste and individuality of the woman who wears the ring, and often makes for a quite unique and beautiful ring to wear. The diamond engagement ring (or an engagement ring containing other precious gems) is a representation of a promise of eternal love and devotion. The possibilities in rings are endless, and should be chosen with care to reflect the woman’s taste, style, and personality. After all, she will be wearing the ring for a very long time to come. ™ Jewelry insurance comes in many forms and varieties and only an insurance agent can provide accurate and specific advice. However, it helps to know enough about jewelry insurance to ask your agent the right questions and to be aware of how the process works. The time to ask your insurance agent the questions is before you insure an item, not when you need to file a claim. Read the fine print in your insurance contract to be sure it provides the coverage you expect. Understanding jewelry insurance begins with recognizing the difference between scheduled and unscheduled property. Unscheduled property (jewelry not specifically listed) is typically included in basic homeowner or renters policies under blanket coverage. There is a usually a deductible (typically $500) and a maximum amount of coverage (typically $1500) although these amounts can vary with the specific policy. This type of coverage does not require an appraisal but sales receipts, written descriptions or photos are beneficial in proving the items existed and estimating their replacement value. Scheduled property (jewelry specifically listed) is included in a floater, rider or endorsement to homeowner or renters policies. Jewelry insurance is also available with a 우리카지노 separate policy, from a company specializing in jewelry insurance. For scheduled property, the insurance appraisal is vital because it describes the jewelry item and provides the insured value that is used in determining the premium you will pay to insure the item each year. Most scheduled property policies do not have an automatic appreciation adjustment as is common for the house and other unscheduled property. Therefore, even if it might cost 50% more to replace an item in five years, the insured value is still only that stated in the appraisal. If you file an insurance claim, the settlement process and amount paid will depend on the policy and in particular, if the policy allows replacement or agreed value settlement. For agreed value policies, the settlement amount is stated in the policy whereas replacement value allows the insurance company to replace your jewelry or make a cash settlement based on the insurance companys cost to replace your item. The insurance companys liability ceiling is set at the insured value on the appraisal. Do you have enough jewelry insurance? The answer depends on what kind of policy you have, the insured value is on the appraisal, the settlement procedure is for your particular policy, and the accuracy of the information on your appraisal. If you have a jewelry item valued at more than the $1500, you should definitely consider scheduled as opposed to unscheduled coverage. The critical issue for scheduled property coverage is the how accurate is the information on the appraisal. 1) If the information on the appraisal is vague and general, the insurance company can replace the item with an item that satisfies the description but perhaps is not the quality and true value of the lost item. Be sure your jewelry appraisal has a detailed and accurate description of the jewelry item. 2) If the appraisal value is artificially high, the insurance company can replace the item at their cost even though the client paid premiums for years on a value twice as much. This is often the case for purchases from a jewelry store with prices double other retailers and the store provides an insurance appraisal even higher than the purchase price. You do not need an appraised value more than 150% of the price you would pay at low priced online retailer. 3) If the appraisal value is too low, the insurance company can make cash settlement that might not cover the current replacement cost of the item. This could be the case for items purchased three or four years ago from a low price online retailer and the appraised value was at or below the purchase price. With diamond prices increasing about 10% a year recently, it does not take long for appraisal values to be out of date if too close to online retail purchase prices. Be sure to have your jewelry insurance appraisal updated every four or five years so you do not end up underinsured. ™ Luxury Watches: Horology is defined as the science of measuring time and the art of making instruments to measure time. So, makes perfect sense that people skilled in the practice or theory of horology are called horologists. Folk interested in owning the finest timepieces made are defined as our refined luxury-loving readers. Whether the love of great watches stems from the perspective of a collector or a lover of jewelry, there are various upscale sources from which to select. Many vaulted manufacturers of wristwatches are with histories preceding the 18th century. However, there are relatively new firms. But they too are steep with experience, as one does not ascend to being a master watchmaker overnight. There are various limited-edition wristwatches available meriting a look-see. Here is a dozen of the best we have encountered over the past year. As our list expands, we will update our findings and report those to you on a timely basis. The Presence of Richard Mille Richard Mille has wonderful gift solutions when the plan involves buying for two. For the couple inextricably linked, Richard Mille offers limited-edition wristwatches of extraordinary quality for both sexes that are appreciatively masculine and feminine, respectively. Let’s add a femme twist to chivalry and begin with the men’s item. Ebel Rings the Bell Most women don’t want to be associated in any way with a whale…unless they’re eating caviar or wearing an Ebel watch. The Beluga line represents, ironically, a graceful and uncompromising interpretation of seductive elegance. The Reign of Blancpain Marches On Blancpain has produced haute timepieces for men and women since 1735. Yearly the prominent Switzerland-based watch manufacturer puts up a one-off wristwatch for auction to benefit the Monaco Association of Muscular Dystrophy (Association Monegasque contre la Myopathie) during the Monaco Yacht Show. This year’s selected timepiece for the Only One auction was Le Brassus. Its suggested retail price is $135,000. The results of the auction have not yet been officially announced. Roger Dubuis, Indeed There is luxury and then there is luxury-luxury. Generally, when something comes our way that is viewed as an upper-echelon item, we report it to our luxury-loving readers and that’s that. Weekly we write about vehicles that cost up to and over $1 million and single-family residences costing over $100 million. So, sticker shock rarely affects anyone here. However, these wristwatches by Roger Dubuis, priced as high as $250,000, definitely piqued our attention. Our Boy, Maurice Lacroix You may think astrology is a bunch of nonsense or you may not leave the house until you’ve consulted with your personal astrologist. Either way, we predict that owning a Lune Retrograde watch by Maurice Lacroix is a great way to make the right impression. After all, the watch you wear is as telling as how much you leave for a tip. The Racy Parmigiani Fleurier’s Bugatti Type 370 Parmigiani Fleurier’s Bugatti Type 370 wristwatch draws from the automotive world for its innovative craftsmanship and intricate design. At first glance, it strongly resembles an engine block strapped onto a wrist. Albeit its unique look alone is quite captivating, it is what is under its hood that is setting off the alarms of haute horologists worldwide. Until now wristwatches were built on a vertical axis. This is the first wristwatch ever to be built on a horizontal axis. Its revolutionary transversal movement is set over five separate plates. Role of the Rolex Acceptation that Rolex is more than an elite maker of timepieces is commonplace. Its nomenclature is oft used as a synonym to describe excellence, brilliance, first-rate, superiority, distinction, or quality. Suffice it to say that most luxury, upscale horologists would welcome 우리카지노 comparisons. Rolex wears the diadem of the industry with panache and ornate gracefulness. The Majestic Carl F. Bucherer Recently, we touted Carl F. Bucherer’s single-copy Queen’s Watch as a splashy testimony to his firm’s exquisite craftsmanship and outrageously divine opulence. However, being the fair-minded purveyor of luxury living we are at Luxe, we deemed it appropriate to also bare Carl F. Bucherer’s masculine side with the Patravi collection. Because, after all, kings have needs too. And the Patravi Chronograph GMT series addresses those needs royally. The Watch Workshop of Speake-Marin Peter Speake-Marin, the founder of The Watch Workshop, is an extraordinary horologist who produces collectible, limited-edition Swiss-manufactured wristwatches that fit into the modern- and classical era of timepieces perfunctorily. Aside from the entire collection’s subtly classy appearance and meticulous tooling, there is a loftiness of elevated self-worth to its wearers that is as desirable as these watches are attainable. It is a limited feeling reserved only for collectors of Speake-Marin’s omnipotent jeweled masterpieces. Elegance for All by Zenith Swiss Watch Baby Star Open Love is the latest addition to the Star collection for the ladies. With its case reduced to 32mm, it is smaller than preceding Stars but equally eloquent displaying the new Elite 68 automatic movement. The boys get the Class collection to add to their assemblage of horologes. For the man in search of discreet luxury, its simple design coupled with unchallengeable precision makes this latest release an instant classic. Classic Gevril Perhaps Father Time’s real name is Jacques Gevril, the founder of the Gevril Swiss Timepiece Company. Mr. Gevril, a pioneer of Swiss horology, began his career in the mid-1700s. He is the inventor of the repetition dial and the first exporter of Swiss watches. In 1758 Mr. Gevril was commissioned to make a timepiece for the king of Spain. The king was so impressed byGevril’s craftsmanship that he appointed Jacques the watchmaker to the crown. Nearly 250 years later, the timepiece company earnestly retains its noble status under the watchful eye of owner Samuel Friedmann. Today Gevril watches remain a natural fit with society’s modern-day royalty, adorning the wrists of prominent personalities worldwide. |
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