Array of pearls on display

[Cyril Roger Brossard]

IF DIAMONDS are a girl's best friend then pearls must be her first love.

And it was love at first sight for many of the women on Saturday who were treated to an afternoon presentation on the exquisite jewels, sipping wine and sampling cinnamon tea cake at the tranquil Gecko Valley Winery.

The winery's jewellery designer Miranda Manifold displayed an assortment of pearls ranging in varieties and price - starting at $60 to a staggering $20,000.

The pearl array contained everything from Tahitian to south sea pearls, both loose and strung.

Attendees were also keen to see the Japanese blue mabe pearls which had been put into a safe and forgotten for about 30 years.

Link to the video.

Pearl facts

Pearls are iridescent and opaque
Graded by their lustre and amount of blemishes
Australian south sea pearls are considered the largest, rarest and most luminous
Fake pearls peel and are either too dull or too shiny
How to wear

Pearl studs upgrade a simple ensemble
Wear a strand of pearls with an LBD


Article by Emily Kemp June 2012 Oamaru Mail.

 

[pattye]

She had some nice pearls there, and gave correct info. Hope those wine sippers bought LOTS of pearls!