A newbie's pearl journey

[ofgemsandcoffee]

Hello, everyone!! I'm from the Philippines, and I'm a colored gemstone girl who recently got into pearls. I'm also on Instagram with the same handle if anyone has a gem/jewelry account on there and wants to chat. I've been lurking here for a while and wanted to share that I've learned a lot about pearls from all of you. I have a teeny, tiny collection of pearl jewelry now, so I thought it's time to join all the fun discussions here by creating an account.

I used to think pearls weren't for me but now I realize that I just didn't know that much about them! There are so many different types of pearls that come in various designs, so I'm sure there's something for every jewelry lover. They're also versatile and can be worn with casual wear or business attire.

My pearl journey started when I was looking for a gift for my mom and found a multicolor freshwater pearl strand for her. I thought I might as well get a classic white freshwater pearl strand for myself since they can elevate an outfit and look so good in meetings, even if I'm just wearing a simple shirt or top. I thought it was going to be a one time purchase but down the rabbit hole I went.

The silver bow clasp eventually broke so I had this strand restrung with an adjustable clasp so I can layer it with other necklaces.

Anyone else here made a pearl purchase and thought they'd be done with just one piece?

 

[ofgemsandcoffee]

My second pearl purchase started with what the seller called cobalt blue akoyas in bracelet form, but I asked if she could restring it and make it into a multicolor strand and she very kindly said yes. So the cobalt blue akoyas were mixed with white, bluish gray and lilac pearls to create a necklace.

I believe cobalt blue akoyas are dyed to achieve that sort of navy blue color, and I think they're really pretty but that's probably because blue is my favorite color.

Also just wanted to share that it was in this forum that I learned to take photos of pearls against a white background!

 

[ofgemsandcoffee]

Continuing with my love of blue pearls, my next purchase were described by the seller as blue rose akoyas. I got a necklace strand and 6mm pearl stud earrings. They're both called blue rose but actually have different colors, I think the strand is more of a purplish blue while the studs are bluish gray.

Proving that blue really is my favorite color, I grabbed these blue keshi freshwater strand when I saw that it was available. I think this strand is the blue-est out of all the pearls in my collection so far. and I also love keshis because they have so much character. I'd love to own keshi studs and a pendant someday.

 

[ofgemsandcoffee]

Last but certainly not the least because they're the most expensive pearls I've bought so far: 10mm Tahitian pearl stud earrings and a matching pendant set in 18k yellow gold. All my pearl strands only have silver clasps so I feel like I'm leveling up! These Tahitians were described by the seller as having a peacock green color with aubergine overtones.

I struggled to take photos that capture the color of these, and found tips in this forum to take photos in diffused lighting and also to cover the pearls with white tissue paper for an all white surround.

That's my collection so far.️ Next on my wish list are 10mm Tahitians in a different color that I'm hoping I could wear with my current Tahitians as a mismatched set. I think silver would look great with them, but also open to hearing suggestions from all the pearl experts here. Let me know what you think!

 

[Pella]

Welcome. You have a lovely collection. There is a huge amount to learn about pearls from this site from people from all walks of life willing to share their knowledge.

 

[Merrily]

You did the layered look really well!

 

[jshepherd]

I believe cobalt blue akoyas are dyed to achieve that sort of navy blue color, and I think they're really pretty but that's probably because blue is my favorite color.

The term cobalt comes from a treatment with cobalt-60 radiation. The nucleus of the pearl is made of freshwater mussel shell and freshwater shell contains manganese, which reacts with cobalt-60 radiation (saltwater shell has no manganese). The reaction causes the nucleus to turn dark, and this in turns causes the pearl to appear blue. So blue akoya, if not natural, is either from cobalt treatment or blue dye.

 

[ofgemsandcoffee]

Welcome. You have a lovely collection. There is a huge amount to learn about pearls from this site from people from all walks of life willing to share their knowledge.

Thank you for the warm welcome, @Pella I love my little collection and get a lot of wear out of them. And yes, I'm learning so much from all the knowledge being shared here!

 

[ofgemsandcoffee]

You did the layered look really well!

Thank you, @Merrily! I love layering my pearl necklaces, I've requested that all of them have adjustable clasps so I can adjust the length to mix and match ️

 

[ofgemsandcoffee]

The term cobalt comes from a treatment with cobalt-60 radiation. The nucleus of the pearl is made of freshwater mussel shell and freshwater shell contains manganese, which reacts with cobalt-60 radiation (saltwater shell has no manganese). The reaction causes the nucleus to turn dark, and this in turns causes the pearl to appear blue. So blue akoya, if not natural, is either from cobalt treatment or blue dye.

Ooh thank you for sharing this info, @jshepherd! Always learning something new in this site. I wanted to ask if color treatment in pearls is considered a good or a bad thing? Just curious because in sapphires, heat treatment is widely accepted to improve both color and clarity. It should just be disclosed by the gem seller or jeweler because unheated sapphires are more ecpensive due to rarity.

 

[A Breaker]

I love, love those Blue Keshi!!!! Those are super special! Yes..one strand is Not enough!!! So many to enjoy!

I am guessing that natural colors would usually be more expensive, but it would also depend on Saltwater vs Freshwater. Freshwater tend to be color treated a lot. I think color treating freshwater pearls seams to be great in some cases, terrible in others and all the variations in between. Pearls can be color matched to an outfit or trend or wedding or even sports team... that is great! Pearls can be color treated to to sell Chinese freshwater as "Tahitians" especially on eBay in the USA.....that is terrible! I just got rid of some really Navy blue freshwater Circle pearls that I just hated...such a weird blue...but someone else is loving them! I have some other color treated freshwaters in alternating dark blue, aqua, & light blue on a strand that I can't decide if I love or hate...so I am keeping them until I decide....that was following a trend.

Some have to be treated to get the "look." I have earrings that are cobalt blue akoyas...very round & very dark...I doubt you could get that look any other way.

I also have Not seen any freshwaters looking the lovely greys of Tahitian with variations in them... the grey freshwaters, while pretty...don't have Saltwater depths of color and tend to have a matte quality. Different!

I have some color enhanced blue baroque akoyas...they did a great job and look so uniform. I normally like variations...but it is nice to 1 strand that has super luster...but uniform color....these were vintage from the 50's or 60's.

 

[JMichaels]

Ooh thank you for sharing this info, @jshepherd! Always learning something new in this site. I wanted to ask if color treatment in pearls is considered a good or a bad thing? Just curious because in sapphires, heat treatment is widely accepted to improve both color and clarity. It should just be disclosed by the gem seller or jeweler because unheated sapphires are more ecpensive due to rarity.

Some people really really care, and others don’t.

In akoyas and Chinese freshwater pearls, color treatments are considered standard and a reputable dealer will differentiate if something is natural.

In Tahitian and South Seas, natural colors are the standard, and a reputable dealer should disclose if treatments are done.

 

[A Breaker]

Some people really really care, and others don’t.

In akoyas and Chinese freshwater pearls, color treatments are considered standard and a reputable dealer will differentiate if something is natural.

In Tahitian and South Seas, natural colors are the standard, and a reputable dealer should disclose if treatments are done.

Well said!!! That is super helpful!

 

[ofgemsandcoffee]

I love, love those Blue Keshi!!!! Those are super special! Yes..one strand is Not enough!!! So many to enjoy!

I am guessing that natural colors would usually be more expensive, but it would also depend on Saltwater vs Freshwater. Freshwater tend to be color treated a lot. I think color treating freshwater pearls seams to be great in some cases, terrible in others and all the variations in between. Pearls can be color matched to an outfit or trend or wedding or even sports team... that is great! Pearls can be color treated to to sell Chinese freshwater as "Tahitians" especially on eBay in the USA.....that is terrible! I just got rid of some really Navy blue freshwater Circle pearls that I just hated...such a weird blue...but someone else is loving them! I have some other color treated freshwaters in alternating dark blue, aqua, & light blue on a strand that I can't decide if I love or hate...so I am keeping them until I decide....that was following a trend.

Some have to be treated to get the "look." I have earrings that are cobalt blue akoyas...very round & very dark...I doubt you could get that look any other way.

I also have Not seen any freshwaters looking the lovely greys of Tahitian with variations in them... the grey freshwaters, while pretty...don't have Saltwater depths of color and tend to have a matte quality. Different!

I have some color enhanced blue baroque akoyas...they did a great job and look so uniform. I normally like variations...but it is nice to 1 strand that has super luster...but uniform color....these were vintage from the 50's or 60's.

Love my blue keshis too, @A Breaker!! And thank you for the thoughtful comment. you make some very good points about color treatments, I guess it really depends from one person to another whether a certain type of pearl will work! As long as buyers are not being deceived by sellers, what you shared about some of those eBay sellers is terrible. I'm glad I've never been tempted to buy on eBay.

Also agree with you that gray freshwaters don't have the depth of color and complexity in tones that Tahitians have. I used to worry that Tahitians might be too dark for me but now I'm loving their overtones, and how they look different depending on their surroundings and lighting conditions.

 

[ofgemsandcoffee]

Some people really really care, and others don’t.

In akoyas and Chinese freshwater pearls, color treatments are considered standard and a reputable dealer will differentiate if something is natural.

In Tahitian and South Seas, natural colors are the standard, and a reputable dealer should disclose if treatments are done.

What a great summary, and as always, good information to have! Thank you for sharing ️

 

[BWeaves]

Lovely collection! I'm a sucker for blues and I don't care if the color is natural if I like it and it's permanent.