Cultured Freshwater Pearls

Pearls are produced naturally in the body of salt and freshwater mollusks, such as oysters and mussels. These animals produce a soft coating of calcium carbonate substance (i.e. pearl) around an irritant. It takes months of intensive husbandry to cultivate a freshwater pearl. Pearls can be mostly round to off-round, or rice-shaped to baroque. Each of them might be slightly less symmetrical, smaller, or not as easily matched, but these minor differences provide a major value for the price. Today China is the only commercial producer of freshwater pearls. The pearls we selected were produced by triangle shell mussel (Hyriopsis cumingii) to accept only 12-16 grafts per valve for a total production of 24 to 32 pearls for better quality.

Pearl Colors & Lustre

The natural color of pearls results from a combination of several factors.

Mollusks produce pearls in a variety of colors and the main color is known as bodycolor which can be white, silver, cream-colored, pink, gold, green, blue, or even black. The bodycolor is determined by the type of oyster or mollusk that produces the pearl as well as the conditions of the water, and also the nucleus which is implanted to stimulate the pearl's creation. Apart from the main color, an overtone of secondary color is sometimes seen. For instance, a pearl may appear to be white, but upon closer inspection a rosy hue is detected. Color variation does not affect the quality of the pearl. We carefully select pearls for each piece of Optimus Beauty Jewelries as color matching is very important when choosing pearls for necklaces, earrings, or bracelets.

The appealing, deep shine of a pearl is often what defines its beauty and value. This shine is produced by multiple layers of semi-opaque calcium carbonate crystals, called nacre. The nacre reflects light on the surface of the pearl resulting brilliance and sheen. Large pearls have thicker nacres i.e. higher lustre.

Pearl Shape & Size

Freshwater Pearls can be round, oval to slightly off-round. We carefully look for consistency in the shapes of the pearls for our Jewelries. However, many of the less symmetrical shapes are used in stylish jewelry which can also be just perfect for the particular product.

Naturally pearls do come in a wide range of sizes while the different size of pearls size does not necessarily affect its quality, but it does affect the price. Large, round pearls are rare and their lustre is usually high and generally more expensive.

Surface Markings of Pearls

Like Diamonds, no pearl can be naturally produced flawlessly. The imperfections can be small and unnoticeable or quite large and distinct. However, high lustre or the way pearls are strung and set can help conceal surface markings. Pearl Care The best way to maintain Pearl¡¯s lustre is to wear the pearls often as they can absorb the oils from skin, and wipe them down with a soft cloth afterward. Remember that Pearls are organic and produced by a living thing therefore they should not come in contact with cosmetics, hairspray, perfume, chlorinated water, or other harsh chemicals. To keep them clean, let them be the last item put on when dressing, and the first item taken off at the end of an evening. Pearls should be stored in a cloth pouch or jewelry bag to separate them from other jewelry.

Gemstones & Quartz

Amethyst
 
Amethyst is a violet variety of quartz; the ancient Greeks and Romans wore amethyst and made drinking vessels of it in the belief that it would prevent intoxication. It is one of several forms of quartz. Amethyst is the traditional birthstone for February.

Citrine

There are not many yellow gemstones in the world of jewels. Citrine is a variety of quartz whose color ranges from a lemon yellow to reddish brown. The name is derived from Latin citrina which means "yellow". Citrine is the stone for the month of November.

Garnet

Wonderful deep-red garnets often find in antique jewelries. However, far too few people are aware that the world of the garnets is far more colorful than that. Garnet species are found in many colors including red, orange, yellow, green, blue, purple, brown, black, pink and colorless. In daylight, some Garnet color ranges from shades of green, beige, brown, gray, and blue, but in incandescent light, they appear a reddish or purplish/pink color.

Peridot

Peridot is a very old gemstone, and one which has become very popular again today, one of the few gemstones that occur in only one color, an olive green. In fact, color of individual peridot gems can vary from yellow- to olive- to brownish-green. The most valued color is a dark olive-green.
 
Peridot olivine is the birthstone for the month of August.

Topaz

Typical topaz is wine, yellow, yellow-brown, reddish-orange, honey-yellow, flax, brown, green, blue, light blue, blue brown, pale green, pale gray, red, gold and pink ... and sometimes it has no color at all. These so-called apocalyptic stones are intended to serve in protection against enemies and as a symbol of beauty and splendor. Topaz means "heat" or "fire". The Romans dedicated the topaz to Jupiter.

Topaz is the stone of the month November.

Gemstones Care
Gemstones are very durable and easy to take care:

- Keep your gemstones clean. You can simply soak them in water with a touch of gentle soap. If necessary, use a soft toothbrush to scrub behind the stone (e.g. on a ring). Single-crystal gems can be cleaned with a touch of ammonia in water to remove all films and add extra sparkle.
-Almost every gemstone is harder than the metal set on. Store each piece of gemstone jewelry separately so that harder stones don't scratch softer ones and your gold, silver or platinum jewelries.