life in the facet lane Pearls not Just for Girls by Diana Jarrett GG RMV

DIANA JARRETT GG RMV

Seems like summer and pearls go together. And not just because pearls are June’s birthstone but that’s a pretty good place to start. Pearls have been the go-to jewelry choice of summer brides for eons.

When we think of pearls, our mind wafts to thoughts of water, naturally. Be it oceans, lagoons, or even freshwater lakes, all these environments might be home to the lowly bi-valve harboring a lustrous orb of beauty, the pearl.

At one time, all the world’s pearls were natural. Pearl divers trained themselves to hold their breath for long periods of time and dive deeply to the ocean floor in search of oysters containing a highly coveted pearl, called the “Queen of Gemstones.” But only 1 in every 10,000 such oyster retrievals resulted in a pearl. Today, most pearls sold worldwide are cultured pearls. This means an oyster was purposely implanted with microscopic foreign matter which induces the oyster to secret nacre around the object to soothe and protect its delicate tissue. Many things contribute to the pearl’s color. Clean water, perfect temperature, and proper nutrients all contribute to the health and even the color of a cultured pearl.

While these organic gemstones still resonate with traditional collectors around the world, they are not just for the ladies today. Creative designers have made pearl jewelry to be uni-sex or even specifically for the masculine client. These could be classic pearl cufflinks, but several innovative jewelry artists make men’s single pearl necklaces strung on leather straps for a casual vibe. You can also find men’s pearl bracelets that look both summery and beachy to boot. This year, why not explore new pearl jewelry in unexpected ways. You just may find your signature piece that will carry you all year through.

Jewelry: The Claw, Undrilled 15 mm Tahitian pistachio pearl captured in a 3 prong claw;
Credit Black Market Pearls

“Pearls don’t lie on the seashore, if you want one, you must dive for it.” Chinese Proverb

Contact Diana Jarrett at diana@dianajarrett.com  Read www.color-n-ice.com