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life in the facet lane

Pearls not Just for Girls

eems like summer and pearls
go together. And not just
Sbecause 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
by Diana Jarrett GG RMV 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.
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 www.dianajarrett.com

24 Life in Naples | May, June, July 2022