South Sea Pearls

Australian South Sea Pearls

The Five Virtues of fine Pearls

For most of us buying anything rare or valuable can be daunting. Few of us are experts. We can feel out of our depth when obliged to take too much on trust. But buying South Sea Pearls is different. Of course there are qualities of South Sea Pearls that define their value. We call them Virtues. A knowledge of these will help the selection process, but with South Sea Pearls you can-indeed- must trust in your own senses and judgement. You're choosing something created by a living creature. Like us, every pearl is unique. Whether for yourself or for someone else it is a personal choice. An intuitive selection based on what is beautiful to the eye of the beholder.
You don't have to be an expert to see and feel the attraction of that special pearl. South Sea Pearls seem to have an inexplicable inner presence that glows, resonates- choosing you as much as you have chosen it. With South Sea Pearls all you have to trust is yourself.

1.Lustre

The paramount defining virtue of beauty and therefore value. How light reflects from the pearl's surface, but also how it seems to glow from within. Lustre ranges from the bright and sprightly to the warm and alluring; it's a virtue that combines the quantum nature of light and the subjective judgement of the beholder. It catches and complements the beauty, the moods and personality of the wearer. Like all virtues, the lustre of South Sea Pearls is natural. It should never be chemically modified or enhanced.

2. Size
Size matters. The larger the pearl the scarcer, and Australian South Sea Pearl are the largest in the world. Measured across the smallest diameter, sizes run from 8mm to an extremely rare 18mm. only South Sea's Mother or Pearl Shell can create quality Pearls of such size

3 Shape

Perfectly round pearls are the most scarce, and are valued accordingly. But there's more to pearls than just round ones, and more to nature than the sphere. Baroque pearls with their voluptuous line and shape, the contemporary impact of the Circle pearl and the rare sensuality of the semi-baroque bring to the South Sea Pearl range a world of exciting possibilities.
Pearl shapes are categorised as either 'classical' or 'baroque'.

4. Surface

The more flawless the pearl the higher the value. But pearls are created in the ocean by a wild oyster and nature and nature almost always leaves its mark. Even though most markings can be seen by the naked eye they are a part of the unique and individualizing elements of every pearl. One oyster in a million may produce a perfect, flawless pearl.

5. Colour

South Sea Pearls come in an array of natural colours. Like so much about pearls the choice of colour is a matter of personal preference. There is traditionally a strong demand for the classic silver-white, for the glow of a golden pearl and for the most coveted: the rare white rose famous for being found in the pristine waters of Australia's North West Coast. Popularity impacts on price even though colour is irrelevant to a pearls intrinsic value.

How to care for your Pearls
Wear
When you are going to wear your pearl jewelry, cosmetics should be applied before and not after the jewelry is put on. Do not wear pearls while carrying out heavy work. Take your pearl jewelry off when they might contact any possible acid or alkali substances including chlorine in swim pool, hair sprays, perfume, soap.
Some fabrics, like Shetland wool, are rough enough to scratch the pearls. Try to avoid wearing pearls with those fabrics.
Cleaning
After wearing, clean your pearls with a soft cloth that has been dampened in clean cool water (distilled water is suggested, for it doesn't contain too much mineral substances which can deposit on the surface of pearls and weaken the pearl luster). When not worn for extended periods, at regular intervals, the pearls should be wiped with a soft cloth dampened in clean cool water.
Do not use any brush or detergent excepting for pearls-cleaning use only to clean your pearl. Brush can scratch the pearl. Detergent may eat off the nacre of pearls.
Storing and Caring
Store your pearls in jewelry pouches, cloth bags or jewelry box. Keep them separated to avoid scratching. Pearls contain 2~4% combined water. Store them in a cool and a little bit humidity condition. Dessicant, heating source or sealed plastic bags which can make pearls dehydrated and gotten brittle will be not good for pearl storing.
The string or glue of pearl jewelry can get dirty or weak with time. Take your jewelry to jewelers for periodical restrung or fixed.
Fading and other color changing
The color of some pearls may fade or change when exposed to strong lights. Those treated pearls may fade or revert to their original color under strong light conditions with time. In these cases, your pearl jewelry should not be exposed to strong natural and artificial light or to strong display lighting for an extended period of time.