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Armbruster Jewelers carries a variety of pearls including: Freshwater, Akoya, Cultured, Tahitian, South Sea, Golden South Sea, Add-A-Pearls, Off-The-Cuff, and fashion pearls.
The Akoya Cultured Pearl
The Japanese Akoya cultured pearl is the result
of the successful commercial cultivation process developed
by Mikimoto. Akoya pearls come from the salt waters of Japan
and China, grown in an oyster. This oyster produces round
white and cream colored pearls known for their high luster,
attributed to the cool ocean temperatures, and range from 4
to 9.5 millimeters; a most popular size being 6-7 millimeters.
While the main body color is white/cream, some pearls possess
overtones of silver, green and pink.
The Tahitian Cultured Pearl
Tahitian cultured pearls are produced in the
Pinctada margaritifera, commonly known as the "black lipped
oyster" grown in the warm waters of the South Pacific,
French Polynesia, the Cook Islands and Fiji. A Tahitian pearl
will typically range in size from 8 to 18 millimeters; the
most common being 9-10 millimeters.
Tahitian cultured pearls are categorized as South
Sea pearls and commonly referred to as the "Black Pearl".
The truly unique aspect of Tahitian pearls is their distinctive
color pallet; whether the dominate color is light/dark gray
to deep black, each pearl will exhibit varying hues of blue,
pistachio, purple, peacock and even cherry, often times with
a metallic or bronze appearance.
As with all other pearl varieties, the quality
and value of the Tahitian cultured pearl is determined by color,
shape, size, surface and luster.
The Freshwater Cultured Pearl
Freshwater cultured pearls are produced in mollusks
called mussels. Grown in temperate waters of freshwater ponds,
lakes and rivers, freshwater cultured pearls can be produced
in almost any mollusk
existing throughout the world, however, the majority of commercial
freshwater cultured pearls come from China. An average size
will range from 4-13 millimeters, and occasionally 14-15
millimeters.
Freshwater pearls are known for their diversity
of shape, color and affordability. Unusual shapes such as
button, coin, baroque, stick, drop, near round and oval coupled
with a pastel color pallet of pink, lavender, peach, cream
and white distinguish this variety. While many possess their
natural color, it is common to see vibrant deep shades which
have been color enhanced/dyed. The quality and value of the
freshwater cultured pearl is determined by color, shape, size,
surface and luster.
White and Golden South Sea Cultured Pearl
Born from the rarest and largest oysters in the
world, the giant silver lip, or gold lip Pintada maxima, are
found in the warm tropical South Seas region, which covers
North Australia, Indonesia, the Philippines, Myanmar and Thailand.
South Sea cultured pearls are prized for their large size,
generally 10-15 millimeters and occasionally 16-20 millimeters.
The "silver lip" shell produces naturally white,
white rose, silver or silver rose colored pearls and the "gold
lip" shell produces cream tones, golden white, gold, or champagne.
The quality and value of the South Sea pearl
is determined by value factors: color, shape, size, surface
and luster. Some of the South Sea pearls' most distinguishing
attributes are their exceptionally large size, rarity, very
thick nacre, luster and mesmerizing orient. Notably called "the
Queen of Pearls" and the "Pearl of Queens",
this rare gem's status is legendary.
Pictured: A selection of pearl
strands
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