Voted Norman’s Best Jewelry Store

Pearls

From the classic to the daring, pearls are always a wonderful choice and we have an enormous selection of pearl strands, bracelets, earrings and rings to choose from at Mitchell’s Jewelry. For a traditional feel, choose a gleaming white strand of pearls with a set of pearl earrings accented in diamonds. Or walk on the wild side with a Black Tahitian cultured pearl ring and earrings.

One of our favorite lines is from Mastoloni Pearls. Mastoloni Pearls can be worn anytime, anywhere and with everything. What’s hot right now? Mix different colors, lengths, shapes and sizes.  Come in and see how fabulous you look and feel draped in Mastoloni Pearls.

Knowledge

A cultured pearl is a pearl formed by an oyster, composed of concentric layer of a crystalline substance called nacre deposited around an irritant placed in the oyster’s body. Natural pearls are formed by deposits of nacre around an irritant that accidentally lodges within the body of an oyster.

The value of a pearl comes from the unique ability of the crystalline nacre to absorb, refract and reflect light, imparting a distinctive quality, termed orient, to natural and cultured pearls. Orient is the deep inner glow and shimmering iridescent characteristic of sea-grown pearls.

Size contributes to the price of a pearl. As it is more difficult for oysters to grow large pearls, they are scarcer. Two pearls of different sizes may be valued the same if the smaller pearl is superior in orient to the larger. Shape also determines value. A symmetrical pearl is more valuable. Examples of symmetrical shapes are round, pear, tear and oval. Baroque pearls are irregular and asymmetrical. Surface perfection contributes to value, too. The surface of a perfect pearl appears satiny smooth. But when viewed closely, natural or cultured pearls may appear to have irregular surfaces that do not detract from value, as do disfiguring blemishes. Rarity increases the value of any jewel and pearls are no exception. Cultured pearls themselves are relatively rare, as they can only be grown in limited areas of the world’s oceans and take years to grow. A perfect pair of pearls are very rare, because nature makes few pearls exactly alike in orient, size, shape and color.

Types of Pearls

Akoya pearls are the most familiar type of cultured pearl, grown in true pearl oysters off the coasts of Japan. Akoya pearls are known for their lovely orient and warm color. They rarely grow more than 9 mm in size.

South Sea pearls are large cultured pearls of 10 mm and larger and are grown in large oysters off the coasts of Australia. Usually silvery in appearance, and sometimes not as lustrous as fine Akoya pearls, South Sea pearls are rare and costly.

Burmese pearls are large cultured pearls of 10 mm and larger and are grown in large oysters off the coasts of Burma. Warmer in color tone than South Sea cultured pearls; Burmese pearls are rare and costly.

Mabe pearls are large hemispherical cultured pearls grown against the inside shells of oysters instead of within the body of the oyster. Less expensive than regular round cultured pearls and, because of their hemispherical shape, Mabe pearls are typically mounted as earrings, rings and brooches.

Biwa pears are fresh water pearls cultivated in a mollusk only in Japan’s Lake Biwa. Biwa pears are smoother and more lustrous than fresh water pearls from China.

Fresh Water pearls are cultivated in mollusks, not oysters, found in fresh water lakes and rivers. Fresh water pearls are generally elongated in shape and have a milky translucent appearance. Their wide range of interesting shapes and colors make up in fashion appeal for their relatively low value.

Keshi pearls are tiny pearls that form naturally in many cultured pearls oysters and are a little bigger than a grain of sand.

When choosing cultured pearls, look for luster and orient in the shadow area of the pearl, not in the area upon which the light is shining. Look for clear tones. Avoid dull or muddy color and cracks, chips or disfiguring blemishes. All pearls in a strand should blend well together, particularly in regard to luster, orient and color. Roll a strand of pearls along a flat surface to determine if all pearls are strung through their exact centers.

Care

Cultured pearl care is important so your pearls stay as lovely as the day you received them. Pearls can easily be scratched so take care that they are protected in your jewelry box by gently wrapping them in a chamois bag or tissue. Pearls should never come in contact with hair spray, cosmetics and perfume. Make sure your pearls are the last touch to your routine. Pearls cannot be cleaned with chemicals or abrasives so wash your pearls with mild soap and water after wear.

Let us check your pearls once per year to check for wear of the nylon threading. Restringing your pearls with a knot between each pearl every year or so ensures the safety of your pearls.