The Gem Gallery Blog

Can experts easily tell the difference between a cultured pearl and a natural pearl?

Without X-rays, it is nearly impossible to distinguish between cultured and naturally occurring pearls. When cultured pearls were first introduced to the marketplace in the early 1900s, dealers tried to discredit the gems as simulations. Kokichi Mikimoto, the first commercial producer of cultured pearls, fought through courts around the world to prove his pearls were genuine, differing only from natural pearls by the uniformity of the artificially inserted nucleus.

A simple way to determine the difference between a genuine pearl (cultured or natural) and a simulated pearl is to rub it against your teeth. A genuine pearl, though silky smooth to the touch, will have a distinctly gritty feel when rubbed against your teeth.

As most of us know adornment has been around since Neanderthal man. Bits of bone, rock, shell, even flowers and leaves made up accessories for both man and woman. Glass came into existence at a much later time. Some where around 2340-2180 B.C. These excavations took place in Mesopotamia, and in the Caucasus region, known today as Russia. A vast number of glass beads were found, artistically crafted and a number of manufacturing methods used.

It was Egypt, however that manufactured such an enormous variety of beads in so many different materials that virtually everyone wore them. They were used not only for jewelry but for adornment from sandals to aprons. Most of these beads and finery was made for funerals, however. Of course the most prized stones and jewelry were made for the wealthy.

Actually glass beads are known by the Seventh and Eighth Dynasties. The Egyptians were first to manufacture for large commercial market about 1400 B.C. The New Kingdom of the Eighteenth Dynasty is considered the world’s first glassmaking epoch. Glassbeads took the place of precious and semiprecious stones. During this time all kinds of designs and styles of glass beads came into being.

A decline in glass making skills occurred in Egypt after the Nineteenth Dynasty ended. Glass virtually disappeared after the fall of the New Kingdom about 1085 B. C. It was revived in Ptolemaic times, when Alexander the Great founded Alexandria. Glass produced during this time is reported to include some of the most beautiful and complex beads ever made.

Diamonds are the widely accepted birthstone of the month of April. Aside from diamonds, however, there are other April birthstones. Opal is the Mystical birthstone. April overlaps two zodiac signs, Aries and Taurus. The birthstones of Aries are bloodstone and diamond, jasper is its planetary stone, and all three are considered its lucky charms; the birthstones of Taurus, on the other hand, are sapphire, turquoise, amber, and blood coral, its planetary stones are emerald and aventurine, and its lucky charms are sapphire and diamond.

Diamonds most commonly mined in Africa (such as Ghana and Zaire), Australia, Brazil, and USSR. They are often colorless, but can come in other colors as well. The diamond, also known as the King Gem (the pearl being the Queen Gem), symbolizes purity and eternal love and faith, pertaining to its durability. It is considered by others as an emblem of invincibility and courage. It is believed among the Hindus that a diamond with flaws such as specks is bad luck.

The diamond takes its name from ancient Greek, essentially meaning “unalterable” or “unbreakable.” Due to its hardness—a 10 according to the Mohs Scale—it is considered perfect for everyday wear, immune to scratching and mild blows. Equally good characteristics are its beauty and rarity, making it a very glamorous jewelry gift, especially as engagement and wedding rings for couples. Though it is durable, it still can chip with sharp impact because of their innate brittleness, so it must still be handled with care. It also must be stored separately from other jewelry as it can scratch them and other diamonds as well.

Another one of the April birthstones is opal. Mostly coming from Southern Australia with its black kind coming exclusively from the Australia itself, opal is considered to be very old, even dating back to the Cretaceous period when dinosaurs still existed. It comes in many colors and its highest quality is considered more expensive than a diamond. Its name being derived from the Latin “opalus,” meaning “seeing jewel,” in addition to being able to heal, it is believed to increase mental capacities such as one’s creative imagination and other unexplored, unused mental powers in addition. Black opal is said to be extremely lucky.

Opal’s hardness is 6 to 6.5. Caring for opal jewelry entails avoiding getting it wet, scratched or exposed to heat. They are said to radiate hope, happiness and truth and along with other April birthstones, when turned into rings, they are considered special as they are believed to bestow upon the wearer the virtues of the gem.

Gold is available in a wide selection of colors ranging from red to gray. By combining gold with other metals, colored gold alloys are produced. For example, rose gold contains copper and green gold contains silver. The richness of the color is regulated by how much of a particular metal is added. A deeper rose color is achieved by adding more copper. More than one metal can also be used to produce less common colors. Grey gold contains both copper and iron. Although the base metals are mixed in different quantities to produce these gold alloys, the actual amount of gold does not change. Both 14 karat rose gold and 14 karat blue gold contain the same amount of gold.

Not all gold alloys are suitable for jewelry making. The main purpose of adding base metals to gold is to improve its properties. Pure gold is too soft; making is susceptible to dents and scratches. Some base metals however, are better than others. Purple gold can be made with aluminum. Unfortunately, the resulting alloy is difficult to work with, making it an uncommon color in jewelry.

The worst thing you can do for your colored gemstones is assume they are as sturdy as diamonds. Gemstones are far more fragile. As a rule, they should not be exposed to chlorine, extreme temperature changes, solvents, or harsh physical contact. Some gemstones are more susceptible to damage than others. Emerald, opal, peridot, and garnet do not handle sudden thermal changes well. Certain solvents, including alcohol and acetone (nail polish remover) will fade dyed gemstones such as jade and lapis lazuli. Sharp knocks can cleave (split at certain angles) tanzanite, topaz, iolite and moonstone. The best way to protect your gems is to treat them very delicately. They should not be worn to the pool, or while doing household chores. Jewelry should be stored in individual pouches or wrapped in soft material when not in use.

It is best to clean daily-wear jewelry with tepid water and a mild soap that does not contain ammonia or harsh abrasives. Regular care eliminates the necessity for professional cleaning. Most jewelers use ultrasound to quickly remove dirt build-up. Although very affective, this treatment can fracture already weakened stones or loosen poorly set stones. Some gems, such as emeralds, which normally have flaws, should avoid ultrasonic cleaning altogether.

Flawed or dyed stones are perhaps the most difficult to care for. These stones tend to contain more fractures and enhancements. More often than higher quality stones, they are easily damaged through chemical exposure and physical abuse. It best to keep these pieces in storage until needed. However, some pricey gemstones (including diamonds, rubies and sapphires) are equally vulnerable to harm. No matter the value of your gemstone, gentle handling and regular cleaning will ensure longer wear and enjoyment.

We talked to a friend about how she chooses earrings. Her earrings always look great so I am sharing what she said (and how she said it) here.

Earrings With Personality

I have a wide variety of tastes and what I like when looking for earrings. I enjoy ones that are unique, but not extreme. I usually look with a friend and base my decisions on whether those type of earrings have looked good on me. I lean towards medium size silver hoops because I think that they are classic and almost always in style. Plus they are able to dress up an outfit that may be more casual. I also look for studs that fit comfortably and with a dash of color.

What to Do When Have Multiple Piercings

Since I have several pierced holes in my ears, I usually wear at least four earrings at a time. I like earrings that highlight and accentuate what I am wearing or my eyes. I am not a big fan of earrings that are so over the top that they are the main thing that others noticed. I think that small studs with different colored gemstones are adorable and a great accessory. I also think that studs that are small, but creative are awesome. For example, I have worn small studs that were made of sterling silver that were shaped like hands or I also wear a pair that is geckos. I think that adds a hint of fun and humor as well as depicts part of of who I am.

Metals Are Important

One aspect that is crucial for me is checking out the metal. Although it is fun to get some funky cheap earrings, I know I personally am aware that I need to change them because the mental used may cause discoloring. It is important to monitor the amount of time I will be wearing earrings because I want to keep my ears in good shape.

Shopping Tips

I think shopping for earrings can be a lot of fun, it is usually the small details that may attract me more to a pair. I also think it is important to try out what new styles are and I usually have seen someone wearing them or they are displayed prominently at the store. Although I mentioned that I am not a fan of the over the top earrings, it is important to have a few fancy pairs that may compliment an outfit or display some fun. Earrings are a great way to show some of an individual’s personality and it is all about what makes you feel comfortable and confident.

Zircon is a natural gemstone. It comes in a variety of colors such as colorless, white, blue, green, dark red, yellow, brown and orange. Its brilliant luster and fire combined with its hardness and range of colors makes it a most desirable gem.

The natural gemstone zircon is often misunderstood with the laboratory grown and inexpensive cubic zirconia. This is because of their similar sounding names. Though zircon looks like the synthetic cubic zirconia, the two are totally different.

Zircon is mined in from Norway, Austria, Germany, Srilanka, Combodia, Myanmar, Australia and other countries.