Pearl Value-Shape

Shapes
Round

In general the round pearl is the most valuable pearl shape. This is partly because a well formed round shape is relatively hard to find. Also most people recognize a round chocker of pearls.

Symmetrical
A symmetrical pearl also should have well proportion symmetry. The outline should not have irregularities.

Baroque

Baroque Pearls can have all different shapes; they can be shaped like a cone or a wing. Many times they are formed in the muscle tissue of the mollusk rather than its softer organs. If a pearl looks like it could be round but has an irregular deposit of extra nacre it is classified as a semi-baroque pearl. If all is equal in the valuing a baroque pearl will rank third behind spherical and symmetrical pearls.

Pearl Value - Matching

Matching – Pearls are organic and no two will be alike. You often need to look at the design of the piece as many designers intentionally mismatch their pearls. Matched pearls are rated as …

Excellent – The pearls will be drilled in the center and they have a uniform appearance.
Good – The uniformity of the pearls has a minor variation.
Fair – The uniformity of the pearls very noticeable uniformity.

Pearl Value - Nacre Quality

Nacre Quality – A thicker nacre does not always guarantee that you will have a better pearl. However, in most instances thicker nacre will also tend to be a more lustrous pearl. If you look at your strand of pearls and they appear to be chalky they probably have thinner nacre. Also rotating your pearl and seeing blinking which is the pearl’s nucleolus showing through is also a sign of thin nacre. If you can look at the end of the pearl around the hole and it you see chipping that shows the bead it is a sign of thin nacre and will probably not be very durable. There are three classifications for nacre quality
Acceptable - The nucleus is not able to be noticed. You might see a very slight blink upon rotating it. The appearance is also not chalky.
Nucleus Visible – The pearl will blink, you will see a flicker of light to dark when rotating. You also see evidence of the bead through the nacre.
Chalky Appearance – The pearl has a whitish appearance and it is dull.

Pearl Value- Surface Quality

Surface Quality –Cultured pearls an organic material s they are going to show surface characteristics. This is perfectly normal and there are many different types of irregularities.

Abrasions – These are going to be scratches on the surface that a result of damage to the pearl.
Bump –this is a very small little blister, welt or bulge that is normally very small and does not change the basic shape of the pearl.
Chip – A place on the pearl where there is an opening in the surface.
Crack – This is a fracture in the nature that reaches the surface of the pearl. It can also be a fracture in the nucleus.
Flat – A spherical or symmetrical pearl that has a small flat section. It needs to be too small to change the overall shape of the pearl.
Gap – The nucleus is not covered by nacre in a specific area.
Pit – A small depression or indentation. Looks like a small pinprick. They can be found just as a single or in a group.
Scratch – A depression or thin grove that is in the surface of the pearl.
Spot – An area in the nacre that is either darker, lighter or even more dull that the surrounding areas.
Wrinkle – This can appear as a crease or even a ridge in the surface of the pearl.

For evaluation pearls are divided into four categories.
Clean – A trained person will examine the pearl and find them to be spotless or have a very minute surface characteristic.
Lightly Blemished – The trained person will find minor surface irregularities.
Moderately Blemished – The trained person will find noticeable surface irregularities and characteristics. Heavily Blemished – The trained person will find obvious surface issues. The durability of the pearl might be affected by these blemishes.

Pearl Value-Luster

Luster-The luster of the pearl is where you find the true beauty of a pearl and is thus its most important value factor. There are four categories of luster that are used when grading pearls.
Exellent – the reflection is distinct and sharp.
Good –Reflections are not as sharp but they are bright. The edges are a bit hazy.
Fair – Reflections are blurred, hazy and weak.
Poor – Your reflection will be dim. Luster is also different for the type of pearl. An akoya will have a very bright-mirror like luster and a South Sea parl will have a satiny soft luster

Pearl Value-Color

Color- A Pearl’s color is the same as anything else we look at color in. It is made of three basic componenents
Hue- the first impression of clor that we see.
Tone – The lightness or darkness of the pearl
Saturation - The intensity of the color.

To really understand the color of a pearl think about anything that nature it is made up of a blend of color. Look at a beautiful flower and it isn’t just a solid color. It is a blend of colors even if all of the same basic color. Pearls are the same. The color of a pearl will have 3 main characteristics.

Bodycolor- This is the dominant color of the pearl that you see overall.
Overtone- This is a translucent color that will appear over a pearl’s surface. It can be more than one color.
Orient- Iridescent, ranbow colors that will shimmer either over or just below the pearl’s surface.

You will see a bodycolor for all pearls but they will not all have an overtone or orient.

There are many trade names that are used for pearls. However, remember that each manuafacturer might have a different take on this name and it is simply for a reference point.
Apricot- These refer to a light pinkish orange Freshwater pearl from China.
Aubergine-A Tahitian cultured pearl that has a dark grayish purple body color.
Golden-This cultured pearl has a strong greenish yellow to orangy yellow color.
Lavender – A Chinese freshwater cultured pearl that is light pinkish purple in color.
Peacock – A Tahitian cultured pearl that has a dark green to gray to blue gray body color. It also has overtones that are rose and purple.
Pistachi – A Tahitian cultured pearl that has a yellowish green to greenish yellow bodycolor.

Pearl Value Factors

Size – Pearls are sold in millimeaer sizes and they are usually rounded to the nearest 0.5 mm. As with most gems the larger the pearl generally the more valuable. However, also as with all pearls this can change depending on how all the value factors of the pearl itself work together. Also each type of cultured pearl has a different range of sizes.

Shape- Round pearls are the ones that we think of the most when we think of a pearl. There are many different shapes from tear drops, coins and irregular freeform shapes. There are seven standard shapes although they are by far not all that we see today. These shapes are…
Round- This pearl appears round to our eyes.
Near Round – This pearl is almost round when we look at it. They can be out of round, flattened a bit and even elongated.
Oval –These are symmetrical. They appear rounded but with an oblong shape.
Button- They are symmetrical. These are flattened or slightly flattened in shape. The button can be high-dome or low dome.
Drop –This is a symmetrical rounded pear shaped pearl. It can be long or short.
Semi-baroque – This is a non-symmetrical, slightly irregular oval, off-round button or drop pearls.
Baroque – This is a pearl that is non-symmetrical in shape and has noticeably irregular appearance.

Any shape other than those 7 standard shapes they should be described by their shape, like a cross, a bar or a coin.

Pearl Information

Saltwater Cultured Pearls
There are approximately 3 different types of a saltwater cultured pearl.
Akoya
Tahitian
South SeaThey look very different and each comes from a different type of oyster.


Value Factors- Each type of pearl has its own unique types of ranges for value factors. The total worth of a pearl depends on how all the value factors mix together.
Size
Shape
Color
Luster
Surface Quality
Nacre Quality
Matching

Metaphysical Properties of Pearls

Metaphysical Properties of Pearls.

Pearls usually come in a pale white or a cream color but you can find pink, darker blue, sometimes gray and even black. Pearls are in tune with women, and especially so with pregnant women. Pearls relate to inner growth and form. Pearls absorb by nature so you need to remember this when wearing pearls. If you have having a day where you feel that you have a lot of negative energy and you are wearing the pearls they will absorb this energy and will hold it. You should cleanse the pearl regularly. Pearls can be very nurturing and if we use them in a proper way they can lessen stress and the results that stress can have on our body. If you are going to use pearls with other stones consider using a diamond which will help to amplify the energy and purify. Emeralds will bring out the negative energy and disperse it. This stone is recommended for a variety of occupations including artists, chiropractors and farmers. The white color is a symbol of a pure heart and mind. It is of the sea so it has the water and lunar elements and because of this will help to balance emotions. It is especially good for water signs. Fire signs are not as compatible with a pearl unless they feel drawn to it.

What we are thankful for

I have asked my friends to continue giving me things that thy are thankful for. In times like these it is easy to focus on all the problems in the world. Changing our focus to the things that we are have and living in an attitude of gratitude can help us to go through tough times. Here are what my friends are grateful for.

I am grateful that I didn't have to pay off my speeding ticket!

I am also grateful for the people who have influenced me in my life for the better that surround me daily.

I am thankful for having such supportive friends who are always there for me.

I am thankful for being a part of a team who has grown into more of a family.

I'm grateful for a working body and brain.

I'm grateful to have a mother that cares enough about me to bug me almost daily. :-)
I'm grateful to be working for a company that appreciates what I do.

I'm grateful that I got my heater working this morning!

I grateful for my two children that keep me young even though I'm growing old.
I'm grateful for love I get from my friends and family everyday.

I am grateful to have a job that I like that pays my bills.

I am grateful to have my house which I love that is in a location and a neighborhood that I love.

I am grateful for the love of my life...Wyatt. He is more human than feline and the calm in many of my storms.
I am grateful that I was raised in a very loving tight knit, albeit dysfunctional family.
I am extremely grateful for all the new friends I have made since returning to VA.

I am grateful for a beautiful sunny day with a yard full of crisp autumn leaves and a holiday chill in the air.

I am grateful for a warm friendly house full of soft fuzzy dogs and a sweet, loving wife.

Namate,

Linda

Gratitude

Today I asked my good friends if they wanted to share what they were grateful for. This week I want to honor the spirit of gratitude and my good friends. They know who they are.

We are grateful for :

I'm grateful for every experience I've had this year.

I'm grateful for the many good friends I have.
I'm grateful that I have enough to eat and a warm place to live.

I'm grateful for my lovely wife and her beautiful pregnancy. :)

I'm grateful to be dancing in two troupes with such wonderful insane people. I fit right in.
I'm grateful my mom and stepdad have moved back here from TX...now they just have to get they're own place.

I am grateful that I'm not the one who has to cook for 37 people on Thursday. (I'm sure they're grateful for that too).I

am grateful that I sneezed twice this morning and didn't pee either time.

I am grateful for such a wonderful group of friends that I have in PURE.
I am grateful for my child’s college fund.

Create Peace

Create Peace

We must create peace within ourselves. We have the ability to do this each day by experiencing joy. We have the power to look at things through peaceful eyes rather than angry eyes. Try the next time you are angry with someone, stopping and thinking through the situation with love not anger or hate. Be friendly to a stranger by simply smiling through a heart filled with peace and joy.

Namaste

OM

If you look at the symbol it is made with three curves, a semi-circle and a small dot. The bottom curve is said to represent the waking state. This can also relate to our material world. The upper curve represents deep sleep and the right curve represents dream. The dot is said to symbolize the absolute and illuminates the other states.

OM

OM can be thought of as universal music. Many people refer to it as the symbol of the absolute. OM represents what is spiritual. Since God, and spiritualism of any sort can not be described in words it can be described in the symbol OM. The OM can represent the Infinite and very essence of the Universe itself. For those who practice Hinduism and Buddhism it is a very important symbol. Many other religious practices use it as well. In our modern culture it has become important to many. In the Western culture it often means to some Peace.

Meditation

OM is often a symbol that is used in guiding meditations connecting, man, God and the universe. While we meditate if we chant OM it can create a vibration that will help us to quiet our mind and connect with the universe. It is difficult to think while you chant OM. If you do start having thoughts the sound will stop. The sound is divine as it comes from within ourselves.

Trunk Show

I have been lucky enough to be working with a new Yoga studio in town. Grace Yoga opened in August and is now carrying my line of jewelry. To celebrate we are going to be having a trunk show this Friday September 5th. It will run from 6 to 9 and there will be goodies to eat as well as my full line of jewelry to look at in a very relaxed setting. There will also be my two favorite yoga teacher there Iffett and Arlene. They would be glad to show you the studio and answer any yoga related questions that you might have.

SaturdayJune 13th

I have been very busy with Art Shows and have not had a chance to write much. I am currently working on my Yoga line. One of my favorite words is Namaste. I love the fact that it means we honor the light within someone. I created a new ring that is free form in nature but works well to show the words. I think this could make a lovely wedding ring design for someone if they were looking for a special set of wedding rings for those that are spiritual in design. However, I really like bands of all styles. This ring will probably be one of the cornerstones of my Yoga Line.

Namaste,

Linda

Monday November 5th

Today I spent the day finishing some pieces that I have been working on. I seemed to be focusing either on Tourmaline stones which are for the heart chakra or light blue Ceylon sapphires. I also seemed to be clutzy today as I broke a few things while making them. I also dropped stones and spent time finding them.

The fourth chakra is located near the center of the sternum. The physical attributes are characterized by their pulling in and pushing away. Our arms and hands are executors of our heart chakra energy. They can reach out for things or reach out to keep things away from us. One of the functions of the heart chakra is to balance our personal needs and the needs of others. The ultimate in balance is following our own path while allowing others to follow their own.

The fourth chakra moves us out of physical and into the spiritual. More on the spiritual aspect of the fourth chakra tomorrow.

Namaste

Sunday November 4th Forget-Me-Not

I have been working on jewelry most of the weekend. I recently danced in an Alzheimer’s walk. I say danced because I am a belly dancer that dances in P.U.R.E, which is a dance troupe to promote peace and positive energy in the community. It was an overwhelming event emotionally as my mother is in her final stages of Alzheimer’s. She had some issues the week before and I knew being there would be difficult. I have also lost a grandmother and grandfather from Alzheimer’s as well as have an Uncle with it. This is truly something that is in my family and my heart. I work hard to promote positive energy to them but often find it difficult. After doing some research I found that the forget-me-not flower is the flower that is used by many Alzheimer’s groups so I went to work creating some. I entered 2 flowers into juried art shows and both were accepted. I named this group of work “Joan” after my mother. It gave me great peace to be able to do this and have it turn out so well. Seeing her name on the wall was so wonderful. It renewed my spirit to be able to work with her on something, even though she is lost in her own world.

I spent the weekend creating different forget-me-not jewelry to try and expand on it. Forget-me-nots from the wedding flower definitions mean remember me forever. I have decided to add them to my line in honor of my mother as well as a symbol for remembering. It can be someone that we may have lost and wish to remember or someone special in our lives now. I made myself a ring this weekend to see how the style would work and I placed my mother’s name on the inside so every time I wear I will think of her.