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| LUSTRE |
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The
word lustre traces its origins back to the Latin word lux, meaning "light",
and generally implies radiance, gloss, or brilliance.The unique lustre
of pearls depends upon the reflection and refraction of light from its
translucent layers and this is finer in proportion as the layers are thinner
and more numerous. The iridescence that some pearls display is caused
by an overlapping of successive layers - this breaks up light falling
on its surface. |
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| SHAPE |
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There
are eight basic shapes into which cultured pearls can be classified: round,
near round, oval, button, drop, circlé, semi-baroque and baroque.
It is believed that the rounder the pearl, the greater is its value. However,
pearls with baroque shapes have their own beauty and mystique. |
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| COLOR |
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Pearls
come in every color of the Rainbow – depending on the species of
oyster. They generally match the insides of the oyster that produces them.
So, Black Tahitian pearls come from the black-lipped oyster - Pinctada
Margaritifera. Because each pearl’s color depends on variety of
factors affecting its formation, it is difficult to match pearls exactly
on a strand. A perfectly matched strand might take years to produce! |
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| SIZE |
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With
all other factors being equal, larger pearls are usually more valuable.
Measured in millimeters, cultured pearls, depending on type, can range
in size from smaller than 1mm to larger than 20mm. |
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Sets