| |
Pearl Jewelry - The Story of Pearl Hunters
As long as pearl jewelry have been known to people, they have been a highly sought commodity for their beauty. It's only in recent times however that the industry has taken the hunt for the perfect pearl to a whole different level. Today, the shiny orbs that we see on in display in jewelry stores have actually almost always been grown in farms.
That's a far cry from the dangerous extraction and collection methods used before the invention of modern technology. In the past, not more than 100 years ago, the only way to retrieve pearls was by diving in lakes, floods and the ocean to pick them up, one at the time. The unfortunate divers who'se job it was to do this, were often poor and lured by the relative large sums they could get. The diver would sometimes have to dive as deep as 100 feet on one single breath of air. In order to preserve air and to stay submerged the longest, the divers would hold on to heavy stones on the way down.
Naturally, this dangerous activity was reserved for the desperate or the powerless - in many cases slaves or extremely poor peasents. Today, this method is all but obsolete in most places of the world. The cheaper cultured pearls have become popular and are many times the only pearls available to the consumer.
There are however still a few isolated areas that practice this old art of pearl diving. Some of the finest natural pearl speciments come from the gulf of Bahrain. Here, divers still risk their health to retrieve what are considered the top of the crop in the world. In fact, Bahrain wants no part of the sale of cultured pearls, banned from trade. Bahrain is one of the few places on earth that does an active job in trying to preserve the natural habitat and waters from pollution.
It's an interesting story and one that continues to fascinate buyers around the world. Somehow, the beauty of the pearl grows when it's been retrieved from the depth of the ocean.
Buying Pearl Jewelry Without Being Ripped Off
Buying pearl jewelry can be fun, exciting and confusing. Whether you're considering a gift of pearl jewelry for someone special or as a treat for yourself, take some time to learn the terms used in the industry. Here's some information to help you get the best quality pearl jewelry for your money, whether you're shopping in a traditional brick and mortar store or online.
Pearls
Natural or real pearls are made by oysters and other mollusks. Cultured pearls also are grown by mollusks, but with human intervention; that is, an irritant introduced into the shells causes a pearl to grow. Imitation pearls are man-made with glass, plastic, or organic materials.
Because natural pearls are very rare, most pearls used in jewelry are either cultured or imitation pearls. Cultured pearls, because they are made by oysters or mollusks, usually are more expensive than imitation pears. A cultured pearl's value is largely based on its size, usually stated in millimeters, and the quality of its nacre coating, which give it luster. Jewelers should tell your if the pearls are cultured or imitation. Some black, bronze, gold, purple, blue and orange pearls, whether natural or cultured, occur that way in nature; some, however, are dyed through various processes. Jewelers should tell you whether the colored pearls are naturally colored, dyed or irradiated.
Clams, oysters, mussels and many other mollusks with limy shells are known to produce pearls. But very few kinds yield gem pearls of jeweler's quality. The pearl is an abnormal growth of mother-of-pearl, or nacre, imbedded in the soft bodies of these shellfish. It is built up, layer upon layer, in the same way as nacre is added to the lining of the growing shell and always has the same color and luster. For example, over the country, hundreds of good-sized pearls are found each year in the oysters we eat. Unfortunately these have no commercial value regardless of whether they have been cooked or not because they are dull opaque white or purple like the shell of the parent oyster. In recent times almost all pearls of gem quality come from the oriental pearl oyster which has a bright shimmering translucent nacre.
A pearl starts growing when some irritating foreign substance such as a sand grain, bit of mud, parasite or other object becomes lodged in the shell-producing gland called the mantle. Pearls formed in the soft flesh where nacre can be added on all sides are most likely to be spherical and the most highly prized. By far the great majority are flattened or variously distorted and have little value. Size, color, luster and freedom from flaws are other essential qualities. Unlike other gems, such as diamonds, pearls have an average life of only about 50 years. In time the small amount of water in a pearl's make-up is lost and its surface cracks. Because they are mostly lime, necklaces which are worn often are injured by the acid secretions of the human skin.
Pearl Jewelry - The Story of Pearl Hunters
As long as pearl jewelry have been known to people, they have been a
highly sought commodity for their beauty. It's only in recent times
however that the industry has taken the hunt for the perfect pearl to
a whole different level. Today, the shiny orbs that we see on in
display in jewelry stores have actually almost always been grown in
farms.
That's a far cry from the dangerous extraction and collection methods
used before the invention of modern technology. In the past, not more
than 100 years ago, the only way to retrieve pearls was by diving in
lakes, floods and the ocean to pick them up, one at the time. The
unfortunate divers who'se job it was to do this, were often poor and
lured by the relative large sums they could get. The diver would
sometimes have to dive as deep as 100 feet on one single breath of
air. In order to preserve air and to stay submerged the longest, the
divers would hold on to heavy stones on the way down.
Naturally, this dangerous activity was reserved for the desperate or
the powerless - in many cases slaves or extremely poor peasents.
Today, this method is all but obsolete in most places of the world.
The cheaper cultured pearls have become popular and are many times
the only pearls available to the consumer.
There are however still a few isolated areas that practice this old
art of pearl diving. Some of the finest natural pearl speciments come
from the gulf of Bahrain. Here, divers still risk their health to
retrieve what are considered the top of the crop in the world. In
fact, Bahrain wants no part of the sale of cultured pearls, banned
from trade. Bahrain is one of the few places on earth that does an
active job in trying to preserve the natural habitat and waters from
pollution.
It's an interesting story and one that continues to fascinate buyers
around the world. Somehow, the beauty of the pearl grows when it's
been retrieved from the depth of the ocean.
Buying Pearl Jewelry Without Being Ripped Off
Buying pearl jewelry can be fun, exciting and confusing. Whether you're considering a gift of pearl jewelry for someone special or as a treat for yourself, take some time to learn the terms used in the industry. Here's some information to help you get the best quality pearl jewelry for your money, whether you're shopping in a traditional brick and mortar store or online.
Pearls
Natural or real pearls are made by oysters and other mollusks. Cultured pearls also are grown by mollusks, but with human intervention; that is, an irritant introduced into the shells causes a pearl to grow. Imitation pearls are man-made with glass, plastic, or organic materials.
Because natural pearls are very rare, most pearls used in jewelry are either cultured or imitation pearls. Cultured pearls, because they are made by oysters or mollusks, usually are more expensive than imitation pears. A cultured pearl's value is largely based on its size, usually stated in millimeters, and the quality of its nacre coating, which give it luster. Jewelers should tell your if the pearls are cultured or imitation. Some black, bronze, gold, purple, blue and orange pearls, whether natural or cultured, occur that way in nature; some, however, are dyed through various processes. Jewelers should tell you whether the colored pearls are naturally colored, dyed or irradiated.
Clams, oysters, mussels and many other mollusks with limy shells are known to produce pearls. But very few kinds yield gem pearls of jeweler's quality. The pearl is an abnormal growth of mother-of-pearl, or nacre, imbedded in the soft bodies of these shellfish. It is built up, layer upon layer, in the same way as nacre is added to the lining of the growing shell and always has the same color and luster. For example, over the country, hundreds of good-sized pearls are found each year in the oysters we eat. Unfortunately these have no commercial value regardless of whether they have been cooked or not because they are dull opaque white or purple like the shell of the parent oyster. In recent times almost all pearls of gem quality come from the oriental pearl oyster which has a bright shimmering translucent nacre.
A pearl starts growing when some irritating foreign substance such as a sand grain, bit of mud, parasite or other object becomes lodged in the shell-producing gland called the mantle. Pearls formed in the soft flesh where nacre can be added on all sides are most likely to be spherical and the most highly prized. By far the great majority are flattened or variously distorted and have little value. Size, color, luster and freedom from flaws are other essential qualities. Unlike other gems, such as diamonds, pearls have an average life of only about 50 years. In time the small amount of water in a pearl's make-up is lost and its surface cracks. Because they are mostly lime, necklaces which are worn often are injured by the acid secretions of the human skin.
Berlusconi, Putin to continue talks
MOSCOW - Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi and Russia's Vladimir Putin held a second day of talks Wednesday, moving from an informal meeting at the Black Sea resort of Sochi to akoya pearl jewelry the Moscow Kremlin.
Putin praised the talks, which focused on expanding bilateral economic ties and strengthening Russia's cooperation with Europe.
"I'm very pleased with Mr. Berlusconi's position that a common European space in economic, political, energy and cultural spheres can only be created together with Russia. We discussed in detail new mechanisms of cooperation between Russia and NATO," he told journalists after the Kremlin meeting.
Russian officials had hoped to use Berlusconi's visit to secure strong Italian support for Moscow's bid to join the World Trade Organization, and Berlusconi said such support would be forthcoming.
Berlusconi also said Italy firmly backed plans to boost Moscow's cooperation with NATO, its former Cold War foe. Last month, Italy offered to host a NATO-Russia summit to discuss cooperation between the alliance and its former Cold War foe.
Berlusconi said Italy was honored to be Russia's "privileged partner," as Putin called it during Tuesday's talks in Sochi.
"Our bilateral cooperation has reached an unprecedented scale and we have the common will to expand it," he said.
Last year, trade turnover between Russia and Italy totaled dlrs 9.3 billion, up from dlrs 5.5 billion two years ago, Putin said. RTR television said Italy was Russia's second-biggest trade partner after Germany.
Putin and Berlusconi also signed an agreement on technical cooperation and a memorandum on space cooperation.
Berlusconi was also scheduled to silver pearl necklace hold talks on Wednesday with Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Kasyanov. Before leaving for Italy, Berlusconi planned to take part in a wreath-laying ceremony at Russia's Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.
Berlusconi, Putin speak with Bush by phone after Russia's opening to international force in Iraq
PALAU - Russian President Vladimir Putin and Italian Premier Silvio Berlusconi consulted by phone with U.S. President George W. Bush Sunday, a day after Putin said Russia would welcome an international force in Iraq under U.S. command, Italian officials said.
Officials in Berlusconi's office said the call was made during the last part of Putin's three-day visit to Sardinia, where he was hosted by Berlusconi at the premier's seaside estate on the Costa Smeralda, but that they did not immediately know what was discussed in the conference call.
Putin told reporters Saturday that any decision on such a force must be made by the U.N. Security Council.
As U.S. troops in Iraq continue to freshwater pearl suffer casualties, Washington has been trying to line up wider participation in efforts to combat violence but has faced opposition from countries which opposed the U.S.-led war.
Putin's comments after talks with Berlusconi, a staunch Bush ally, suggested that Russia would be open to join in such a force, but he stressed his country's demand for a stronger U.N. role in Iraq's immediate future.
Putin and Berlusconi had long stretches of talks as well as socializing since the Russian president flew to Sardinia on Friday.
Italian news reports said the pair went swimming off a small boat in the clear, emerald green waters of Sardinia's northeast coast, returned to shore to have a drink at a hotel, then had a final lunch before Putin was scheduled to leave later on Sunday.
Berlusconi, Putin discuss ties, trade
MOSCOW - Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi and Russian President Vladimir Putin praised their countries' growing political and economic ties during an informal meeting Tuesday at a southern resort.
Italy is "a privileged partner" of Russia, Putin said as he welcomed Berlusconi to the Black Sea resort of Sochi, where the Italian began a three-day visit to pearl strand wholesale Russia.
"Trade, space, technology, military-technical cooperation, security in Europe and the world, relations with Europe and NATO - these are the issues I'd like to discuss with you," Putin said in televised remarks.
The meeting Tuesday was informal, with only the two leaders' closest aides attending.
The session will be followed by broader talks in the Moscow Kremlin on Wednesday involving top Cabinet members from both nations. Russian officials said they hoped the talks would secure strong Italian support for Moscow's bid to join the World Trade Organization.
Russia has failed to gain admission to the 144-nation organization despite nearly nine years of campaigning, in part because of import barriers used to prop up inefficient state enterprises and other trade restrictions.
Berlusconi, whose last month proposed Italy host a NATO-Russia summit to discuss cooperation between the alliance and its former Cold War foe, said he firmly supported Russia's integration into European organizations.
"Among European leaders, I am one of the most convinced that Europe should open its doors to Russia," RTR television quoted him as saying.
Last year, trade turnover between Russia and Italy totaled dlrs 9.3 billion, according to ITAR-Tass. RTR said it was Russia's second-biggest trade partner after Germany.
One major joint economic project is a pipeline to carry natural gas from Russia to Turkey under the Black Sea. Italian gas and oil group ENI is in charge of building the underwater part of the pipeline, known as Blue Stream.
Berlusconi's office said he would raise the Mideast crisis with Putin. In a statement, Berlusconi urged "moderation," saying that the "Holy Places and Bethlehem in particular" should be "respected and not reoccupied."
Russia is an official co-sponsor of the Mideast peace process launched in 1991, but it has played a far smaller role than the United States.
Meanwhile, Russia will formally notify Italy of its intention to wheat pearl turn over this year the remains of almost 500 Italian servicemen who died on Soviet territory during World War II, said Vasily Toluchko, spokesman for the War Memorial Association, according to ITAR-Tass.
Berlusconi to exploit Bush, Putin ties
ROME - Premier Silvio Berlusconi has never been shy about boasting of his successes or the friendships that made them possible. On Tuesday, when he hosts a landmark NATO-Russia summit here, he'll be able to highlight both.
Berlusconi has forged close friendships with his fellow conservative U.S. President George Bush and Russian President Vladimir Putin - alliances that he and Italian officials say paved the way for the agreement to allow Russia into NATO's decision-making structure.
"Putin, Berlusconi and Bush are in many aspects characters who are on the same wave-length," said pearl strand Fabrizio Luciolli, head of NATO's Atlantic Committee in Italy. "I believed this has helped."
As Berlusconi sees it, the agreement to create a joint NATO-Russia council was sparked by a long chat he had last July with Putin on the sidelines of the Group of Eight summit in Genoa.
Berlusconi said Putin "opened up" to him about his concerns of NATO's expansion to the Balkans and the U.S. threats - later borne out - to withdraw from the 1972 Anti-Ballistic Missile Treaty.
Until that meeting, Berlusconi told state television last week, Putin "was seen by all with concern, as a man who was the civilian head of the Russian secret services, who was an introverted person, dificult to understand, closed."
"I, on the other hand, managed to establish a sympathetic relationship with him in a long bilateral meeting because he explained in an explicit manner the concerns," Berlusconi said.
Berlusconi says he arranged a meeting between Putin and his other "great friend" Bush the following day. That resulted in an agreement to accelerate Russia's partnership with NATO so that it was in place before the alliance picks its next members in November, he said.
Political analyst Sergio Romano says only history will tell how big a role Berlusconi played in the agreement - but he acknowledged Tuesday's summit at the Pratica di Mare air base south of Rome was an unquestionable diplomatic success for the media baron.
In addition, the summit is a personal victory of sorts for Berlusconi, who was widely criticized by the European left - in particular in Belgium and Germany - when he came to power a year ago, Romano said.
"Now the fact that all these people will come to his house to sign the accord is a point of satisfaction for him," said Romano, a former Italian diplomat.
While his friedship with Putin is relatively new, Berlusconi has frequently touted the importance of his ties to pearl strand Bush and the United States. At a Memorial Day ceremony Monday outside of Rome, U.S. Ambassador Mel Sembler returned the compliment.
"America is fortunate to have many allies, but none is more vital than Italy; to have many friends, but none is closer than Prime Minister Berlusconi," he said.
Berlusconi suggests Pope-Putin meeting possible
MOSCOW - Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi on Tuesday said he and Russian President Vladimir Putin were working hard to ameliorate the tense relationship between the Vatican and the Russian Orthodox Church and suggested Putin could meet with Pope John Paul II when the Russian president travels to Italy in November.
Although it would not be the first time Putin has met the pope, it would be a symbolically significant gesture.
"Both of us are trying to pearl jewelry do all we can so that relations between the Russian Orthodox Church and the Vatican move forward toward cooperation and mutual understanding," Berlusconi said.
"I hope that during his visit (to Italy) President Putin will be able to meet with His Holiness," he added.
Putin did not comment on the prospect of meeting the pope, whom he met previously in June 2000 in the Vatican. Vatican officials were not immediately available for comment.
The Russian Orthodox Church resents what it claims are Roman Catholic attempts to poach converts in Russia and has resisted the Pope's often-expressed desire to visit Russia.
A Russian Orthodox Church spokesman refused to comment on the possible Pope-Putin meeting, saying that it doesn't concern the church.
Berlusconi's one-day visit also covered bilateral relations and Russian ties with the European Union, of which Italy is the current chairman.
At the start of the talks in the Kremlin, Berlusconi said that at the most recent EU summit "the EU stressed the importance of giving a new impulse to development of trade and economic relations with Russia. I received a mandate to move it forward."
On his previous trip to Russia in February, Berlusconi said he would promote the creation of a Russia-EU consultative organ, and possibly even a permanent council.
He pledged Tuesday that Italy would help arrange regular meetings of such a council to pearl jewelry help foster Russia-EU ties and repeated his statement that Russia could eventually become part of a "Big Europe," along with Israel and Turkey.
Putin said he and Berlusconi discussed the possibility of simplifying visa rules for young travelers and some other categories of people.
"We hope that the high level of trust and cooperation in Russian-Italian relations will become characteristic of Russia-EU relations as well," Putin said.
Putin obliquely referred to the latest EU diplomatic crisis, which erupted when Berlusconi likened a German member of the European Parliament to a Nazi camp guard, voicing hope it would not affect Russia's relations with the EU.
"We are following the situation in the European Union and seeing the emotions flying high in the European structures, including the European Parliament," Putin said. "We strongly hope that these internal political passions and political controversy, which are natural for democracy, would not hamper the positive development of relations between Russia and the European Union."
Putin is set to visit Italy in November to hold bilateral talks and take part in a Russia-EU summit. Moscow wants the summit to focus on its push for visa-free travel between Russia and the European Union and Russia's aspirations to join the World Trade Organization - an ambition Berlusconi strongly supported Tuesday.
Putin and Berlusconi have built a friendly relationship. They meet frequently on the sidelines of international forums, and gemstone necklace Berlusconi has regularly visited Russia. Putin's two teenage daughters spent part of last summer at the Italian leader's Sardinia estate.
FREE Blog at Beeplog.com
Responsible for the content of the member blogs are our members, not the provider, Beepworld GmbH
|
|
|
