will be weak and may crack or peal.
The surface of the pearl should be blemish free – no bumps or cracks. Inspect under a bright light. Baroque pearls are the exception to this rule – their charm is in their irregularities.
Pearls are measured in millimeters. The larger the pearl the higher the cost. A 6mm pearl is going to be much less than a 12mm pearl.
The least expensive pearls are the freshwaters, which mainly come from China. They come in all shapes, sizes, and colors. Average size is around 7 mm.
The best way to care for your pearls is simply to wear them. The natural skin oils keep them moisturized. Do not put them on until you are done with your cosmetics. This includes hair, facial, and perfume. The residues from these products will ruin your pearls. Do not wear your pearls in the water – chlorinated and salt water will damage them. Polish with a soft cloth and never use jewelry cleaning products on your pearls.
Quality pearls are not cheap but they will last a lifetime. Freshwater pearls are becoming very affordable. Not all of us will be in the market for “Real Pearls” and lucky us there are plenty of options. Swarovski makes a crystal pearl that is of the finest quality and quite difficult to tell from a true pearl for a fraction of the cost and they are available in a variety of colors. There is an endless supply of imitation pearl or costume jewelry pearls on the market. These are offered in a wide variety of styles and colors. Great fun at affordable prices.