The engagement ring represents the love between two people that are joining their lives together. This ring will be the bond that holds them together for the rest of their lives. Some will go for the customary diamond engagement ring, but others will choose one of the the more romantic and elegant pearl engagement rings. A pearl is known as the stone of sincerity and it proclaims that feeling to a bride. The pearl chosen for an engagement ring must be of the highest quality and be set in the most elegant and unique setting with the appropriate gemstones surrounding the pearl.
Pearl Engagement Rings – Type of Pearl
There are four popular pearls that might be chosen for a pearl engagement ring: 1) the freshwater cultured pearl which is usually white, but may have a rose tint; 2) the Mikoyan cultured pearl which has a higher luster than freshwater and a light color from creamy colored to whitish pink; 3) the Tahitian cultured pearl with a very exotic black to grayish-green color is more costly due to their scarcity and uniqueness; and 4) the South Sea cultured pearl which comes makes great white or even black pear engagement rings. A cultured pearl is created in oysters and mussels by covering a foreign object, injected into the shell, with a protective covering called nacre which produces the luster. This is a process invented by Minamoto in 1916.
A pearl’s quality is judged by six factors: 1) the higher the luster of the pearl, the more valuable it is; 2) the depth of a pearl’s nacre, or it’s external layer, with a bigger pearl having thicker layers making it more lustrous; 3) a pearl’s surface may have abrasion type flaws which will reduce it’s value; 4) the color does not determine a pearl’s value because they come in various colors and can even be dyed or tinted; 5) the shape of a pearl varies, a round shape would be more valuable and appropriate for an engagement ring; and 6) as with diamonds, the size of a pearl determines it’s value.
When choosing the pearl for the engagement ring, be sure to look for imperfections that could cause problems in the future. If it can be fixed, then ask for the pearl to be buffed to perfection. Examine the pearl to make sure it appears iridescent under a fluorescent light and ask about a beeswax treatment to enhance the lustre of the pearl. You want the pearl to be perfect to represent a perfect life time union between two people.
Choosing the right setting for a bride’s pearl engagement ring is very important. A large round pearl should be in a setting that compliments the elegant beauty of the pearl. The addition of other gemstones around the pearl would make the ring a one-of-a-kind. Complimentary stones such as diamonds, rubies, or sapphires around the pearl would create stylish pearl engagement rings with a bold statement to last for a lifetime of love and devotion.
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