River pearls like the stars of the night sky, like sparks of snow, beckons and attracts. For a long time, only the elite could flaunt jewelry made from this stone, demonstrating luxury and we alth. But now such products delight many thanks to master jewelers. Natural freshwater pearls are used to create various jewelry for women. Such products will suit both an elegant evening dress and everyday outfit, for example, a sundress and even a business suit. Also, such decoration is an integral part of the wedding image of the bride. Sometimes a young dress is sheathed with pearls, a veil is decorated.
What is a pearl? It is a hard round formation that is extracted from the shells of mollusks. Pearls are especially valuable in the form of a precious stone in jewelry.
Formation of pearls in nature
Pearls ripen in a clam shell. There is a foreign substance in it. After that, mother-of-pearl is deposited around it, which is calcium carbonate and conchiolin. Mother-of-pearl falls in waves reflected in the light. It turns out the usual pearls of white color. But it also occursblack pearl (river). There is also green, yellow and blue. The latter are the most valuable, as they are very rare and attractive.
River pearls are harvested from fresh water shellfish in countries such as Russia, Germany, China and the United States of America.
There is no simpler material for creating jewelry than freshwater pearls. Earrings from it are simply magnificent. But pearls are not stored for a long time - the oldest jewelry has already collapsed. Only in the museum of Cairo, the most ancient product, which is more than four thousand years old, has been preserved.
Currently, there are practically no natural pearls left. If someone gets it, it can be considered incredible luck. Of course, the price of this product is very high. Many hundreds of shellfish must be examined to find one good pearl.
Interesting spawning method
After there were no pearls left in nature, they began to cultivate them on farms. Often it appeared due to small parasites. They were trapped by the mussels, which enveloped the foreign body and began to release mother-of-pearl on it. Thus, after a few years, a pearl up to twelve millimeters in diameter was born. It contains many pearlescent layers. Pearls are diverse in shape, and there are no perfectly round ones.
The process of obtaining pearls by a person
In the process of cultivation, a similar river pearl is obtained. Its properties are the same, only it ripens under human control.and according to the proportions and shapes set by him.
At the end of the nineteenth century in Japan, a farmer researched the process of origin of freshwater pearls for twenty years, until he finally received a patent for its cultivation. This is where the pearl industry began.
How does this process happen? A small ball is inserted into the body of the mollusk with a needle. Several shells can be inserted into one shell in order to subsequently receive several pearls. Next, the above process of enveloping the ball with mother-of-pearl takes place. As a result, a pearl of a round ideal shape is born. Only a slight surface roughness will indicate that it has grown in a natural environment.
Types and varieties of pearls
The most valuable is considered to be the river pearls, the shape of which is rounded. In the process of cultivation, as a rule, it turns out to be almost perfectly round. In nature, you can’t guess what form a pearl can grow. It depends on the curves of the foreign body that got inside the shell.
Main categories by pearl shape:
- sphere;
- symmetry;
- baroque.
These categories are also divided into such forms as:
- circle;
- oval;
- button;
- pear;
- drop;
- baroque;
- semi-baroque.
River pearls most often grow in the form of baroque. This is the most versatile variety with a wide color range. The undisputed leader of its productionis China, where the cultivation process began long before the invention of such farms and grafting oysters.
Production in Russia
In our country, pearls were mined in Valdai. It was believed that the more salmon in the pond, the more pearls there will be. This is due to the fact that salmon was called the "royal fish." Depending on the size, pearls had such names as "pearl cucumber", "pearl grain", "beads".
It was used to decorate women's clothing, hats. Special ornaments were embroidered from it, which served as amulets. Until the end of the nineteenth century, Russia was engaged in fishing for river pearls. After the beginning of the twentieth century, it was no longer possible to find pearls of natural origin, even in world markets. It has become a privilege of the royal families.
Application of pearls
But in the twentieth year of the 19th century, the notorious Coco Chanel made pearls popular again. She proved its necessity as an addition to any outfit. She also introduced a multi-layered thread of freshwater pearls into fashion trends. To make such an ornament, it takes about seven years of tireless painstaking work of craftsmen to select the required number of stones.
Pearls can vary in shape, color, size, clarity and brilliance. In total, more than a hundred shades are now used. Asymmetrical shapes of stones, sometimes fantastic, are becoming more and more fashionable. They provide increased attention to their owners.
Famous jewelry companies present exquisitedecorations. This is an original platinum necklace with a scattering of colored pearls and diamonds, as well as magnificent necklaces made of beads of different shades and shapes.
River pearls are versatile in their application. Not only jewelry, but even shoes are made from it. Such magical sandals in their beauty adorn women's legs. But their cost, of course, was not disclosed.
Small conclusion
Now you know what freshwater pearls are, photos are presented in the article for clarity.
Jewelry made from this material will never go out of fashion. It doesn’t really matter what kind of pearls they are made from, river or sea, natural or cultured. It is equally ideal for both roy alty and an ordinary housewife. The shape and color of pearls will give charm and charm to its owner. Pearls can be worn with almost any outfit. It goes well with a strict office suit, and with a luxurious evening dress. Currently, many of the fair sex can afford it.
