Cultured Pearl Treatments
All cultured pearls are cleaned and polished to enhance the luster before being sold to jewelers. Also Akoya pearls are typically bleached. There are additional treatments that are applied to lower quality pearls in order to develop a marketable product.
One such treatment is the use of silver nitrate to darken the pearls or dyes to color them. Akoya pearls are often treated with pink coloring. Another type of treatment is irradiation with gamma rays to darken the nucleus of saltwater pearls which turns them a bluish tone. And finally some pearls are coated to create luster. This is not considered desirable as a coating may eventually peel and reveal the surface of the lower quality pearl.
There are a few ways for a buyer to determine if a pearl is treated. If a strand of pearls is being purchased look for slight irregularity in the colors of the pearls. If the pearls are all exactly the same sheen and tone, they are likely dyed or treated with nitrate. Another way is to inspect the inside of the drilled hole of a pearl with a jewelers loupe and look for dye residue or a darkened nucleus. Coated pearls must be identified with a strong magnifying device to determine if the pearl has a scaly surface. Coated pearls will be very glossy. Unscrupulous pearl dealers have been known sell coated pearls without revealing the treatment. It’s always important to at least ask, and then obtain a guarantee when purchasing pearls, in order to be sure of the investment.
 |
 ESTATE 14K 1930s POWER BLUE ENAMEL CULTURED PEARL BAR PIN  US $280.00
|
 Cultured Pearls Genuine Diamonds Dangle Drop Post Earrings 14K Solid Yellow Gold US $115.67
|
 10 11mm Cultured Freshwater Baroque Pearls w GOLD US $149.99
|
 White Cultured Pearl Sterling Silver Leverback Earrings US $19.99
|
 HONORA FRESHWATER Gray CULTURED PEARL STERLING BRACELET NWT US $124.99
|
 12MM SOUTH SEA PEARL AND PINK AND CREAM CULTURED PEARL LARIAT 18K WG US $999.00
|
 Freshwater Cultured Pearl DANGLE EARRINGS Stainless Steel w Silver Hooks New US $31.99
|
 Cultured White Pearl Natural Red Ruby Gemstones Necklace 14K Solid White Gold US $145.31
|
 STERLING SILVER FRESHWATER CULTURED PEARL NECKLACE SET US $22.75
|
 Cultured White Pearl Natural Red Ruby Gemstones Necklace 14K Solid Yellow Gold US $145.31
|
 Round Cultured PEARLS Diamonds 18K GOLD Size 6 RING US $360.00
|
 Cultured White Pearl Natural Sapphire Gemstones Necklace 14K Solid Yellow Gold US $145.31
|
 Cultured Pearl Sterling Silver Necklace Earring Set US $275.00
|
 5 1 2MM Cultured Pearl 10kt White Gold Ring US $168.00
|
 9MM 9 1 2MM Cultured Pearl 100 Strand Necklace US $1,895.00
|
 Cultured White Pearl Natural Sapphire Gemstones Necklace 14K Solid White Gold US $145.31
|
 14K Solid Gold Cultured Pearl Drop Natural Amethyst Studs Dangle Post Earrings US $163.52
|
 14K White Gold Amethyst Studs Dangles Cultured Pearl Drop Natural Gems Earrings US $163.52
|
 18 CULTURED PEARL NECKLACE W 10K GOLD CLOSURE US $14.99
|
 ES DESIGNER LUSTROUS YELLOW JAPANESE AKOYA 84mm CULTURED SEA PEARL RING SZ 6 US $19.99
|
| Powered by phpBay Pro |
Filed Under: Facts & Useful Info
About the Author: Wanda Fitzgerald is a Florida native and an vintage charm collector who loves to share her adventures in an e-commerce jewelry business with anyone who is interested.
