Tag Archives: Pearls

Pearl trade routes could be revealed with DNA

June 8, 2020

Identifying and documenting the origin of notable pearls is central to a new service from the Swiss Gemmological Institute (SSEF).

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Pearls: Royalty’s best friend

February 27, 2020

The pearl is among the oldest known gems of our world. Historically, they were considered divine gifts, rich with love and royalty. Kings and crowns harboured natural pearls as a sign of power, purity, and wealth—almost as though the gems would bring prosperity and long life to those who possessed them.

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Creating unique jewellery with pearls and coloured gems

February 26, 2019

Combining cultured pearls with coloured gems offers many benefits. It not only allows jewellers to make one-of-a-kind pieces and expand their jewellery lines, but also helps them add contrast to their coloured gem jewellery while making it more affordable.

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Pearls: The evolution of a classic

February 15, 2019

Pearls are just about the only gems that are ready to use as soon as they are collected, which is why they are considered older than other gemstones

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Sotheby’s sets world records during 2018 sales

January 2, 2019

With numerous new records under its belt, Sotheby’s is counting 2018 as a banner year when it comes to watches and jewellery.

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World records shattered at auction of Marie Antoinette’s jewellery

November 21, 2018

Jewels once belonging to royalty made modern-day history at a recent Sotheby’s auction in Geneva.

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AGTA announces 2018 Spectrum Awards winners

August 8, 2018

The results are in for the 2018 AGTA Spectrum Awards, and new voices and new materials are at the fore.

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Cultured pearl design contest opens for entries

June 28, 2018

This Monday marked the launch of the 2018 International Pearl Design Competition.

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Detecting pearl imitations and treatments

June 22, 2018

Whenever something is prized, it is usually imitated, and pearls are no exception. Fortunately, fake pearls are easier to spot than many other gem imitations.

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The acid test: Preserving pearls’ fragile beauty

June 21, 2018

Due to their chemical composition, pearls are highly sensitive to acids and have to be handled with care. The reason for this is acids trigger a decomposition process in which carbonic acid is set free, thus causing a pearl to effervesce. This leads to damage to the pearl’s surface that can go as far as complete dissolution.

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