Pearls love air, light and contact with their wearer's skin. If they are treated with a little love and care they will give many years of happiness and joy. For thousands of years natural pearls have adorned kings, queens and nobles.
Natural (not cultivated) pearls are very rare and continue to be sought after by connoisseurs all over the world, being the most valuable pearls in the pearl trade. Many of the natural pearls available in the market have been found before the invention of the cultured pearl at the beginning of the 20th century and some of them have even grown in value with age.
In pearls, the most important criterion to determine their value is lustre (the shimmer that seems to come from the inside of a pearl). In every case, the rule should be "lustre before size". Only a strong layer of mother-of-pearl can produce an intensive lustre and it is also the most important sign of the lasting quality of a cultured pearl. The perfectly round or perfectly formed drop are the ideal shapes and these pearls are most highly valued. Here too, however, personal taste should determine the choice.
Significance of Investment in Pearls
The value in relation to the color of the pearl largely depends on what kind of a pearl it is. When grading the gemstones, the smoother they are and the more light reflected by the gem, the more valuable it is. Non-marred, almost flawless pearls are the most preferred.
Pearls with a thick and an iridescent coating on the outside (opaque lustre) are usually the best. Much like while using diamonds, you want your pearls to have amazing luster.
Whether your pearl is cultured or natural, how well it matches other pearls when creating jewelry pieces consequently effects the quality of the pearl jewelry itself. If your gem ranks well in all these categories, you have the valuable pearl in your hands.
Diving for pearls is a shortcut to investing in pearls, while eliminating middle-men. However, it’s hard, dangerous work that experts say should be left to the professionals. Plus, your chances of finding valuable gem stones are second-to-none.
Investment collectors are always on the lookout for rare and unusual pieces to add to their collection. While you might think that gold and silver is an obvious choice when buying investment jewelry, pearls are an excellent alternative. In recent years auction houses such as Christie’s have sold pearl jewelry far exceeding the value of other gemstones.
Unlike semi-precious stones such as amethyst and mother of pearl, cultured pearls are regarded as fine jewelry together with gems such as diamonds, sapphires and emeralds, and precious metals. When you buy top grade pearls such as Hanadama pearls or South Sea pearls, your jewelry will easily keep its value and may even become more valuable over time.
It’s important to know what to look for when buying pearls as an investment. Size, color, luster, the thickness of the nacre, roundness, and the absence of flaws all add to the value of the pearls. Consult a pearl grading bind before you buy pearls for sale, and always make sure that you purchase from a reputable pearl source and that your jewelry comes with a certificate of authenticity.
One of the advantages of buying jewelry as an investment is that you can wear it and enjoy its beauty. To make sure your pearls keep their value, always take good care of your jewelry. Keep pearl jewelry away from chemicals such as hairspray and perfume, and wipe with a soft cloth after wearing it.