Pearl Jewelry for Children
Children and Jewelry
In many cultures in ancient times, including European, African, American and Pacific, babies were often presented with a piece of jewelry when they were born. Most times a simple bracelet or necklace was given. Just as jewelry has evolved over the centuries, so have the reasons for wearing it. This writer remembers that when my little girls were born - three of them to be exact - each was given the most lovely gold bracelet from their grandmother. I loved it when they would wear them and cringed every time they used the bracelet as a teething ring. So now I have three tooth marked gold bracelets in my jewelry box that I cherish.
Our Children’s Pearl Jewelry is one of our best-selling collections and our customers tell us that the the little girls they give our jewelry to just love wearing their pearls and being “just like mommy”.
This testimonial from Emily C. continues to be one of our favorites:
My friend’s daughter Kaya wore her Moon River Pearls’ child’s pearl necklace today to her 1st day of first grade. She called me tonight and said “Emily, I wore the pearl necklace you gave me in case I got scared…..then I could just hold onto them and rub them so I wouldn’t be scared anymore.” Kaya’s mom reported that it worked! Thank you Moon River Pearls.
What age do you think is appropriate for little girls to start wearing jewelry? When would you allow your daughter to get her ears pierced? We want to hear from you.
Filed under Children's Pearl Jewelry | Comments (5)Choosing Your Bridal Jewelry Should be FUN
BRIDAL JEWELRY FAQs
Does my wedding jewelry need to coordinate with my dress?
Yes. Just as you’d choose a veil or tiara to complement your hairstyle, bracelets, earrings and necklaces should be chosen to complement your dress. A single strand read more
When should I shop for bridal jewelry?
Don’t panic. With minimal planning, you can get your wedding jewelry without much fuss. Read our wedding jewelry checklist.
Is there such a thing as too much wedding day bling?
Yes! You want your bridal jewelry to enhance your look, not overpower it. The most important consideration is that people notice you on your big day more than they notice your jewelry or dress. read more
What jewelry is appropriate for a beach wedding?
For beach weddings, we like pearl jewelry, shell jewelry and mother of pearl jewelry. With their nautical connotations, these styles are highly appropriate. Just choose something breezy, read more.
What jewelry should I wear if I’m having a black tie wedding?
At black tie weddings, you can go all out. Tiaras, four strand pearl bracelets, four strand pearl necklaces, chandelier earrings…they’re all appropriate for a black tie wedding. read more.
Is faux jewelry a faux pas?
Not at all! Whatever fits into your budget and makes you feel beautiful is always appropriate. If you love the look of diamonds but can only afford CZs read more
I’m going for a vintage look. How do I choose vintage-looking jewelry?
With all the styles out there, it’s easy. Decide on what look you like and do an Internet search. You don’t have to splurge on real vintage jewelry read more
I have jewelry from both sides of the family. How do I choose what to wear?
If the pieces are in the same family—say pearl earrings and a necklace, they’ll typically look great together. But if your mom and his mom each want you to wear a pearl necklace, consider read more
Help! I don’t have pierced ears. Are there earring options for me?
You’re in luck! While clip-on earrings can be hard to find, Moon River Pearls has many styles of classic pearl clip on earrings that are perfect for the modern bride. read more
What do pearls say about the modern bride vs. other jewels?
There is no doubt that diamonds are popular and gorgeous, but pearls have symbolized romance and sophistication for centuries. read more
I want to wear pearls. Are they affordable?
Yes! Fortunately for pearl lovers, there’s no better time to buy pearls. Compared with many other gems, pearls are very affordable. read more.
BRIDESMAIDS
Should my bridesmaids’ jewelry match?
Absolutely not! In fact, it’s fun to choose different jewelry for each woman based on her style and personality. That said, if you want each piece to match, that’s fine too. read more
Can I give jewelry as a gift to my bridesmaids?
Yes, not only can you, give bridesmaid jewelry as a gift, it’s pretty much a tradition! Chances are, your maids are shelling out big bucks for their dresses, shoes, and hair, read more
When is an appropriate time to give my bridesmaids their gifts?
Ideally, before they go out and buy jewelry on their own. Traditionally, brides give gifts at their bachelorette parties or bridal showers—some even at the rehearsal dinner. read more
Should my maid of honor get something special?
If she’s the one planning your shower and going above and beyond to help with all your wedding day details, then yes, it’s appropriate to give her something extra. read more.
Help! My bridesmaid/maid of honor has tattoos/dreadlocks/gauges.
Celebrate it! Just as you have your unique style, your bridesmaid has hers. It’s more important that she’s standing up there with you, lending support, rather than read more
FLOWER GIRLS
What style of jewelry is appropriate for a little girl?
With their traditional and demure reputation, we love pearl jewelry for flower girls! Choose a tin cup style, pearl bracelet, or dainty earrings if read more
What size flower girl jewelry should I choose?
Most children’s necklaces are 12-14 inches and fit the average girl just fine. When in doubt, look for necklaces that have extenders—typically a one-inch chain read more
What jewelry is appropriate for a junior bridesmaid?
Any jewelry that is similar to the rest of the bridal party’s style. Just make sure read more
Need help from a real wedding jewelry consultant? E-mail bridal@moonriverpearls.com for personal recommendations.
Beautiful Brides Choose Pearls
Pearls and weddings have gone hand in hand for centuries. As far back as you can go in recorded history, royalty, from ancient princesses to Princess Diana, have worn pearls. Recognizing the gems’ elegance and beauty, modern brides everywhere continue to carry on the tradition.
A symbol of purity and class, pearls’ creamy colors complement bridal attire perfectly, making the gems the perfect bridal accessory. Today’s pearls are affordable even if you’re not royalty, but choose wisely. We guarantee you’ll be wearing your pearls with everything from business suits to jeans long after your wedding day.
Filed under Bridal | Comment (0)Pearl Jewelry Gifts for Your Bridesmaids
Wedding Party Gift Dilemma Solved
Wedding party decisions are perhaps the toughest wedding-related tasks you’ll tackle. Must you include the groom’s horrid sister? Will having twelve bridesmaids make you look too Liza Minelli? Do you have to pair your beautiful favorite sister with that drunken slob of a best man? What to do about eight-months-pregnant Donna? And should you force your nearest and dearest into ugly bridesmaid’s dresses for sheer retaliation? (Hel-lo giant royal purple taffeta butt-bow!)
Phew! A girl could elope just thinking about it.
If you haven’t yet chosen gifts for your bridal party, you’re in luck. Read this and you’ll have one less wedding dilemma. The perfect solution not only doubles as wedding attire but will thrill your bridesmaids and stay in style forever. This wonder gift? Pearl jewelry.
Before you flip out and cross the filet off your list, consider this: Real pearls are extremely affordable, especially when they’re freshwater cultured pearls. And no, that doesn’t mean they’re Rice Krispie-shaped either. For years now, the Chinese have been producing high luster, round freshwater cultured pearls that rival the beauty of Japanese akoyas. Gift your bridesmaids with pearls and not only will their accessories match on your big day, they’ll be thrilled with a gift they can actually use.
For gorgeous quality pearl jewelry your bridesmaids will flip over, keep these pearl buying tips in mind:
• Size counts. Pearls are measured in millimeters. A larger pearl takes longer to form, and the chances of finding a perfectly round, large pearl are slim. After the 7.5-8mm mark, prices rise dramatically. Choose a 6.5mm strand…it’s lovely and affordable, or, if you love the look of a larger pearl, pick a more affordable pendant.
• Pay attention to luster and surface markings. The higher the luster—seen in the sharpness of the reflection off the pearl’s surface—the more desirable it is. As for surface markings, if a pearl is perfectly smooth, it’s likely faux. Minor surface characteristics are natural and don’t detract from a pearl’s beauty. That said, avoid large pits, dents and obvious dimples.
• Check for shape: Round pearls are the rarest, and of course the most expensive. To test for roundness, roll a strand on a table or desk. It should roll smoothly. Any bobbing up and down means the strand has some clunkers and hasn’t been carefully matched. Don’t like round? The baroque pearl is a more affordable and unique option. Baroque pearls have no obvious symmetry, but are quite lovely to look at. In fact, baroques have been favored by jewelry designers for centuries. When you’re shopping for pearls, be sure to check out baroque pearl strands…they might just appeal to you.
• Nacre thickness is important. Nacre, the same substance as mother-of-pearl, is what makes the pearl a pearl. It should be sufficiently thick; if it’s thin it will flake and peel, and eventually the bead nucleus—the implanted object which irritated the oyster and started the pearl growing process—will show through. Many freshwater pearls are made from tissue-nucleated mussels, not beads, making them solid nacre. Freshwater pearls also tend to have beautiful luster. Ask a trusted jeweler about nacre thickness, as it is nearly impossible to tell nacre quality just by looking.
• Choose color carefully. A classic white strand is always in style and perfect for weddings, but pearls come in gorgeous pastels too. A lavender, pink or peach strand might work well with your bridesmaids’ dresses, but be sure to consider skin tone. Lavender strands in particular look beautiful with most skin tones and are “in” according to InStyle magazine.
• In a pearl strand, such as a bracelet or necklace, uniformity is important. This is called matching. While no strand will be absolutely perfect—subtle variations are to be expected from a natural gem—they should be very similar in size, shape, luster and color. Pay attention to the clasp area, as unscrupulous jewelers have been known to hide imperfect pearls near the clasp.
When it comes to style, the sky’s the limit. Pearls’ newfound popularity with designers has given way to tons of unique styles and unexpected gemstone combinations. Classic pieces are always in, but many of today’s modern styles are sure to become classics as well. Depending on the style of the dress, a beautiful pearl cuff bracelet, pearl dangle, stiletto or drop earrings, a pearl pendant or a pearl-and-gemstone combo style could look absolutely stunning. For a totally polished look, choose a pearl jewelry set which includes a pearl strand and matching earrings (sometimes even a bracelet!). Pearl sets are great as your bridesmaids can later wear them to work, parties, and other functions—classic pearls go with everything.
If your style is more Vogue than Town & Country, don’t get stuck on the traditional stuff that’s showcased in bridal magazines. Browse vintage shops, local jewelry stores and poke around the Internet until you find something that grabs you.
Remember, freshwater cultured pearls are gorgeous and very affordable. There is absolutely no reason to buy faux pearls. Your friends did shell out big bucks for wedding attire, accommodations and travel, and they’re planning to throw you a killer shower. Thank your bridesmaids with a gift of timeless and affordable pearl jewelry…and please don’t make them wear a big purple bow!
Caring for Your Jewelry
Caring for Your Pearls
Treated with care, pearls can last a lifetime or longer. Although they have a low hardness compared to other gems, their dense, compact makeup makes them surprisingly durable. But pearls are perishable. Substances like perfume, vinegar, hairspray, inks, and perspiration are detrimental to pearls, as is chlorine. It is best to remove pearl jewelry before swimming and showering, and to put pearls on after makeup, perfume and hairspray have been applied. Once a pearl’s surface is marred, unlike a gemstone, it cannot be polished, sanded or reshaped—unfortunately man has yet to invent a way to restore pearls’ natural beauty. For this reason, pearls should be stored in their own pouch (or your Moon River Pearls box) away from other gems so they don’t get scratched or marred. To clean pearls, rub them with a soft cloth. If soap is needed, use a non-abrasive cleaner such as hand soap. Let your pearls air dry fully before you wear them again. Never use bleach, abrasive cleaners, or an ultrasonic jewelry cleaner. It may be necessary to have pearls restrung if they are worn frequently.
Sterling Silver and Gemstone Jewelry Care
With a little care, sterling silver and gemstone jewelry will stay beautiful for decades. If you enjoy your jewelry as much as we do, you’ll want to take a few simple steps to keep it lustrous and scratch-free so it’ll always look like new. Follow our easy care tips, or, if you desire, take your jewelry to be professionally cleaned.
To keep your sterling silver beautiful:
- Steer clear of harsh chemicals and cleaners as well as personal care products when wearing sterling silver jewelry. These can dull the silver over time and damage any gemstones.
- Clean your jewelry with sterling silver polish or sterling silver polishing cloths, which you can buy at most jewelry and hardware stores. DO NOT subject gemstones or pearls to sterling silver polish as this can damage them over time.
- Air, moisture and sunlight can dull sterling silver. To keep tarnish at bay, store your jewelry in an airtight, dark, dry environment when you’re not wearing it. (Do not store pearls in airtight plastic bags; pearls need to breathe.)
To keep your gemstones beautiful:
Gemstones have varying degrees of hardness, which are ranked using a method called the Mohs hardness scale. The rankings, from one to ten, represent the material’s hardness, or ability to scratch another material. A gemstone with a hardness of five can scratch a gemstone with a hardness of three, for example, but not one with a hardness of eight. A diamond is rated a 10 on the Mohs scale. Amber, by comparison, ranks a 2 to 2.5, and is easily scratched. Anything with a rating of less than 7 is easily scratched. (Gold and silver are only 2.5-4.)
Due to their ability to scratch each other, gemstones should not be stored in a tangled web in your jewelry box (the gold and sterling silver they’re set in or strung on can scratch as well). Separate each piece in an individual compartment if possible, or wrap in soft cloth to protect it.
When it comes to keeping your jewelry beautiful, prevention is the best method. Above all, keep your gemstone jewelry clean. Dust, dirt, oils and chemicals from household cleaners, hairspray, chlorine from pools and the like can damage your stones. It is best to remove you jewelry before gardening, cooking, baking, cleaning, etc. When you remove your jewelry, wipe it with an untreated soft cloth to remove dirt and oils before storing. Ultrasonic cleaners and jewelry cleaning solutions are not for every stone and can cause damage; check labels before using.
Many colored gemstones can become dull over time if they’re exposed to prolonged periods of sunlight. Depending on the stone, it can fade, pale or change color. Store your gemstone jewelry away from direct sunlight.
The following are gemstones that Moon River Pearls uses in its jewelry, followed by their hardness on the Mohs scale, and basic care instructions.
Abalone, 2.5, clean with water and an untreated soft cloth
Agate, 7-9, clean with a soft soapy cloth
Amethyst, 6.5-7, clean with commercial cleaners, soap and water or an untreated soft cloth
Amazonite, 5-6, clean with a soft, soapy cloth
Aquamarine, 7.5-8, clean with commercial cleaners, soap and water or an untreated soft cloth
Aventurine, 7, wipe gently with a moist, untreated cloth
Carnelian, 7, clean with an ultrasonic jewelry cleaner, or with warm, soapy water and a soft brush
Citrine, 6.4-7, clean with commercial cleaners, soap and water or an untreated soft cloth
Diamond, 10, clean with ultrasonic or commercial cleaners, soap and water or an untreated soft cloth
Fluorite, 4, clean with warm, soapy water and a soft brush
Jade, 6-7, clean with soap and water or an untreated soft cloth
Jasper, 7, clean with warm, soapy water and a soft brush
Lapis, 5-6, clean with soap and water or an untreated soft cloth
Marcasite, 6-6.5, clean with with an untreated, soft polishing cloth
Mother-of-Pearl, 2.5-4.5, clean with an untreated, damp soft cloth
Onyx, 7, clean with soap and water or an untreated soft cloth
Pearl, 2.5-4.5, clean with an untreated soft cloth (for more, see our Caring for Your Pearls guide)
Peridot, 6.5-7, clean with an untreated soft cloth
Prehnite, 6-6.5, clean with soap and water or an untreated soft cloth
Quartz, 6.5-7, clean with commercial cleaners, soap and water or an untreated soft cloth
Topaz, 8, clean with soap and water or an untreated soft cloth
Tourmaline, 7-7.5, clean with commercial cleaners, soap and water or an untreated soft cloth
Turquoise, 5-6.0, clean with soap and water or an untreated soft cloth
Zircon, 6-6.5, clean with soap and water or an untreated soft cloth
Fun Pearl Facts
The pearl is the oldest gem—often referred to as the “queen of gems”—and believed by many cultures to possess magical powers.
Pearls are considered to offer the power of love, protection, and luck. Pearls are thought to give wisdom, enhance karma and deepen romantic relationships.
The ancient Egyptians prized pearls so much they were buried with the gems.
June’s birthstone is the pearl.
Pearls are the only gem created by a living creature.
Pearls will dissolve in vinegar.
The name Margarita means pearl.
Each year, millions of oysters are nucleated. But only a very small number bear fine quality cultured pearls.
Freshwater cultured pearls are given on the first wedding anniversary. Cultured pearls are also given on the 3rd, 12th and 30th anniversaries.
The process of growing a pearl can take many years. Pearls are soft and range between 2.5 and 4.5 on the Mohs scale of hardness. They must be treated with care.
Less than five percent of nucleated oysters yield pearls of such perfect shape, luster and color as to be considered fine gem quality.
Pearls are thought to keep children safe. (Children’s pearls.)
Ancient legend says that pearls were the tears of gods.
Cleopatra, Isabella Queen of Spain, Marie Antoinette of France, Mary Queen of Scots, Queen Elizabeth I, Barbara Bush, Elizabeth Taylor and the Queen Mother are just a few of the many women who admire pearls.
The first “pearl craze” occurred during the Roman Empire at the time of Julius Cesar.
Culturing pearls has made them more affordable.
Rene Russo made the tin cup necklace famous when she wore it throughout the popular movie of the same name. Seems to have done the trick for Kevin Costner!
Filed under About Pearls | Comment (1)Our Inauguaral Entry Into Blogging
To begin, we would like to make this blog all about pearls. When researching pearls you may come across many terms that you would like to know what they mean. Hopefully this list of pearl definitions will be helpful.
A Glossary Of Pearl Jewelry Terms
AKOYA PEARLS
Pearls from the Akoya saltwater oyster which is the mainstay of the Japanese pearl industry. Now also farmed by China and other countries.
BAROQUE PEARLS
Irregular shaped pearls of all shapes and sizes, neither round nor symmetrical. The surface is usually uneven. Most are inexpensive, but some have come to be the centrepiece for very expensive pieces of jewelry.
BIB
A pearl necklace of more than three concentric strands.
BIWA PEARL
Cultured freshwater pearls grown in Lake Biwa in Japan.
BLACK-LIPPED OYSTER
The oyster famous for the Tahitian pearl which is found in the South Pacific in and around Tahiti and French Polynesia.
BLACK PEARLS
A natural colored dark pearl grown in the black-lipped oyster. The color is black, light black/silvery or a dark grey, although other very dark colors such as the rarer peacock green are also referred to as black pearls. Natural color black pearls are rare and most of the cheaper black pearls, especially freshwater, are dyed.
BLEMISHES
Little marks, bumps, scars or irregularities on a pearl’s surface that give a pearl strand its personality, although heavy marking will lower its value.
BLISTER PEARLS
In reality, a natural pearl which occurs when a parasite intrudes through the outer shell of a mollusc. The mollusc secretes nacre over the irritant, cementing it to the shell itself. Blister pearls are usually irregular in shape.
BLUE PEARL
A dark-colored pearl whose color derives from foreign contaminants in the nacre, or between the nacre and the shell bead nucleus. Typically, blue pearls are naturally colored dark Akoya pearls, which may be blue or other dark colors.
CHOKER LENGTH
A pearl necklace 14 - 16 inches (35 - 40 cm) in length.
COLOR
The type of oyster or mussel is a key determinant in color. Different geographical areas have different molluscs which produce different colors.
CULTIVATION
The process whereby a mussel or oyster is seeded, cared for and harvested to produce a cultured pearl.
CULTURED PEARLS
Pearls formed by the insertion of a piece of mantle tissue, with or without a nucleus, into the host oyster or mussel.
DOG COLLAR
A choker length formed from multi-strands.
FRESHWATER PEARLS
Pearls predominantly flesh-nucleated typically in mussels in several countries around the world, notably China, Japan and the USA.
GOLD-LIPPED OYSTER
These oysters produce beautiful light yellowish or golden pearls. They are found mostly around South East Asian countries such as Thailand, the Philippines and Indonesia.
GRADUATED STRAND
A strand of pearls starting with small pearls at one end and gradually getting bigger until the centre where the largest pearl will lie. The pearls then graduate back to the other end.
HALF PEARLS
Whole pearls that have had one side removed to remove blemishes. If about three quarters of the pearl remains, it is known as a three-quarter pearl.
IMITATION PEARLS
Pearls manufactured to look like natural or cultured pearls. Various types exist. Solid or hollow glass beads coated with pearl essence derived from fish scales are one type, whilst lacquer covered beads are another. Cheaper varieties are created from plastic.
IRIDESCENCE
This refers to the optical effect whereby prismatic colors, similar to the ones seen on oil films, can be seen. Iridescence is the play of lustrous colors, which may be like those of the rainbow or a subtle combination of colors such as pink, blue, green, and silver.
KESHI PEARLS
These are small roundish natural pearls formed naturally in the soft tissue of the mollusc during the cultivation process from small pieces of the mollusc’s own shell. The mollusc treats these pieces as irritants and coats them with nacre.
KNOTTING
Small knots tied between each pearl in a strand to prevent them rubbing together and to avoid the loss of pearls if the necklace breaks.
LUSTRE
The appearance/shininess of a pearl’s surface judged by its ability to reflect light. One of the most important factors in judging and pricing pearls.
MABE PEARLS
Formed when a half-bead is cemented to the mollusc’s inner shell. The mollusc covers the half bead with nacre and when the shell is cut off, the bead is exposed at the back. The bead is removed, the pearl cleaned (to prevent deterioration) and the remaining hole filled with paste, wax or sometimes with another bead and then covered with a mother-of-pearl backing. Mabe pearls must only be used in closed-back settings. Also referred to as a half-pearl or cultured blister pearl.
MANTLE
The part of a mollusc’s soft tissue that secretes nacre. This tissue is also used to nucleate and stimulate pearl formation in freshwater pearls.
MALLORCA
A well-known type of imitation pearls from the Spanish island of the same name. Also known as Majorcan pearls, they are quite popular in the USA. Many people believe them to be real pearls when, in fact, they are high quality imitations.
MATINEE LENGTH
A pearl necklace 20 - 26 inches (50 - 66 cm) long.
MIKIMOTO PEARLS
A leading brand of pearls founded by Kokichi Mikimoto, the Japanese man credited as the creator of cultured pearls.
MOLLUSC
An invertebrate with a soft body often protected by a shell such as clam, oyster and mussel.
MOTHER-OF-PEARL
The smooth, hard pearly lining on the interior of oyster and mollusc shells, famous for buttons and small decorative objects. It is the same substance as nacre which forms pearls.
NACRE (‘NAY-KER’)
The pearly substance secreted by the mantle of certain molluscs to form a pearl.
NATURAL PEARLS
Formed entirely by an act of nature and without any assistance from man. An irritant such as a parasite or other foreign object enters the body and is covered in concentric layers of nacre inside the mollusc.
Close to round shape and slightly rounder than off-round shape.
NON-NUCLEATED PEARLS
Typically refers to freshwater pearls whereby mantle tissue from another mollusc is inserted to stimulate pearl growth. Refers to tissue-nucleated pearls.
NUCLEATED PEARLS
A nucleus is inserted into a mollusc to speed up the pearl growth. Acting as the irritant, the nuclei is covered by nacre.
OFF-ROUND PEARLS
Slightly flattened or slightly oval in shape.
OPERA LENGTH
A pearl necklace 28 - 36 inches (70 - 90 cm) in length.
ORIENT
The pearly lustre seen on pearls or mother-of-pearl shells. Also known as iridescence.
ORIENTAL PEARLS
Natural pearls found in the waters of the Persian Gulf. Due to pollution, production is almost non-existent nowadays.
PEARL
A natural pearl by definition, whereas cultured pearls should be referred to as ‘cultured pearl’ However, as cultured pearls now make up over 95% of world pearl production, it has become common to use the term ‘pearl’ to refer to cultured pearls.
PRINCESS LENGTH
A pearl necklace 16 - 20 inches (40 - 50 cm) in length.
ROPE LENGTH
A pearl necklace 40inches (100cm)
ROUND PEARLS
Are perfectly round in shape.
SEMI-BAROQUE PEARLS
Typically are not round and not irregular but are somewherein between, such as potato, pear, drop, button and egg shapes.
SHAPE
A key criterion in pearl pricing and quality. Most pearls are divided into four major categories: round, off-round, semi-baroque and baroque.
SILVER-LIPPED OYSTER
A South Sea type found usually around Australia which produces large and beautiful white and silvery white South Sea pearls.
SOUTH SEA CULTURED PEARLS
The area usually defined as South Sea extends from South East Asia, Thailand, Burma, Indonesia and Philippines through the coastal waters of Northern Australia to the South Pacific, French Polynesia and Tahiti. They are known for their large and expensive pearls which can be grown relatively quickly.
TORSADE
Otherwise known as twisters whereby you twist multi-strand pearls around each other – a popular way to wear freshwater pearl strands.
UNIFORM STRAND
A pearl strand whose pearls are almost the same size as each other.
Filed under About Pearls | Comment (0)