Sterling Silver, Tahitian Cultured Black Pearl, and Diamond Pendant Necklace and Earrings Jewelry Set Review

No two diamonds are alike. A diamond’s most distinguishing characteristics are its inclusions, marks that are often invisible to the naked eye. However, under a jeweler’s magnifying loupe or microscope they can look like crystals, tiny rivers, or clouds. A diamond’s clarity is determined by the presence or absence of inclusions–fewer inclusions mean better clarity–and how visible they are. The greater a diamond’s clarity, the greater its brilliance and value. A diamond categorized as internally flawless will have no inclusions, but this is extremely rare.

Diamond Color:

Though diamonds come in a wide range of colors, colorless diamonds have traditionally been considered the most valuable. Most diamonds are graded on a scale using the letters of the alphabet, from D (colorless), the best grade, through Z (a light yellow). It is difficult for the untrained eye to notice such variations in color unless stones are being compared side by side.

Diamond Carat Weight:

A diamond’s weight is measured in carats, with one carat being equivalent to 100 points. You will often see a diamond referred to as a 3/4-carat stone or a 75-point diamond. Larger stones are often more highly valued, but size should not be the only consideration–high brilliance, which varies according to clarity, cut, and color grade, is highly desirable in a diamond.

Diamond Certification:

A diamond certificate represents independent verification that the stone purchased has all the qualities of cut, color, clarity, shape, and weight expected. It is a further indication of the condition and value of that diamond as represented on our site. Such certificates are issued by several agencies employing highly trained gemologists and provide an unbiased and accurate evaluation of the diamond. These gemologists scrutinize each stone to analyze its dimensions, clarity, cut, color, finish, symmetry, and other details.

Diamonds purchased from the Amazon.com Collection may be certified by the Gemological Institute of America or the International Gemological Institute. The type of certificate provided will be noted in the product specifications of your jewelry purchase; if you do not see a certificate type noted, one will not be provided.

Our Diamond Policy:

Amazon.com sources high-quality diamonds from some of the world’s largest suppliers. All our diamond suppliers certify that to their best knowledge their diamonds are not conflict diamonds.

Diamond Care:

Diamonds, as the hardest substance on earth, are resistant to damage. However, diamond jewelry is set in different metals, and care will vary from piece to piece. Diamonds should be cleaned in a solution of one part ammonia to six parts water, using a gentle scrubbing brush to remove any dirt. It is a good idea to have them cleaned once a year by a professional jeweler, at which time the security of the setting can be checked as well. Diamond jewelry should be stored in a soft cloth pouch to ensure that the stone will not scratch other jewelry.

Tahitian Cultured Pearls

The natural black color of the Tahitian pearl comes from the black-lipped variety of the pinctada maxima oyster. These oysters are farmed on the volcanic atolls of Tahiti, where the mixture of nutrient-rich ocean water mixes with warm lagoons creating an ideal environment for them–and the only place where Tahitian pearls can be found. Like the South Sea pearl oyster, the black lipped pinctada maxima is sensitive to the cultivation process, making the Tahitian pearl rare and expensive. Though they are, on average, slightly smaller than the South Sea pearl, Tahitian pearls are larger than Akoyas and their black color adds a dramatic touch.

Cultivation

Pearls are produced naturally in the body of salt and freshwater mollusks, such as oysters and mussels. When these animals sense an irritant, such as a grain of sand, they produce a soft coating of calcium carbonate substance around it. The result is a pearl. Because perfectly round, naturally produced pearls are so rare, a process known as cultivation was developed by Kokichi Mikimoto in the early 1900s. A small bead of polished shell, the nucleus, is used as an irritant and delicately inserted into the mantle of a mollusk. It takes approximately 20-24 months of intensive husbandry to cultivate a saltwater pearl and somewhat less time to cultivate freshwater pearls. The harvest usually takes place during the months of June and September.

Color

Mollusks produce pearls in a variety of colors, accommodating most personal preferences and budgets. The general color of a pearl is also known as the body color. Pearls typically range from white, cream, and yellow to pink, silver, or black. An overtone of secondary color is sometimes seen. For instance, a pearl may appear to be white, but upon closer inspection a rosy hue is detected. The body color would then be termed white-rosé. Color variation does not affect the quality of the pearl, though it should be noted that color matching is important when choosing pearls for some necklaces, earrings, or bracelets. In fashion jewelry, pearls can sometimes be dyed to achieve the desired color, which should be mentioned in the product description or specifications.

Lustre

The appealing, deep shine of a pearl is often what defines its beauty. This shine is produced by multiple layers of semi-opaque calcium carbonate crystals, called nacre. The nacre reflects light on the surface of the pearl, producing brilliance and sheen. Lustre is an integral feature in determining the quality of a pearl. Large pearls have a thicker nacre and, therefore, a higher lustre. When comparing a small Freshwater pearl to a large South Sea pearl, the difference is clearly visible to the untrained eye and should be considered when purchasing pearls.

Shape

While pearls come in many different shapes, the rarest and highest-quality are round. Akoya, Tahitian, and South Sea oysters tend to produce the roundest pearls, while those of Freshwater mollusks can be oval to slightly off-round. When considering a pearl purchase, whether it be a necklace, bracelet, or earrings, look for consistency in the shapes of the pearls. Many of the less symmetrical shapes are used in stylish jewelry which can be quite beautiful: the drop pearl’s shape lends well to earrings, and the baroque pearl features irregular shapes that work well as necklace accents. In addition, a half sphere pearl called a “mabe” is often used in earrings, necklaces, and bracelets.

Size

An oyster’s particular type and size has a direct effect on how large the pearl it produces will be, and pearls do come in a wide range of sizes. Round pearls are measured according to their diameter, while baroque pearls are measured by their length and width. A pearl’s size does not necessarily affect its quality, but it does affect its price. Large, round pearls are rare and their lustre is usually high–this beautiful combination of traits is often reflected in the cost of such pearls.

Surface Markings

Often when an oyster creates a pearl, the nacre does not develop smoothly. The surface of a pearl is judged by how many marks are visible in the nacre. These imperfections can be small and unnoticeable or quite large and distinct. Like diamonds, pearls are rarely flawless. However, high lustre or the way pearls are strung and set can help conceal surface markings.

Care

Proper care of pearls is not difficult if you remember that they are organic and produced by a living thing. Pearls are soft and delicate, but when cared for with common sense, they will maintain their lustre for centuries. The pearls should not come in contact with cosmetics, hairspray, perfume, chlorinated water, or other harsh chemicals. To keep them clean, let them be the last item put on when dressing, and the first item taken off at the end of an evening. The best way to maintain their lustre is to wear the pearls often, and wipe them down with a soft cloth afterward–pearls absorb the oils from skin, which helps keep them moist. Pearls should be stored in a cloth pouch or jewelry bag, separated from other jewelry to prevent nicks or chipping. Periodically, pearl strands should be restrung since the silk thread used to tie the pearls together breaks down over time.