Funky Diva Accessories ~ Blogger On The Rise! ~ PEARLS PEARLS & MORE PEARLS ~ Article #10

 What Are Baroque Pearls and How Valuable Are They?

Before I share “Pearls of Wisdom” around my favorite gem; I thought I might share my “Love Story” of Pearls.  It’s quick simple and just a tad bit funny.

Years ago; we really don’t want to tell you how long but it is slightly relevant to the story.  I was 15 years old and my mother had this beautiful strand of pearls that I adored!  Well, one day I picked out this outfit I was going to wear to school and I felt it needed a statement piece of jewelry to pull it together.  The only piece that came to mind was of course, my mother’s pearls.  I figured I could get them back home and safely back into her jewelry box before she got home and knew anything about their adventure to high school.  Of course that did not happen like I thought it would.  I get home from school and my mother greets me at the door with a huge smile inquiring how my day had went.  I have to tell you the smile disappeared once she laid her eyes on my neck with it adorned by her pearl necklace!  She didn’t yell or scream.  She quietly asked, “Eyvonne, Why are you wearing my pearl necklace?”  My response actually got me off the hook…well, a little bit.  My reply was, “It goes with my outfit” After laughing hysterically, she regained her composure and told me she would skin me alive if I wore them to school or anywhere else without her permission. 

I never wore them without her permission again, but, what’s bitter sweet is that I now own them and she is no longer with me to watch the joy that it brings me when I wear them.  I miss my mother!  Okay, moving right along…..

I find that there is nothing more elegant, sexy and downright feminine than a nice pearl necklace ensemble.  My thing is, it does not have to be your “Mother’s” design.  So I try to keep a little tradition mixed with some “funky” creativity to add to my pearl designs.  They have a way of just bringing something to the “party”

I am working on a new “Pearl Line” and it will be unveiled soon, so stay tuned!  But until then….here is some more educational information about my most Favorite Gem Bauble - PEARLS

Baroque pearls are some of the most fascinating organic gems available on the jewelry market. They are the ideal choice for bold women who want to show the world just how special they are. They are the absolute opposite of traditional pearls because each one has its very own shape and size. This makes them extremely easy to use to create gorgeous pieces meant to fit every style. But just how valuable are baroque pearls? Here’s a few things about them, just to give you an idea of their significance and value.

What Are Baroque Pearls?

Shape is one of the key factors taken into consideration when assessing pearls. There are two main types of peals out there, each of them branched out in sub-types. If a pearl is round, it is considered to be a traditional pearl. As for all the other irregular shaped ones, they are considered baroque.

What Types of Pearls Are Baroque Shaped?

The most common type are baroque freshwater pearls. Only less than 10% of freshwater pearls are round, which means that the vast majority of these pearls are baroque. But these are not the only types of pearls which are baroque. Saltwater pearls, as well as cultured and natural ones, also come in baroque shapes. Even some Akoya pearls, which are best known for their perfectly round specimens, have baroque shapes.

What Are the Main Baroque Pearl Shapes?

As we have previously mentioned, there are quite a few sub-types of baroque pearls. While all of them are misshapen, there are some features shared by certain specimens. Here are some of the sub-types of baroque pearls so that you can get an idea of just how vast this category really is.

COIN PEARLS

Coin pears are a sub-type of baroque pearls. They are round in shape and flat and their surface is very smooth. They are able to reflect light particularly well because they have a much larger flat surface than other types. This provides them with a spectacular luster. They are extremely appreciated in the jewelry making business because they can be used for amazing pieces, such as baroque pearl necklaces or baroque pearl earrings.

BAROQUE PEARLS

While baroque is the common term used to describe pearls that are not round, it is also one of the sub-types. It includes pearls shaped like elongated spheres. They are asymmetrical and their surface is dented and uneven. These pearls were greatly used in Victorian and Art Nouveau pieces.

TWIN PEARLS

This term is used to define two pearls that have fused together. They may have similar shapes or one of them might be larger than the other. They are ideal for baroque pearl stud earrings because they appear to be extremely elegant.

POTATO PEARLS

These are the smallest types of baroque pearls. They are not elongated, like other baroque shaped ones; instead they are small and often square, rounder, or lumpy. They are ideal for baroque pearl bracelets and baroque pearl necklaces.

CROSS PEARLS

This is a very special type of baroque pearl. The specimens from this category come in the shape of a cross, which makes them ideal for jewelry pieces with religious notes. They are true wonders of the natural world.

STICK PEARLS

Also known as BIWA pearls, stick pearls are elongated, flat, and narrow. Their shape resembles sticks of various sizes. Stick pearl pieces are absolutely stunning. They can be easily used for statement pieces because of their particular shape.

RICE PEARLS

These are small baroque pearls that resemble the shape of rice grains. They are rather close to traditional pearls because they are rounded, but remain imperfect. They are commonly drilled centrally and used for baroque necklaces and baroque bracelets.

EGG PEARLS

As the name suggests, the shape of the pearls from this sub-type greatly resembles that of an egg. They have a wide bottoms and narrow tops. They are usually drilled vertically to preserve and highlight their unique shape.

HEART PEARLS

Similar to coin pearls, these baroque pearls are flat and have the shape of a heart. They are extremely appreciated in the jewelry making business because they can be used to create romantic baroque pearl pendants.

TEARDROP PEARLS

This is one of the most appreciated sub-type of baroque pearls. They have a wide top and very narrow bottom that makes them resemble teardrops. They are extremely delicate and they are commonly used for luxury earrings.

LEAF PEARLS

These are the thinnest baroque shaped pearls. They are paper thing with a very bumpy and uneven surface. They can be used for a wide range of jewelry pieces, including bracelets, necklaces, and earrings.

 KESHI PEARLS

Keshi pearls are the rarest type of baroque pearls. The mollusk rejects part of the seed, but the pearl continues to develop from there. This is why they do not have a center particle. They are mainly composed of nacre and appear to be elongated and have an extraordinary luster. They are the most appreciated baroque pearls on the jewelry market.

Baroque Pearls Value Factors

Because of their unusual shapes, baroque pearls cannot be assessed according to the standards imposed for traditional pearls. While some criteria are used to analyze both types of pearls, there is a very different way of interpreting the value of baroque pearls.

§  Type

The type of pearl that appears baroque shaped is always the main factor that determines its value. While the vast majority of misshapen pearls are freshwater pearls, their value is far lesser than that of baroque Akoya pearls, for example.

§  Shape

While traditional pearls are assessed according to how well-rounded they are, baroque pearls are analyzed according to the particular shape they take. As we have explained above, the most valuable baroque shaped pearls are Keshi pearls, baroque pearls and cross pearls.

§  Size

Whether it is traditional or irregular in shape, the size of a pearl will always be extremely important for determining its value. As for classic pearls, the larger the pearl, the more valuable it is.

§  Color

Baroque pearls are used to create a wide range of jewelry pieces. As such, the color of the pearl is very important in assessing its value. Since most irregular pearls come in shades or white, salmon and pink, dark-colored pearls are the most valuable because they are extremely rare.

§  Luster

A pearl’s luster is determined according to how well they can reflect light. Coin pearls and Keshi pearls are the most valuable types of baroque pearls because they have the best luster in the entire category.

So there you have it…Pearls!

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Fabulously Funky my Divas! 

~Eyvonne