The origin of cultured pearls

For more than 4000 years pearls have been collected, sought, bought and prized as the world's only organically produced gemstone. Long before man learned how to facet diamonds or cut emeralds, pearls were regarded as the epitome of luxury jewelry, and were only afforded to the most wealthy and influential. For thousands of years people of all cultures sought the elusive secret of pearls – why did they grow, and how did they grow. Theories ranged from dewdrops and tears of the God's, to the most commonly accepted urban legend of a trapped grain of sand. But until the end of the 19th century scientists and shell farmers were only able to produce blister pearls, or pearls attached to the inside of mollusk shells. This all changed when British-expatriate marine biologist William Sawville-Kent developed a way to stimulate a mollusk to produce whole pearls in Australia. His technique involved planting a rounded bead inside a mollusk. This had been attempted before, but he discovered the real secret. Along with the bead he implanted a small piece of donor mollusk mantle tissue. The perfect combination was born. This small piece of tissue acted like a catalyst of pearl production. It grew into a pearl sac which enveloped the bead, coated it with nacre and produced a pearl. William Sawville-Kent died shortly after discovering this secret technique, but not before sharing his secret with two Japanese nationals; a Mr. Tatsuhei Mise and Mr. Tokishi Nishikawa. Mise and Nishikawa returned to Japan with this technique and immediately filed for patents. At this same time pearl farmer Kokichi Mikimoto was culturing blister pearls but desperately seeking the secret to whole pearl culturing. The secret had finally come to Japan! After multiple court battles Kokichi Mikimoto finally succeeded in securing a patent for whole pearl cultivation in 1916. The cultured pearl industry – it was called the Mikimoto Pearl Company. For more than 50 years the Japanese closely guarded their national secret and maintained a virtual monopoly of pearl cultivation and marketing. Even ventures outside of Japan in Australia, French Polynesia, Thailand, and Burma were under the direction of Japanese grafting technicians and operational specialists. Technicians swore an oath to never reveal the secret of pearl culture. This well-kept secret remained with the Japanese until the late 1950s and early 1960s when other countries finally developed the same methods for pearl culturing. China began culturing akoya pearls in the 1960s as did Tahiti with black South Sea pearls. Australia soon followed suit producing the largest and most valuable of all cultured pearls – South Sea pearls from the Pinctada maxima pearl oyster. Today pearl farms are found all over the world and the Japanese dominance over the industry is all but gone. There are now thousands of pearl farms in China, hundreds in French Polynesia, many in Australia Vietnam and Korea, and even some small operations in India, Venezuela and Mexico. Until recently there was even a freshwater pearling operation in Tennessee. This wide-spread pearl culturing technique has finally put owning fine pearl jewelry within the reach of nearly everyone. Freshwater pearls can be purchased for as little as a few dollars a strand for low-grade but genuine pearls. High quality freshwater and akoya pearls can now be secured for just a few hundred dollars. Even Tahitian pearls no longer cost tens of thousands of dollars per strand. Pearls are now a beauty afforded to everyone.

Gold jewelry do s and don ts

Whether buying gold jewelry for yourself or a loved one, deciding what and where to buy fine jewelry can be a tough decision. Gold jewelry is an item you'll cherish for many years to come - maybe even a lifetime! So, you'll want to make a wise choice. Here are some quick do's and don'ts to remember when buying gold jewelry. Do Buy Gold Jewelry from a Company You Trust When you want fine jewelry, choose a company or Web store that specializes in fine jewelry. Don't expect to find the best of jewelry at a company that offers everything including the kitchen sink! A specialist can assist you personally and provide a wider variety of gold jewelry. When searching online, be specific in your searches, and do research on the company before making a purchase. Check to see if the company is affiliated with a professional trade association such as the Jewelers of America (JA) or the online Better Business Bureau. Do Look for Guarantees or Warranties Before buying gold jewelry from a company (online or offline), get a detailed explanation of their return policy in case the jewelry is not what you expected or has a defect. Some will offer manufacturer's warranties as well. Do Shop for Quality, not Just Discounted Prices It's tempting to buy fine jewelry at a discount to get a great bargain. But, what are you really getting? With gold jewelry, for example, find the karat or quality mark on the actual jewelry to see if it's real gold or not. And remember, the karats are an indication of what percentage of gold is in the jewelry piece. 24K is pure gold, 18K is 75 percent gold, 14K is 58.3 percent gold, and 10K is 41.6 percent gold. So, what is the other percentage? It is usually made up of alloy, or different metals that add form and strength to the jewelry item. Don't be Hasty Look around at several gold jewelry pieces before making a decision. Consider the price of the jewelry as well. Ask about these factors to determine if the fine jewelry is worth its price: karat weight, total weight, engravings, design, look and feel, ornamental detail, and the finish. Don't Buy from Suspicious Companies or Persons If you have an uneasy feeling about buying fine jewelry from a particular person or company, don't do it. The jewelry could be stolen or fake. Either way, you'll lose in the long run. Always choose a reputable company that specializes in fine jewelry and/or gold jewelry. Don't Forget the Clasp and Measurements If buying for others, find out what size gold jewelry they wear, such as ring size, neck size, wrist size, or ankle size. Whether it's gold necklaces, gold earrings, gold bracelets, gold bangles, or other types of jewelry, you'll need to know the size and style that fits you or your loved one. Also, examine the clasp to be sure it's easy to attach and of good quality. Use these tips as a starting point to get the gold jewelry you need. The right gold jewelry piece can be worn for a lifetime!

Titanium wedding rings wave of the future

Amongst all of the traditions we use in matrimonial ceremonies and celebrations, none is more familiar or meaningful than the wedding ring. The time honored tradition of couples wearing bands to signify their unyielding love and devotion for one another goes back perhaps farther than recorded history. In modern tradition, the wedding ring is typically a band of 18 karat gold, but that tradition has changed in recent years. Today there are many more designs in wedding rings available than there were even as recently as when your parents were married. The traditional plain gold bands are still available, of course, but so are more intricate and ornate designs, as well as bands made of white gold, platinum, and a popular new choice: titanium. In fact, titanium wedding rings are getting more and more popular and there are several reasons for this phenomenon. Most certainly a part of the reason for the steady increase in the use of titanium wedding rings is the price. Titanium wedding rings cost considerably less than gold or platinum rings but are every bit as beautiful. A titanium wedding ring can cost hundreds of dollars less than comparable rings made of the other precious metals. This is an important consideration for many couples who, due to budgetary limitations, may have had to buy the poorest quality gold rings or do without wedding rings entirely. Titanium rings are a good choice for the budget conscious. Titanium wedding rings are also more durable than the traditional gold rings. Titanium becomes scratched less easily than gold and can stand up to more of the wear and tear that can result from a person wearing the ring all the time. This is especially true of the men’s rings as men tend to be much harder on their wedding rings than women are. Titanium is more resistive to heat and cold and extreme pressure than gold or platinum are. Think about it. Titanium is used in the space shuttle. It is an alloy that can take a beating. Titanium is a very smooth alloy as well. Due to this, titanium wedding rings tend to be very comfortable and there is less chance of skin irritation. Also, there are some people who, due to an allergic reaction, can not wear gold jewelry at all. In the past the only option for them has been the far more costly platinum rings. Now titanium wedding rings are a viable alternative for these people. When it comes time for you to choose wedding rings for yourself and your intended spouse, you may want to look into titanium. Many jewelers as well as online marketers carry an impressive array of titanium wedding rings that are every bit as lovely as their more traditional gold, white gold, and platinum counterparts. In an aspect of life that is full of tradition and similarity all through history, it’s nice that there are now more choices available. Titanium wedding rings are now just one more of those choices that may be right for you.

Top performing blue angels citizen titanium watch

The Citizen Blue Angels titanium watch is a technologically advanced pilot timepiece designed in honor of the Blue Angels legendary precision flying team of the U. S. Navy. The Blue Angels, first commissioned to perform in 1946, are now stationed at Forrest Sherman Field at Naval Air Station Pensacola Florida. To date they have performed for more than 400 million military and civilians. Part of the Citizen Skyhawk eco-drive watch line, this watch is an angel in its own right. It sports the blue and yellow Blue Angels colors, and their banner including the logo of the Blue Angel squadron on the back of the watchcase. The hour markers and the hands are illuminated on the deep blue face of the dial. It has three subdials and a beautiful blue bi-functional slide rule bezel. This Citizen Blue Angels watch is made of titanium - lighter and stronger than stainless steel. This memorable pilot watch has a four year power reserve, a 30 city, 22 time zone calendar and time, three alarms, a countdown timer up to 99 minute duration, and accuracy of 1/100th of a second each 24 hours. With this Citizen Blue Angels titanium watch you can choose analog or digital time, changing it at the easy touch of one button. Your pilot watch will advise you when it's time to reset time, and when your battery charge is low. Water resistant to 330 feet, it also has a safety clasp feature with an easy push button release. The Citizen Skyhawk titanium has a great five-year warranty, for a watch Citizen watches are famous. These pilot watches retail for a little over $500.