Frequently Asked Questions
Q: WHAT ARE BAROQUE PEARLS
Baroque pearls are pearls which have irregular non-spherical or oddly shapes. Baroque pearls come in a variety of shapes from tiny to large, such as coin pearls, Keshi pearls, Biwa pearls aka Stick pearls, Cross pearl, Teardrop pearl etc. The most common type of Baroque pearls are freshwater pearls, because freshwater pearls are mantle-tissue nucleated instead of bead nucleated. Cultured saltwater pearls can also come in baroque, but tend to be more teardrop-shaped due to the use of a spherical nucleation bead.
Q: WHAT COMES WITH MY PURCHASE?
Inclusive of your AnnaSachs Purchase comes with our case, a cleaning cloth as well as a certificate of authenticity.
Q: WHAT DOES AA MEAN AND THE GRADING SYSTEM?
An AA grade pearl typically refers to a pearl that exhibits good-to-very-good luster, with a surface that may have some minor imperfections that are not easily noticeable. The shape of the pearl is mostly round or near-round, and the color is generally even throughout the surface of the pearl. Overall, AA grade pearls are considered to be of high quality but may have minor blemishes or irregularities when compared to higher grades such as AAA or gem quality.
Q: HOW TO TELL IF A PEARL IS REAL?
When two real pearls are rubbed against each other, there will be a rough feeling and pearl powder will be produced. If they are fake pearls, the process is smooth, and no powder is produced.
You can also rub the pearl against your front teeth. Real pearls will feel slightly gritty and rough. An imitation pearl will feel smooth and glasslike, that's because the imitations are almost made by plastic or glass.
Q: HOW TO CARE FOR YOUR CULTURED PEARLS?
Remember, cultured pearls are precious jewels and should be treated as such. Pearls and pearl jewelry should not be exposed to acid-alkali substances and high temperatures. They should also be kept from direct contact with chemical substances such as perfumes, hair spray, lotions, and minerals such as oil and salt. It is also advisable to periodically wear pearls to keep them from drying out. The body`s natural oils keeps pearls lustrous. Always remove pearl jewelry when bathing. If the pearl jewelry becomes contaminated with perspiration and dirt, use neutral cleaning detergents to wash them and then rinse with clean water. Use a soft cotton cloth for drying.
Q: WHAT ARE THE DIFFERENT TYPES OF PEARLS
Freshwater pearls
Freshwater pearls are grown in mussels living in fresh water, like ponds, rivers and lakes. Mussels are able to produce up to 20-30 pearls at a time. Freshwater pearls are well known for their wide range of shapes, sizes, and colors, and their attractive affordable prices. Freshwater pearl sizes typically range from 5mm to 10mm, though they are often available in larger or smaller sizes. In recent years, the quality of freshwater pearls has been greatly improved and produced cleaner, rounder and more lustrous beautiful pearls.
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Akoya Pearls
Akoya pearls are the world's best-known pearl and are treasured for their very round shape and high luster.They come from a small oyster known as the Pinctada fucata or akoya, located off the seas of Japan and China. They are found in sizes ranging from 4mm to 10mm in size. Akoya pearls are a timeless favorite in the pearl industry and are gorgeous bride wedding jewelry.
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Tahitian Pearls
Tahitian pearls are the only pearls in the world that are naturally black and are treasured for its incredibly exotic color and mirror-like luster. Tahitian pearls come in an array of colors, from silver to deep black, with shades of green, blue, and peacock, while ranging in size 8mm to 18mm".
White & Golden South Sea Pearls
White & Golden South Sea pearls are treasured for their classic color, exceptional sizes and brilliant satin luster. These valuable pearls are produced by the Pinctada Maxima oyster, along the coasts of Australia, Indonesia and Philippines. White South Sea Pearls are typically creamy white in color with a silver overtone, Golden South Sea Pearls often have a variation of shades of light to dark golden colors. Sizes vary between 9mm and 15mm.
Q: WHAT ARE THE PEARL SHAPES?
Pearls come in a variety of different shapes, since pearls are natural organic substances. There are four primary pearl shapes: round, semi-round, drop, baroque. Round Pearls-are perfectly spherical and are considered to be the most popular and valuable.
Semi-Round Shaped Pearls-have microscopic irregularities compared to perfectly round pearls that make them slightly less valuable.
Drop Shaped Pearls- They look almost like a teardrop or a drop of water shape.
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Baroque Shaped Pearls-are irregular in shape, with no two being exactly the same. They are completely asymmetrical compared to round pearls. Baroque pearls are cherished for their uniqueness.
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Besides the four primary shapes, Freshwater Pearls also have more different unique shapes:
Button shape-Button pearls are flattened to some degree, making them resemble a button rather than a perfect sphere.
Coin shape-these pearls are round and flat, like a coin.
Stick shape-these pearls are also known as BIWA pearls, and they are long, flat, and narrow, like a stick.
Cross shape-a very special type of baroque pearl, the pearl forms in the shape of a cross.
Keshi pearls-these pearls are one of baroque pearls and happen when the mollusk rejects the seed but continues to develop the pearl, so they do not have a center particle. They are elongated shape and lustrous.
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Potato pearls-These pearls are small and lumpy, like a potato.
Rice pearls-are sometimes known as oval pearls, since they resemble grains of rice.
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