The Classics

The Classics Revisited

Is there anything that is really considered classic in jewellery?

Maybe  are there no real classics, just the style of the day?  A la Mode?

I have been staying in a lot during these cold, dark short snowy winter days.  Hibernating and watching movies and award shows

Turner Classic Movies are such an inspiration.  Hollywood Glam.  Netflicks' The Crown shows Queen Elizabeth coming to age.  Royalty.  BlockBusters - The New Hollywood -

When I think about the classics I think about pearls.  Long before the discovery of diamonds and platinum pearls were the most valued gem in the world.

According to the Cultured Pearl Association of America Inc.  Ulster, Size, Shape, Colour, Nacre Thickness and Surface Quality are the factors that determine the value of the pearl.

I would also add in to this the variety of Pearl/Origin Salt Water - VS Fresh Water Pearls. Virtually all pearls today are cultured.

What does this mean?  Man introduces a seed or a bead usually round into a a BiValue mollusk.  The bivalve forms a coating around the bead called a Nacre.  In a natural pearl, a pieces of sand or debris enters the bivalve naturally and the nacre is formed.  This does not happen very often so, seed are planted in the oysters.

Natural Pearls Value:  Cartier purchased his building on Fifth Avenue in NYC with two  matching natural pearls.

While single, double and triple strand pearls are still the ultimate in classic jewellery,

pearls incorporated into contemporary designs offer the best of both worlds.

This series will continue to talk about choosing a classic strand of pearls worth of handing down to future generations.