South Sea Shell Pearls

One of my favorite discoveries this past year has to be the South Sea Shell Pearl. They are not to be confused with South Sea Pearls such as the Tahitian Pearl. South Sea Pearls are natural Pearls and because of their size and color are very expensive. The South Sea Shell Pearl is a wonderful alternative because of their quality and price, even though they are man made. I generally shy away from simulated Gemstones, but I have made a couple of exceptions and the Shell Pearls are one of them.

South Sea Shell Pearls are hand crafted from the shells of South Ocean pearl oysters and polished to a high luster. Natural South Sea or Tahitian pearls of this size and grade could cost up to $15,000.00 each, but these simulated Pearls look virtually identical, at a mere fraction of the price! Subtle variations in shape on each pearl, the gorgeous natural looking colors, and the heavy weight of the pearls contribute to the overall impression of natural South Sea Pearls. These Shell Pearls are starting to top the latest trends in fashion jewelry.

The process of making a Shell Pearl involves several different stages. The raw material for the base of the pearl is the sea shell, which is coated and polished to the final shape of the pearl. This element adds weight, value and durability to the pearl. In fact, the materials used in order to make shell pearls are the same materials from which cultured pearls are made. For South Sea Shell Pearls, a substance usually made of pulverized Mother of Pearl is applied to the base, allowed to dry, drilled, and then sold. The more layers there are, the more expensive the simulated Pearl.

Shell Pearls are a better choice for many reasons. The first is their price. That was the single most important reason why South Sea Shell Pearls were developed in Barcelona, Spain so many years ago. Majorca Pearls fall into the shell based category. The prices vary and some Shell Pearls are more expensive as a result of their excellent quality, but comparatively speaking Shell Pearls are still much easier and less expensive to buy.

The second reason is the quality of the South Sea Shell Pearl. Because the process is controlled by people rather than nature, it can be perfectly round with perfect luster, while the rarity of the Cultured Pearl not only makes it expensive, but also makes it hard to find with a perfect shape and size. The manual production of the Shell Pearl enables the manufacturer to determine the shape, size, and color of the pearl, thus making the final result seem perfect.

The modern technology of pearl production can also assure its durability. The Shell Pearl will always keep its shine and color, and will not be affected by sweat, perfume or detergents. The pearl in its marketing form is a result of a long process of shaping and coating, and intensive quality control inspection. Another reason for purchasing this product is the possibility of controlling its shape and color.

Although these Sea Shell Pearls are not genuine Pearls, they are in high demand by large numbers of consumers for their stunning similarity to that of the most expensive fine Pearls.



Multi-colored Pearl Necklace.

Beautiful White Pearl Necklace.

The Mystique of Ocean Jasper

Jasper is a mineral gemstone, which is an opaque, impure variety of quartz that is usually red, yellow or brown in color. Make no mistake though, these impurities create the most marvelous color and patterns in the stone and can make for stunning gemstone jewelry. Jasper exhibits one or more types of patterns or variations established during the time it was formed. Jasper may be filled with dendritic minerals providing the appearance of vegetative growths. Dendritic just means a multi-branching, tree-like form. The Jasper may have been fractured and/or distorted after formation, later re-bonding into discontinuous patterns or filling with another material.

Ocean Jasper is a newcomer to the Jewelry World. It’s been on the scene for approximately 6 years. Ocean Jasper is also known as Orbicular or Orbital Jasper based on the many small spheres or "orbs" in its matrix, which appear as circles or eyes on cut sections. Ocean Jasper is a rare mineral, mined in only one place in the world, the Mine of Marovato, in the northwest corner of Madagascar. Each piece is an original, no two slices are ever alike, and they even change dramatically from front to back. Ocean Jasper is actually a combination of different materials, quartz, agate, some trace metals, and the beautiful orbs and different colors of jasper are in a huge variety of mind-boggling patterns and colors. The supply is extremely limited because of access, deposit size and location.

I’ve fallen in love with this fabulous stone. Each specimen is like a little piece of the Universe. The patterns in the stone remind me of galaxies and star clusters with the whirling of color and design. I get great pleasure from working with this semi-precious stone and it’s a rare treat to own a piece of Ocean Jasper.