Sustainable Pearl Farming: Raising Baby Oysters

In the early days of pearl farming, oysters or molluscs were simply collected from the oceans which pearl farmers then used to nucleate in order to grow pearls.

As you can imagine, a practice like this is not sustainable. While some pearl farmers still use this method, many farmers now bread their own molluscs.

Fertilization And Oyster Larvae

The first step is to collect eggs and sperm from high-quality molluscs. This is done by placing both male and female molluscs into a water tank. The water temperature will be raised slightly, which will cause the molluscs to spawn. Adult females can release between 5-8 million eggs at one time, but most of these never grow into baby molluscs.

The adult molluscs need to be taken out of the water within an hour, otherwise, they’ll ‘eat’ their own spawn. Molluscs eat by sucking water in through their gills, and if the sperm and eggs are in the water, these will also pass through their gills.

It takes about 24 hours for the sperm to fertilize the eggs and create larvae, also called spats. The larvae are so small that you can’t see it with the naked eye.

The larvae will float freely in the water until they are a few weeks old. At this time, the larvae would attach itself to a rock in the wild, so to mimic this, the farmers will provide freshwater pearl necklace from Timeless Pearl collectors for the larvae to attach to.

The larvae take a few months to develop into baby molluscs.

Growing Baby Oysters

Once the larvae developed into baby molluscs, they are then moved into a ‘nursery’. The babies are fed a special plankton mix to maximize their growth and water conditions are controlled to keep them healthy.

It takes about six months for the molluscs to develop hard shells, and between 1.5 and 2 years to grow large enough to be nucleated.

Ready For Nucleation

Now that the babies are all grown up, they’re ready for the next step: Nucleation.

If you’d like to learn more about nucleation and the pearl farming process, you can read all about it in this blog.

Also, check out this blog about the relationship between pearls and the environment and why pearls are the only sustainable gem on earth.

At Timeless Pearl we only partner with pearl suppliers and farmers who take sustainable farming practices seriously, and we’re thrilled to share these beautiful gems with you.

Blog Resources:https://www.timelesspearl.com/sustainable-pearl-farming-raising-baby-oysters/

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Top Fall Trends for 2018: There’s Something for Every Taste

‘Tis the season of pumpkin spice lattes, fresh air and rosy cheeks, crunchy leaves beneath your feet, and vibrant autumn colors all around. It’s one of our favorite seasons, and we love to revamp our wardrobe – just like the trees around us.

Here are some of our favorite fall trends, with pearl jewelry suggestions to spice up your new look.

The 80s Are Back

Big shoulders, neon colors, and animal prints mixed with colorful patterns were all the rage on the runway. To our delight, designers like Tom Ford, Balenciaga, and Marc Jacobs experimented with an updated 80s look.

Pair your outfit with this playful Elegant Mickey Mouse Pearl Necklace or this bright, neon-colored Rosa Pearl Brooch.

A Nod To Our Pioneer Ancestors

Whether your style is hard-core western badass or sweet, innocent prairie girl, you’ll be in this season. Think browns and whites, leather and fringe. Designers like Calvin Klein, Dries Van Noten, and Coach brought the best from our pionerial ancestors to life.

Elevate your look with modern, but complimentary pearl jewelry, like this simple Black and Gold Leather Pearl Bracelet or this prairie-like Golden Flower of Life Adjustable Pearl Tassel Necklace.

Sparkle, Sparkle, Sparkle

The catwalk couldn’t sparkle enough this season. Double and triple up on the shine factor with layering glimmering fabrics, sequence, and even chainmail if you dare. Designers like Paco Rabanne, Alberta Ferretti, and Palomo amped up the shine-factor on the runway this year.

Add more glitter to your sparkly outfit with this Super Star Real Pearl Necklace from Timeless Pearl or these Frozen Queen Snowflake Pearl Earrings.

Faux Fur Is No Fashion Faux Pas

Think big, soft and huggable. Apart from being in fashion, you can feel warm and comfortable this fall. Designers Givenchy, Giorgio Armani, and Nina Ricci showed us how big faux fur jackets can become a staple piece in your wardrobe.

Pair your outfit with these fluffy Ball Drop Pearl Earrings or add some warmth and energy with this vibrant Maple Leaf Pearl Brooch.

Protect Your Crown

Keep warm and fashionable with headwear this fall. 40s and 50s-styled head wraps, balaclavas, and even masks made an appearance on the runway, led by designers like Christian Dior, Chanel, and Versace.

Embellish your headwear with this Victoria Amazonica Pearl Brooch, or gently hold your head wrap in place with this charming Edison Purple Pearl Hair Pin.

 Timeless And Practical Are In

Sometimes, you just want an outfit that is elegant, reflects your personal style, and which are not bound by seasonal trends. Designers Valentino, Alexander McQueen, and Altuzarra agree.

Round off your outfit with this elegant Starry Night Pearl Necklace or this timeless Classic Pearl Bracelet.

Blog Resources:https://www.timelesspearl.com/top-fall-trends-for-2018-theres-something-for-every-taste/

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Pearls throughout the Decades: The ‘20s until Now

Fashion took a turn in the 1920s. The likes of Coco Chanel changed the way women dressed forever, including the types of jewelry that became popular. Pearls also became more accessible as Japanese cultured pearls were introduced to the market around 1928.

Let’s have a look at some of the pearl highlights for each decade.

PEARLS IN THE 1920S

During the Jazz Age, costume jewelry became fashionable – a departure from the fine jewelry popular up to now. A single strand of pearls was all it took to adorn an LBD or flapper-style dress and bring out your free spirit. 

Style icons: Coco Chanel and Josephine Baker

PEARLS IN THE 1930S

Because of the Great Depression and, in the latter half of the decade, the start of the golden age of Hollywood, cheap yet glamorous jewelry became popular. More people became interested in fashion, and of course, pearls. Movie stars have set the trends and Real pearl necklaces from Timeless Pearl became shorter and bulkier with several strands instead of just one.

Style icons: Katherine Hepburn and Marlene Dietrich

PEARLS IN THE 1940S

During the war, there was a restriction on the amount of fabric that can be used in garments and women took the place of men in factories. Daytime clothes were simple and cheap costume jewellery was often the only feminine detail that they could afford.

After the war, surrealism became popular in art, which filtered through to fashion. Designers and artists started to have more fun and created playful jewelry. Salvador Dali designed a brooch with rubies for lips and pearls for teeth, while Alfred Philippe designed jewelry portraying animal figures, called Jelly Bellies.

Style icons: Ava Gardner and Doris Day

PEARLS IN THE 1950S

During the 1950’s, elegance, innocence, and femininity became favored. Jewelry designs were simple and understated – a single strand of pearls or pearl stud earrings were all it took to add a touch of elegance.

Style Icons: Grace Kelly and Jackie Kennedy

PEARLS IN THE 1960S

The swinging sixties saw the rise of super-wealthy celebrities with more money than the royals and fashionistas everywhere rebelled against the traditional signs of status. The decade’s fashion started with bright and fake beads, and ended with expensive and status-worthy pieces, like Elizabeth Taylor’s La Peregrina.

Style Icons: Audrey Hepburn and Brigitte Bardot

PEARLS IN THE 1970S

The hippy-culture of the seventies shunned anything fake, extravagant, and practices hurting the environment just to adorn oneself. Ethnic jewelry and sustainable materials became popular, and together with gold and diamonds, pearls took a backseat in fashion. Luckily, the pearl culturing industry came a long way since to promote sustainable farming practices.

Style icons: Farrah Fawcett and Diane Von Furstenberg

PEARLS IN THE 1980S

One of the most experimental decades in fashion history, the 80s was all about big hair, bright colors, and bold personalities like Cyndi Lauper. But, on the other end of the spectrum, beloved, down-to-earth Princes Diana made pearls popular again. Long ropes of pearls – and imitation pearls – were layered and often with the ends tied in knots.

Style icons: Princess Diana and Brooke Shields

PEARLS’ PLACE IN FASHION TODAY

Whether you like classy and understated jewelry, or bold and colorful – you’re in fashion. The greatest thing about fashion today is that anything goes. You have the freedom to choose what you love and you can develop your own style.

There is a wide variety of jewellery styles available to choose from – and our online pearl jewelry shop is no different. Browse our products to find the perfect pieces for your taste.

Blog Resources:https://www.timelesspearl.com/pearls-throughout-the-decades-the-20s-until-now/

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Pearl Jewelry for the Contemporary Art Lover

Do you secretly spend your bucks on prints of your favorite artist? Or perhaps your favorite hangout is an art exhibition on a Friday night and you don’t own a house, but you do own an original painting that hangs against your rented wall? Whatever you do, don’t make the mistake of thinking pearl jewelry is old-fashioned or even classic. Because while it can be both those things, pearls are also known for their incredible versatility when accessorizing. With the right design, pearls can say ‘Eclectic’ and ‘Modern’ as much as any other brass and bright colored geometric shapes can.

Contemporary art is any art produced in the second half of the 20th century and after. It encompasses both modern and post-modern art, and while the one defining characteristic is that there is nothing much that holds it together in theme, it’s also true that there are some masters of the movement who can be recognized by a few things. These are, firstly, a no-care attitude towards the viewer. 

Have a look at these contemporary art inspired pieces on Cultured pearls TimelessPearl:

Bold Black Shapes In All Forms – Anything Goes, Right?

 Let The Circles And Colors Inspire You.

So, back to pearl jewelry. Bold primary colors? Check. Geometric shapes? Check. Child-like pictures and images sold to adults (because we can do what we like, right?) Check. Eclectic combinations that don’t always make sense or look like they belong together? Check.

Cartoons? No People, It’s Art.

Contemporary art says ‘I don’t care what you think or expect of me, I’m doing what I want.’ Secondly, some of the early masters were known to use a lot of bold, primary colors paired with geometric shapes. 

And thirdly, recognizable characters, which previously would not have been seen as art, isnow raised to art status: cartoons, famous actresses, cute drawings – everything goes.  

Blue Is All You Need.

Blog Resources:https://www.timelesspearl.com/pearl-jewelry-for-the-contemporary-art-lover/

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White Pearl Myths – Debunked!

If you have a string of white heirloom pearls in your family, you’ve probably heard a few of these myths. Here are some of the myths, legends and beliefs associated with white pearls – and the real story behind them!

Myths About Their Origin, Color And Value

Ocean Pearls Are White And Freshwater Pearls Are Different Colors

Not true at all – in fact, where a pearl is cultured (in the ocean or in freshwater) plays no role in the shape or color it takes. It’s the type of oyster that determines the color – and white pearls can be cultured or natural, freshwater or saltwater pearls.

White Pearls Are ‘Pure’ And Colored Pearls Are ‘Fake’

In some cases, pearls are dyed or bleached to get a certain hue. But pearls do naturally occur in a range of colors, from lavender and champagne to pink and black. These colors are determined by the color of the lip of the oyster that the pearl is formed in, as well as naturally occurring pigments inside the oyster shells. This means that a violet Edison pearl is just as ‘pure’ or real, with no colorants, as a naturally white pearl.

White Pearls Are the Most Expensive

In fact, white pearls are the most common and therefore colored pearls are usually more expensive. But color is not the only thing that determines the price – how a pearl is grown, naturally or cultured, and what the quality of the pearl is, are bigger factors. A natural white pearl would be more expensive, a Cultured pearls from Timeless Pearl.

Historical And Societal Myths And Beliefs

White Pearls Symbolize Purity And Chastity

While pearls in the Roman empire used to be worn to symbolize purity, chastity and the Virgin Mary, they have increasingly become a sign of wealth. Today they are more a sign of material wealth, possessions, your status in society, authority and even fame, than anything else. Women and even men of all ages can be seen wearing pearls – flaunting their status as pop stars, wealthy businessmen and women, models, mothers or brides. The truth is that you can interpret the different symbols associated with a white pearl in any way you choose – and there are many!  

 Pearls Are The Tears Of Gods

Because Venus was believed to be born from the ocean like pearls, they were often associated with her astrologically. But they’ve also been said to be the tears of the gods because of their shape, color, rarity and their association with purity, holiness, fertility and innocence. The last two mentioned are also qualities associated with Venus.   

White Pearls And The Moon

Because pearls come from the ocean and are similar in shape and color to the moon, they’ve been called the daughter of the moon, or moon ‘drops’.

Pearls Are The Result Of A Rainbow Meeting The Earth Or Ocean After A Storm

One of the most beautiful myths about pearls is a Persian legend that says that pearls are the offspring of wild weather patterns, made when a rainbow meets the earth after a storm. Lighting and thunder were believed to be responsible for any imperfections on the pearl.

Today we know how pearls are really formed, but wouldn’t it be nice if this was true?

Blog Resources:https://www.timelesspearl.com/white-pearl-myths-debunked/

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Summer Wedding Inspiration: Jewelry and Color Choices

Choosing the right color and theme that match your personality is key to having your dream wedding. When planning your big day, you have many choices to make about what to wear, how to decorate, who to invite, and which songs to add or to cut from your playlist. But before you choose these things, you need to get the mood right. Here are seven inspiring mood boards, complete with jewelry suggestions for yourself and your entourage.

Retro Queen

Create a modern retro ambiance with a luxe color palette and an unusual venue with lots of character, like a downtown rooftop, botanical garden, historical site, or an old converted warehouse. Keep the decorations minimalistic, but blow life into the party with light strings and a live jazz band.

Our Color Suggestions:

White, black, hot pink, and silver.

Our Jewelry Suggestions:

• Bow Tie Pearl Brooch  
• Golden Crown Edison Pearl Earrings
• Blooming Rose Diamond Pearl Brooch/Necklace  

Rustic Charm

Elegant but charming, a barn wedding speaks of nostalgia and romance. Earthy colors, violin music, good wine, and a homely menu will create the right ambiance. If you can’t find a barn venue, a wine cellar will make a great alternative.

Our Color Suggestions:

Copper, brown, white, and a touch of green and pink.

Our Jewelry Suggestions:

• Empress Pearl Necklace
• Golden Signature Southsea Pearl Earrings  
• Golden Leaf Bronze Pearl Bracelets online from Timeless Pearl

Cotton-Candy Glamour

Who thought that the words fun and elegance could be used in the same sentence? This palette’s cool hues are youthful but sophisticated – the perfect combination for a summer celebration. Avoid stuffy decorations and rather opt for DIY cupcakes and simple bouquets. A beach or garden will make the perfect wedding venue for this theme.

Our Color Suggestions:

Turquoise, lavender, light teal, and old gold.

Our Jewelry Suggestions:

• Dancing Girl Pearl Brooch/Pendant
• Mystery Queen Purple Pearl Ring  
• Edison Pearl Purple Hairpin

Bohemian Forest

A forest venue adds new meaning to the phrase ‘fairy-tale wedding’. If you’re lucky enough to celebrate your big day close to nature, make sure you take advantage of the beautiful landscape – keep your palette neutral and your decorations effortless to blend into the surroundings, but add bits of color with flowers. Strings of lights and candles add to the romance. Who knows, you might spot a fairy in the background while dancing in the arms of your beloved!

Our Color Suggestions:

Forest green, mint green, and cherry red.

Our Jewelry Suggestions:

• Golden Baroque Pearl Necklace & Bracelet Set
• Snowflake Queen Golden Pearl Earrings  
• White Cherry Blossom Pearl Pin

Playful Spirit

Bright colors against a fresh, white background are perfect if you don’t take yourself too seriously. Have fun with decorations and wedding favors to create a festive feel. Think out of the box when choosing a venue, like a carnival, circus, or drive-in.

Our Color Suggestions:

Bright blue, flamingo pink, fresh green, and white.

Our Jewelry Suggestions:

• Butterflies In Love Pearl Necklace
• Purple Wave Pearl Ring
• Magic Purple Pearl Pin

Fresh Elegance

Light up an elegant blue-and-white palette with bits of bright green. Minimalist decorations, glass, and silverware keep the theme elegant and classy. This choice is perfect for evening weddings.

Our Color Suggestions:

White, indigo blue, powder blue, with pops of lime green.

Our Jewelry Suggestions:

• Simple Elegance Pearl Necklace & Earrings Set
• Magic Drops Pearls Earrings
• Sacred Love Pearl Bracelet

Vibrant Color

Nothing brightens up a hot summer’s day like bold and bright colors. Draw inspiration from your local summer flowers when creating your wedding palette. Vibrant, multicolored bouquets, colored jewelry, shoes, wedding favors and delicacies will imbue happiness, joy, and bliss.    

Our Color Suggestions:

Sunbeam yellow, light teal, scarlet red, and lavender.

Our Jewelry Suggestions:

• Four-Leaf Clover Pearl Jewelry Set
• Blue Lady Pearl Earrings
• Three Strands Pearl Bracelet

Have you created your own palette and theme to suit your personality and ideal venue? We have many more designs that you’ll love.There are much more where this comes from. Browse our shopto find the perfect jewelry for your perfect day.

Blog Resources:https://www.timelesspearl.com/summer-wedding-inspiration-jewelry-color-choices/

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