How Pink Pearls Get Their Color
Pink pearls start out the same as any other cultured pearl - by taking a mollusk and injecting some sort of irritant.
The mollusk covers the irritant in a protective coating called nacre which it secretes layer upon layer. These layers of nacre are what give the pearl it's pearly luminescent coating and beauty. Although some pearls can be naturally colored due to water conditions, most cultured pearls are white or off white when the are farmed.
But there is a large market for pink pearls as well as other colors so methods have been developed to dye the pearls to satisfy market demands. This is a common practice and most people realize that a colored pearl will most likely get that way through artificial means. What most people don't realize is that the white pearls are usually treated to enhance color as well.
When taken from the mollusk they may not have enough layers of nacre to cover the dark first layer so they are sometimes bleached to improve color. This is all part of pearl farming and perfectly acceptable.
Pink pearls can be used in a multitude of ways to create beautiful jewelry. Combined with pink crystals they can be delicate and feminine. Pink pearls are quickly becoming a favorite color along with gold pearls, black pearls and cream colored pearls. Like any other pearl they can be strung on necklaces of varying lengths. Some common pearl necklaces sizes are:
Choker - worn tight against the neck, about 15" long and goes with anything!
Princess - about 18", this necklace rests just below the hollow of your throat and is perfect for a high neckline.
Matinee - About 22", this can go with almost anything and hangs about halfway down the chest.
Opera - about 30" and hangs down to just below your chest. It can be doubled up or tied in a knot.
Rope - my favorite length this is over 45 " and hangs down to your waist. It can be doubled, tripled or even quadrupled to make a multi strand pearl necklace - depending on the size of your neck. This style is the classic flapper style that you might see tied in a knot.
Pink pearls require the same care as white ones - they are very susceptible to chemicals and can scratch easily. Store them in a felt or flannel bag separate from other jewelry. Always put your pearls on last so that they will not get sprayed with perfumes, hair spray or other chemicals. Clean by rubbing with a soft cloth.
Other Interesting Articles:
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How To Wear Choker Necklaces
Learn about the best way to wear this sleek style.
Turquoise Earrings
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Double Strand Bead Necklace
There's many styles and ways to wear this great accessory.
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This sexy style is versatile and long lived.
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