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Having explained the cause of the orient and water of pearls, the color must next be considered. Pearls may be had of almost any color, but the majority of fine pearls are white, or nearly so. The fine Oriental pearls frequently have a creamy tint. Among fresh water pearls the creamy tint is less often seen, but fine pink tints occur. Occasionally a black pearl is found and on account of its rarity commands a price nearly as great as that obtainable for a white pearl of similar size and quality.
The value of pearls depends upon several different factors and it is far from an easy matter to estimate the value of a fine specimen. It is much easier to grade and estimate the value of diamonds than to do the same for pearls, and it is only by long and intimate acquaintance with the pearls themselves that one can hope to become expert in deciding values. There are, however, several general factors that govern the value of pearls. Chief among these are: 1, Orient; 2, Color; 3, Texture or Skin; 4, Shape and Size.
Factors Governing the Value of Pearls. Taking up each of these factors in turn, it may be said of the first that unless a pearl has that fine keen luster known as a fine orient, it is of but limited value. No matter what the size, or how perfect the shape, it is nothing, if dead and lusterless. To have great value the gem must gleam with that soft but lively luster peculiar to fine specimens of pearl. With variations in orient go wide variations in value.
As to color, the choicest pearls are pure white or delicate rose pink or creamy white. Pearls in these shades can be had in numbers and these colors are what might be called regular colors. Fancy colored pearls have peculiar and irregular values, depending a good deal upon rarity and upon the obtaining of a customer for an odd color. Fine pink and fine black pearls are examples of the type that is meant here.
To be very valuable a pearl must have a smooth even skin, that is, the texture of its surface must be even and regular. It must not have pits or scratches or wrinkles, or little raised spots upon it, or any cracks in it. In connection with this topic of "skin," it may be mentioned that it is sometimes true that a pearl of bad skin or of poor luster may be improved markedly by "peeling" it, as the process is called. As was said above, a pearl is built in layers much like an onion, and it can often be peeled, that is, one or more layers can be removed, thus exposing fresh layers beneath, whose texture and luster may be better than those of the original outside layer. |
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Precious Stones Guide Vol 7
>> The Coloring of Pearls
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