Pearl Education
RESOURCES
Web Links
American Museum of Natural History:Pearls
http://www.amnh.org/exhibitions/pearls/
The American Museum of Natural History in New York has an extensive and very interesting internet site. It goes from finding pearls to making them into beautiful pieces of jewellry. The site is one of the best I've seen.
Pearl Guide.com
Pearl Guide.com is a very informative interactive website for anyone interested in any aspect of pearls. It is worth the time to explore.
Wikipedia
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pearl
Very informative!
Books
Pearl World
This is a bimonthly newsletter on the international world of pearling.
The Pearl Book: The Definitive Buying Guide: How to Select, Buy, Care for & Enjoy Pearls by Antionette Leonard Matlins. Gemstone Prress, 1996.
Pearls by Fred Ward. Gem Book Publishers, 1998.
The Book of the Pearl: The History, Art, Science and Industry of the Queen of Gems by George Frederick Kunz and Charles Hugh Stevenson. Dover Publishers, 1993.
Ancient Gems
References to pearls can be found as one of the most sought gems in ancient times and were highly valued by rulers of ancient India and China. Pearls are even referenced in religious writings. The ancient Greeks were the first to consider the pearl a part of weddings, as they associated the gem with "love and purity".
Pearl Care
Gently wipe pearls with a soft cloth to remove body oils or dirt before storing them. Do NOT store pearls in airtight or dry places (like safety deposit boxes) because pearls need moisture and will crack if the environment is too dry. Keep pearls away from hairspray, perfume,, cosmetics, chlorine, vinegar and ammonia. Remove pearls before exercising as perspiration may eat holes in the pearl nacre. If pearls are worn often, restring them once a year.