How to Choose Fine Pearls

Written by Amanda Raab


Pearls are very alluring and hold a quality that both defines elegance and natural beauty. There are more varieties and availability of pearls today than ever before. The “cultured pearl” now rivals with fine diamonds, sapphires, emeralds, and rubies. Today most pearls are cultured, meaning thatrepparttar mollusk is purposely inserted with an irritant or “nucleus” from which it creates a pearl. A better way to think ofrepparttar 101702 difference between natural pearls and cultured pearls is to think ofrepparttar 101703 natural pearl as a result ofrepparttar 101704 mollusk working alone andrepparttar 101705 cultured pearls as a product of nature being helped by science. Cultured pearls are not “fake” like many people may think. The culturing process takes from two to three years and is a very delicate process. The pearl farmers have little control on whatrepparttar 101706 outcome ofrepparttar 101707 pearl will look like or ifrepparttar 101708 mollusk will rejectrepparttar 101709 nucleus. Not all pearls are fine quality or even desirable at all. The end result is ultimately a consequence of nature. Choosing pearls that are ofrepparttar 101710 best quality are determined by luster, nacre thickness and quality (the outer layer), color, surface perfection, shape, and size. The biggest factor of pearl quality is nacre thickness and quality which determines how longrepparttar 101711 pearl will last. Nacre thickness determinesrepparttar 101712 longevity ofrepparttar 101713 pearl and nacre quality determines how light reflects throughrepparttar 101714 layers ofrepparttar 101715 pearls. High luster and iridescence come from high quality nacre and any pearl with these characteristics has quality, thick nacre. When judging nacre look for uniform iridescence, intensity of luster, cracks and peeling, estimate thickness nearrepparttar 101716 drill hole betweenrepparttar 101717 nacre andrepparttar 101718 shell bead (nacre is lighter). Pearls are very thick with at least .5 mm on all pearls, thick with at least.5mm on most pearls, medium with between .35 and .5 mm on most pearls, and thin with .25 mm or less on most pearls. Luster is also important and one ofrepparttar 101719 first factors to notice. Luster is an intense brightness that illuminates from withinrepparttar 101720 pearl rather than just being “shiny” like in imitation pearls. The intense brightness results from light being reflected throughoutrepparttar 101721 numerous layers of nacre. Quality pearls will have a sharp contrast betweenrepparttar 101722 brightest area where direct light is hittingrepparttar 101723 pearls andrepparttar 101724 shaded area creating an illusion of a “ball withinrepparttar 101725 pearl.” Check for luster by examining them under a fluorescent lamp and rolling them from side to side to examine uniform luster. Examine pearls over a light gray or white material and never black because it is harder to seerepparttar 101726 true quality ofrepparttar 101727 pearl. Pearl color is also important. When choosing pearls note there body color and overtones. The most desirable and more rare white pearls have “rose” colored overtones. Cream colored pearls are more affordable because they are less rare. Also, pearls can have tones rated in intensity. Darker toned pearls are more desirable and expensive compared to lighter toned pearls. Many natural body colors are available in pearls including white, black, gray, blue, gold, pink, and green. Distinctive colored pearls are rarer and harder to find. Have a qualified gemologist checkrepparttar 101728 pearls to make sure they have not been dyed, especially for costlier pearls likerepparttar 101729 black or golden varieties.

Getting an exciting life after a break up

Written by Caroline Therancy


Breaking up.

The End. The journey is over. You feel rejected. Hopeless. You don’t want to go back inrepparttar jungle again. You may even have that dread feeling of failure.

Suddenly, allrepparttar 101701 love songs atrepparttar 101702 radio seemed to have been written for you. You want to stay in bed. Shut allrepparttar 101703 doors andrepparttar 101704 windows. Bringrepparttar 101705 kids to your relatives for a while. You don’t feel like talking to anybody now. You swear to yourself that you will never get involved with someone again, half believing it.

Life is much more exciting than that. Besides, you are notrepparttar 101706 last and only person experiencing a separation. And, it might not be your last breakup either. Withrepparttar 101707 proper mental tools, break ups could be less painful.

Breaking up, I prefer to call it an opportunity for a change of habits. It’s like having an addiction and you need to cut yourself from it. It’s painful but necessary. The good news about it is that it doesn’t need to be Hell on Earth. There are effective ways to go through this process with smooth sailing.

First, you absolutely need to stop thinking ofrepparttar 101708 great moments that you had together. Chances are that those moments happened a long time ago, not to mention, not that often either. Keep in mindrepparttar 101709 reasons of your break up, until your mind is in sync with your heart. And don’t keep in touch with that person for now, if you can. Or reducerepparttar 101710 frequency of contacts at its bare minimum.

Write a letter

You need to letrepparttar 101711 emotions out. Write everything that frustrates you, made you angry, sad, etc… You don’t necessarily need to send it to your previous partner but at least, this is a proven healing process for you to calmrepparttar 101712 storm inside. You can choose to keep it somewhere to read for yourself later, whenrepparttar 101713 healing process will be over. You might discover some strength that you are not aware about you.

Make new friends.

You need to socialize morerepparttar 101714 ever. How do you do that? Go to fairs, reading clubs, sports clubs, art clubs, etc… ask questions, make conversations, and exchange phone numbers with people to do activities and keep in touch. Offer to help with something. Friends come fast like that. Don’t jump into another relationship to avoid facing your feelings of emptiness. Chances are that there will be other disappointments. You need to finishrepparttar 101715 process of unblocking all of your emotions to freely open your heart again to someone else, and increaserepparttar 101716 chances of success.

Pamper yourself. Treat yourself.

Take naps inrepparttar 101717 Sun. Get a pedicure. A great massage. Readrepparttar 101718 bible. Read inspiring texts that will give you strength ( Likerepparttar 101719 book “Chicken soup for Soul”). Go jogging. Do someYoga. Listen to Jazz music. Eat well. Go pick apples withrepparttar 101720 kids. You know what I mean; do allrepparttar 101721 activities that help put your soul to calm.

Stay away from unsupportive people

Neutralized your mind and heart from some comments of your family and friends. I am sure that they really want your good. But they maybe are a little bit …. “clumsy” inrepparttar 101722 way they express their caring for you “ When are you goingrepparttar 101723 get married? You can’t go from people to people like that! You are getting old, you know?” or “ There are other people you know; 1 lost, 10 found!” (I hate that one). Hang out with people who are taking your mind off things, who understands and gives yourepparttar 101724 support that you need. I remember reading this about hardships that “ It is not only time that healsrepparttar 101725 heart, but also allrepparttar 101726 warmth and love around us.”

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