Trinidad and Tobago Pearl Gold Diamond 2015 Fashion Jewellery 165

 Trinidad and Tobago Pearl Gold Diamond 2015 Fashion Jewellery. 

By Aamir Mannan.

Color of Akoya pearls

Akoya cultured pearls come in rose, silver/white, cream, gold, and blue/gray.

Quality Factor Five: Size

The size of a pearl is measured in millimeters, through its diameter. pearls can be smaller than 1 millimeter in size to as large as 20 millimeters and more. The average and most popular size sold today is 7 to 7-and-a-half millimeters. Though a pearl's size is not an indicator of its quality, it will determine its price. With all other quality factors being equal, the larger the pearl, the more valuable it is. The reason is simple: it's just more difficult to grow a large high-quality pearl. Therefore, pearls that are 7 millimeters and larger will always command higher prices. 

African New Fashion 2015 Girl Bridal Gold Jewellery 10015

African New Fashion 2015 Girl Bridal Gold Jewellery.

Aamir Mannan.

Each animal that belongs to the exotic wildlife of Africa has a place in African animal art, brought about by superstitions and cultural heritage. Every piece of crafted animal art, stand alone as outstanding sculptures, though each relates a different tale for different tribes. And gold wedding fashion Jewelry. 

Tonga Pearl Gold Diamond 2015 Fashion Jewellery 164

Tonga Pearl Gold Diamond 2015 Fashion Jewellery. 

By Aamir Mannan.

Shape of Akoya pearls

Akoya pearls are generally sold in the "round," "semi-round," "drop" and "baroque" shapes. They don't often appear as "buttons," "circles," or "ovals."

Quality Factor Four: Color

Saltwater cultured pearls display a fascinating array of colors, the entire spectrum, in fact: from white to black, and virtually ever color in between. It's important to note that no color is considered superior to another, and, as always, preferences are entirely up to a customer's taste. Yet, as a general note when making suggestions: rosé and silver/white pearls tend to look best on fair skins, while cream and gold-toned pearls are more flattering to darker complexions.

African Diamond New Girl Fashion 2015 Gold Jewellery 10013

African Diamond New Girl Fashion 2015 Gold Jewellery.

Aamir Mannan.

The elephant is revered throughout Africa. Many tribes believe that elephants are iconic with supreme political stature. Tribal chiefs and the elders of the village normally wear masks with distinct features such as huge ears, trunks and tusks. An ethnic group known as the Guerre-Wobe in Liberia fashion masks that combine human features with the powerful beak of the Hornbill. They are worn at village rituals to inspire cooperation on community works and to cast magical spells. 

African Diamond New Girl Fashion 2015 Gold Jewellery 10014

African Diamond New Girl Fashion 2015 Gold Jewellery.

Aamir Mannan.

Most tribes that dwell along the equator regard crocodiles as deceitful evil spirits. To cast these spirits out, crocodile masks are worn during rituals. Other tribes believe that crocodiles are messengers of divine beings that govern the lakes and rivers. A tribe in Benin called Abomey regard the crocodile as a representation of their sun god Lisa.

Tokelau Pearl Gold Diamond 2015 Fashion Jewellery 163

 Togo Pearl Gold Diamond 2015 Fashion Jewellery. 

By Aamir Mannan.
Surface of Akoya pearls

Akoya pearls are typically clean, generally free of heavy blemishes. This is a result of their comparatively short cultivation time, and the strict quality standards Japanese pearls are subject to.

Quality Factor Three: Shape

pearls are placed into eight basic shape categories: "round," "drop," "button" "oval," "semi-round," "circle -- or "ringed", "baroque," and "semi-baroque." Generally, the rounder the pearl, the more valuable it is. Perfectly round pearls are very rare. But though baroque pearls are often less costly, they can be just as lustrous and appealing as the round.

African Diamond New Girl Fashion 2015 Gold Jewellery 10013

African Diamond New Girl Fashion 2015 Gold Jewellery.

Aamir Mannan.

African animal art has been used by a host of tribes to depict the relationship between man and nature.

African animal art has evolved from cave paintings to elaborate sculptures and ceremonial masks. The traditional belief that associated animals with spirits was symbolized in divine ceremonies of religious importance that were intended to give credence to spirits disguising themselves as animals. Each animal within the wild of Africa possesses traits that are comparable to high- ranking people. For this reason, many chiefs and kings keep art that symbolize these animals, or are made from the animal’s skin and bones.

Togo Pearl Gold Diamond 2015 Fashion Jewellery 161

 Togo Pearl Gold Diamond 2015 Fashion Jewellery. 

By Aamir Mannan.

Generally, the cleaner the surface of a pearl, the more valuable it is. But it's very important to remember that, as products of nature, pearls are almost never flawless -- and imperfections, because they're natural, don't necessarily detract from the beauty or value of a pearl.

African Diamond New Girl Fashion 2015 Gold Jewellery 10012

African Diamond New Girl Fashion 2015 Gold Jewellery.

Aamir Mannan.

Most African masks do not resemble the human face. They are designed for shock value. They convey a range of emotions ranging from sadness, anger or suspicion.

The fashioning of a mask can take weeks to complete. It is then kept in a safe place, and is only brought out for important ceremonies. The masks are still worn at celebrations, such as weddings, initiation ceremonies and to entertain important visitors. The masks are normally worn by men, although in some cultures women do own and perform in masks: an example being a ritual that initiates them into the female society.

African Diamond Girl Fashion 2015 Gold Jewellery 10011

African Diamond Girl Fashion 2015 Gold Jewellery.

Aamir Mannan.

Most African masks do not resemble the human face. They are designed for shock value. They convey a range of emotions ranging from sadness, anger or suspicion.

The fashioning of a mask can take weeks to complete. It is then kept in a safe place, and is only brought out for important ceremonies. The masks are still worn at celebrations, such as weddings, initiation ceremonies and to entertain important visitors. The masks are normally worn by men, although in some cultures women do own and perform in masks: an example being a ritual that initiates them into the female society.

Timor-Leste (East Timor) Pearl Gold Diamond 2015 Fashion Jewellery 160

Timor-Leste (East Timor) Pearl Gold Diamond 2015 Fashion Jewellery. 

By Aamir Mannan.
Quality Factor Two: Surface

Surface is the second most important quality factor in pearl evaluation. Surface quality refers to the amount and kinds of flaws that appear on the outside of a pearl. Surface is generally evaluated in terms of "clean" to "heavily blemished," with grades of blemishing in between. "Clean" pearls have virtually no spots, bumps, pits, cracks, circles or wrinkles on them. "Heavily blemished" pearls, on the other hand, are dominated by such flaws. It's important to note the difference between "damaging" and "non-damaging" blemishes. Damaging blemishes are those that tend to become larger over time. "Cracks" and "chips," often near a pearl's drill holes, are damaging blemishes. Non-damaging blemishes do not worsen over time. Spots, bumps, pits, circles, and wrinkles are considered non-damaging blemishes. 

African Diamond Wedding Fashion 2015 Gold Jewellery 10010

African Diamond Wedding Fashion 2015 Gold Jewellery.

Aamir Mannan.

African masks are the most popular pieces of African art. They are also considered to be among the finest pieces and are highly sought after. They are usually carved from wood, although some are made from cloth, which are decorated with paint and beads.

Tibet Pearl Gold Diamond 2015 Fashion Jewellery 159

Tibet Pearl Gold Diamond 2015 Fashion Jewellery. 

By Aamir Mannan.

Lustre of Akoya pearls

Many experts believe that Akoya pearls have the highest lustre of all cultured pearls, and it has to do with their nacre coating. The Japanese waters in which Akoya pearls grow are considerably cooler -- 10 to 15 degrees cooler -- than those in warmer climates, where other types of saltwater cultured pearls are grown. The cooler conditions cause Akoya pearls to develop their nacre coating more slowly, and with a more compact crystal structure. This is what increases Akoya pearls' reflective and refractive qualities. Even though Akoya pearls' nacre coating is generally thinner than that of most other saltwater varieties -- about a half millimeter thick -- their lustre shines the brightest. 

African Diamond Wedding Fashion 2015 Gold Jewellery 10009

African Diamond Wedding Fashion 2015 Gold Jewellery.

Aamir Mannan.

Today as in the past, African Jewelry is used to enhance personal beauty and at the same time displays the artistry of African craftsmen.

Thailand Pearl Gold Diamond 2015 Fashion Jewellery 158

 Thailand Pearl Gold Diamond 2015 Fashion Jewellery. 

By Aamir Mannan.

High-lustre pearls are bright, and have a deep-seated glow. They reflect objects near them clearly. Though high-lustre pearls usually have a thick nacre coating, thick nacre doesn't always guarantee a pearl will have high lustre. This is true because genetic imperfections in some oysters don't allow them to secrete nacre in perfect patterns that result in high lustre. Low-lustre pearls, on the other hand, have low reflective and refractive qualities. They may appear too white, or dull or chalky, and they usually have only marginal nacre thickness. 

African Women Diamond Stylish Fashion 2015 Gold Jewellery 10008

African Women Diamond Stylish Fashion 2015 Gold Jewellery.

Aamir Mannan.

Tribal jewelry in West Africa was traditionally used to tell a story. Depending on the culture and times, jewelry has been appreciated as a status symbol or designated as a cultural affiliation. Anklets were used for ritual dances, beaded belts or waist chains were used at wedding ceremonies and cowrie shells have even been used as a form of money.

Tanzania Pearl Gold Diamond 2015 Fashion Jewellery 157

Tanzania Pearl Gold Diamond 2015 Fashion Jewellery. 

By Aamir Mannan.
Quality Factor One: Lustre

Lustre is considered the most important quality factor in pearls. Lustre refers both to a pearl's brilliance -- the way its surface reflects light -- and its inner glow: the way it refracts light. A pearl's lustre is generally evaluated in terms of "high" to "low," with grades of "medium" in between. 

African Women Diamond Stylish Fashion Gold Jewellery 10007

African Women Diamond Stylish Fashion Gold Jewellery.

Aamir Mannan.

Tribal African Jewelry was made from natural materials such as ivory, amber, bone, wood, shells, metal, hair and stone. These various materials were fashioned into necklaces, waist chains, bracelets, ankle chains and head adornments.

Tajikistan Pearl Gold Diamond 2015 Fashion Jewellery 156

 Tajikistan Pearl Gold Diamond 2015 Fashion Jewellery. 

By Aamir Mannan.

Akoya Pearl Quality Evaluation

It's generally accepted that Akoya pearls, the classic cultured pearls of Japan, are the most lustrous of all pearls. But "lustre" is only one of the 5 quality factors used in judging cultured pearls, the others being "surface," "shape," "color" and "size." Let's review these quality factors, and see how each applies to Akoya pearls. A bit later, we'll do the same with South Sea pearls and Tahitian pearls. 

African Women Diamond Stylish Fashion Gold Jewellery 10006

African Women Diamond Stylish Fashion Gold Jewellery.

Aamir Mannan. 

African jewelry dates back thousands of years and the oldest jewelry known is some shell beads discovered in a cave in South Africa believed to be about 75,000 years.

Taiwan (Republic of China) Pearl Gold Diamond 2015 Fashion Jewellery 155

Taiwan (Republic of China) Pearl Gold Diamond 2015 Fashion Jewellery. 

By Aamir Mannan.
Akoya Pearl Processing

The exacting procedure of sorting cultured pearls is especially time-consuming with Akoya pearls. One reason is: there are so many pearls to sort through. Another is that Japanese matching requirements are generally stricter than those for other pearl types. In fact, Akoya cultured pearl producers seek nearly perfect matches among their pearls. Such high matching standards result in 90 percent of all Akoya pearls harvested to be lightly bleached and tinted after drilling. These color enhancements are intended to be permanent, and should not change over time.