Fact or Fiction? SWP like to be worn, FWP don't

[hlk]

Hi,

I've been meandering through this site for awhile but haven't found anyone address this "truth" about pearls. So I'll post it here. Is this is fact or fiction: saltwater pearls, like akoyas, like to be worn and freshwater pearls do not. Apparently saltwater pearls benefit from salts and oils produced by the body and grow more lustrous whereas freshwater pearls will be "poisoned" by the salts and their luster will fade over time.

Is there any truth to this?

HLK

 

[hlk]

I plan to buy some pearls and need to know...

I plan to buy some pearls and need to know...

if there's any truth to the wearability issue. I wear my fake pearls four or five times a week all day, and would do the same with the real pearls. But I would hate to invest in real pearls if they wouldn't stand up to the wear.

Also, I've heard that real pearls (and I speak here of both natural and cultured) take on the skin tones of the wearer.

Would appreciate any clarification of theses questions.

Thanks!

 

[jshepherd]

If the pearls are of high quality they should stand the wear with no problems. But if purchasing Akoya you must ensure that you are getting a good quality strand as thin nacre Akoya will wear easily. If you spray perfume directly on, or use a lot of lotions the pearls will not last either.

Pearls do not necessarily take the color of the skin, they soak up the oils of the skin. Some people believe that this makes the pearls more beautiful and shiny. The tone of the skin should have nothing to do with this, however.

 

[jshepherd]

I've been meandering through this site for awhile but haven't found anyone address this "truth" about pearls. So I'll post it here. Is this is fact or fiction: saltwater pearls, like akoyas, like to be worn and freshwater pearls do not. Apparently saltwater pearls benefit from salts and oils produced by the body and grow more lustrous whereas freshwater pearls will be "poisoned" by the salts and their luster will fade over time.

I would say fiction.

 

[mikehrz]

the substance that give skin its color is called melanin. it is more abundant in dark-skinned people than light-skinned. if pearls really absorbed this from skin, by extension all objects worn next to the skin should do so, clothing for instance. pearls don't change their color based on who's wearing them any more than clothes do.

chemically, i don't think there's a huge difference between fw nacre and akoya nacre, so there's no reason that i'm aware of for the same oils and salts to benefit akoyas and harm fw's.

btw, nacre is a chemical variant of calcium carbonate, which can also be found in marble, limestone, antacids, and chalk. does this mean eating a pearl cures indigestion?

 

[jshepherd]

Good point, Mike!

I do not think that pearls can cure indigestion. But the remedies of old called for a lot of pearls. Even Aristotle once wrote that pearls can heal the eyes, cure heart palpitations, and could cure 'black' blood.

Still today some older people in Kuwait grind pearls to make a mixture called 'Sahtit' (which also is a word for small natural pearl in Arabic) by mixing the dust with kohl. They put the paste on their eyes to enhance their vision. They can only use natural, non-pierced pearls. I still get an occassional request for pearls to be used in some type of remedy.

 

[hlk]

Thanks!

Thanks!

Thank you both for your replies. I thought it sounded a bit odd, but just wanted to make sure since most pearls cost in the hundreds of dollars and not the tens like my fake strand. My husband will be buying my real strand as a christmas gift, and I can't wait!

 

[lisa c]

I'd never heard of this before -

 

[Pearl Dreams]

hlk,

Whatever kind of pearls you end up buying, use a soft, clean microfiber type cloth (not a chemically treated one-- just a plain cloth) to wipe them after you take them off, to remove any sweat or oils they may have picked up from your skin. This will help preserve their luster.

 

[Adeline Leigh]

Not kidding but quite a few Asians still consume ground pearl powder as part of their beauty/ health regime. My Chinese great-grandma used to talk about it but I've frankly never tried. Here's a local (Singapore) purveyor:
http://www.thejamushop.com/Beauty_pearl_powder.htm

Although I did snigger a bit reading that it came from the Hainan Seas; it seems the dark-skinned southern (and seafaring) Chinese need all the help to morph into lily-white versions of their northern Shanghainese cousins...

Kari from karipearls writes about here as well:
http://www.karipearls.com/chinese-pearl-powder.html

Any PG-er has tried it? Please do share!

 

[Lagoon Island Pearls]

Kari from karipearls writes about here as well:
http://www.karipearls.com/chinese-pearl-powder.html

Any PG-er has tried it? Please do share!

Interestingly enough, Kari has referred individuals to inquire about natural pearls for medicial purposes. My usual response would be... the cost per carat is prohibitive.

There are several Nano Pearl Powder manufacturers nowadays, who produce it from shells. A by-product of China's enormous food and pearl industries.

 

[lisa c]

Interesting info comes out of resurrecting old threads.

 

[judimcc6]

So, when drilling pearls, the pearl dust that ends up all over my face is really a beauty regimen? I like it.

 

[Marianne]

Just don't inhale it Judi. Lungs are not fond of pearl dust!

 

[pearlescence]

Some days pearlescence towers is a cloud of pearl dust - does that mean we get healthier and even more beautiful on those days?

 

[lisa c]

Yes Wendy, even more beautiful!

 

[Adeline Leigh]

I'm going to Chintatown and hunt down some pearl powder. Will update on cost (if not too prohibitive) and taste and will ship to consenting adults sachets of white, presumably, powder that will hopefully clear customs

Reminds me of the time my shipment of watermelon tourmaline slices got held up at the Australian customs as they were suspicious of the agricultural contents. LOL!

 

[pearlescence]

I would think that Jeremy would have as much of this as I do...please let us know if you are instantly invigorated and 100% more fabulous so we can launch a new product line!