Learn About Jewelry With ShaynaB
What do you mean by high quality lapis?
Let’s discover what makes lapis qualify as “high quality”. There are a few things to look at when classifying lapis:
Is the lapis died? If it is died it will seem to be too uniform in color. Natural lapis should have small color variations. In summary, the larger the variations, then the lower the quality.
Waxed or not? During the polishing process, waxing the stone is a normal part of this procedure. Waxing doesn’t alter the quality, but it does create a nice shine to the stone. Visit our website store below to view a good example of waxed, high quality lapis - especially the centerpiece of Butterfly with Lapis Necklace.
Is the Color Uniform? Above I mentioned the more uniform the color, the higher quality, as long as it is natural. Some lapis will have streaks of gold or patches of white. These indicate a lower quality, although they can add texture and dimension to the stone.
So what is the deal with pearls?
When trying to value pearls, there are two main characteristics to consider: size which is measured in millimeters and the quality of finish. The quality of the finish or nacre coating gives a pearl its luster.
There’s no need for polishing or faceting for pearls to shine. There are different types of pearls. Natural pearls are made by mollusks without intervention by humans, whereas cultured pearls, which are also grown by mollusks, require the addition of an irritant to the shell in order to make the pearl grow.
Most pearls used in jewelry necklaces, bracelets and earrings are either cultured or imitation. In fact, since the 1920’s natural pearls are very rare. That’s one more reason to know the difference between natural and cultured pearls and to trust the source of your handmade and unique jewelry.