Capture the true blue beauty of turquoise when donning the
Sterling Silver Turquoise Oval Bead and White Pearl Drop
Earrings. Hanging from each fishhook backing is a beautiful
oval-shaped turquoise bead that shows off its brilliant blue hue
and look. The beads each contain dark lines, or natural
definitions that create a one-of-a-kind look for each earring.
Accenting each turquoise bead is a small round sterling silver
bead paired with a small white pearl. This color combination
offers a rich and urban look, perfect for day-to-day wear.
The Curated Collection
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Discover the Curated Collection of fine and fashion jewelry. The
expansive selection of high-quality jewelry featured in the
Curated Collection offers everyday values that range from
precious gemstone and diamond pieces to the latest fashion
designs.
This hand-selected assortment features an array of diamond,
gemstone, and precious metal designs that receive a quality
inspection, including from ’s staff graduate gemologist, to
ensure they meet ’s high standards. All diamonds featured in the
Curated Collection are certified by our suppliers to be conflict
free, and IGI, GIA, or AGS certifications are provided on white
diamonds of .75 carats or larger on all stud earrings, rings, and
pendant necklaces.
Pieces from the Curated Collection come packaged in a custom box,
making them wonderful gifts. In addition, we offer free one-day
shipping within the continental U.S. on items over $500.
International shipping options for friends and family overseas
are available for an additional fee.
The Curated Collection offers a specialized customer service team
that is available seven days a week to answer any product
questions before, during or after the purchase. If you’re not
satisfied for any reason, you will receive a full refund and free
return shipping within the U.S. if you return your purchase
within 30 days.
Find a special gift for a loved one or a beautiful piece that
complements your personal style with jewelry from the Curated
Collection.
Turquoise
History
The word “turquoise” was derived from the French term “pierre
turquoise,” meaning “stone of Turkey.” This was after a 16th
century European misconception that the stones originated in
Turkey, when in fact they were first discovered in Persia.
Turquoise is formed over millions of years with a
reaction when water leaks into rocks containing copper and
aluminum minerals. Experts believe turquoise was first mined in
6000 B.C., by ancient Egyptians. Today, it is mined in countries
all around the world, including, China, Iran, the United States,
and Tibet.
Turquoise jewelry was first discovered within Egyptian tombs that
date back to 3500 B.C. Cultures around the world have embraced
the tradition of turquoise jewelry in the belief that it
possesses healing and protective powers. While turquoise jewelry
continues to be worn by many who believe it will attract money,
luck, and love, today, it is also a prevalent fashion accessory
and serves as a December birthstone, as well as the stone for the
fifth and eleventh wedding anniversaries.
Types of Turquoise
Turquoise may range in color from light blue to green. It may
contain a variety of natural definitions, from white to black,
which adds a one-of-a-kind look to each stone. While the
variances in color and matrix do not affect the value of the
stone, there are properties that make some turquoise more
expensive than others, most likely color uniformity and
vividness. Turquoise jewelry is often treated in order to bring
out the vibrant color and radiance of each stone.
Caring for Your Turquoise Jewelry
Like all natural gemstones, turquoise can be damaged if not cared
for properly. Clean with warm, soapy water and a soft cloth,
drying after washing. Avoid scratches by storing separately from
other jewelry. Avoid exposure to oils, perfumes, and s
that may affect the stone’s vivid color.
Freshwater Cultured Pearls
These pearls are gathered from freshwater lake and river
mollusks. Most Freshwater pearls come from China and they can be
mostly round to off-round, or rice-shaped to baroque. They look
similar to Akoya pearls, but are the perfect gift when on a
budget. They might be slightly less symmetrical, smaller, or not
as easily matched, but these minor differences provide a major
value for the price.
Cultivation
Pearls are produced naturally in the body of salt and freshwater
mollusks, such as oysters and mussels. When these animals sense
an irritant, such as a grain of sand, they produce a soft coating
of calcium carbonate substance around it. The result is a pearl.
Because perfectly round, naturally produced pearls are so rare, a
process known as cultivation was developed by Kokichi Mikimoto in
the early 1900s. A small bead of polished shell, the nucleus, is
used as an irritant and delicately inserted into the mantle of a
mollusk. It takes approximately 20-24 months of intensive
husbandry to cultivate a saltwater pearl and somewhat less time
to cultivate freshwater pearls. The harvest usually takes place
during the months of June and September.
Color
Mollusks produce pearls in a variety of colors, accommodating
most personal preferences and budgets. The general color of a
pearl is also known as the body color. Pearls typically range
from white, cream, and yellow to pink, silver, or black. An
overtone of secondary color is sometimes seen. For instance, a
pearl may appear to be white, but upon closer inspection a rosy
hue is detected. The body color would then be termed white-rosé.
Color variation does not affect the quality of the pearl, though
it should be noted that color matching is important when choosing
pearls for some necklaces, earrings, or bracelets. In fashion
jewelry, pearls can sometimes be dyed to achieve the desired
color, which should be mentioned in the product description or
specifications.
Lustre
The appealing, deep shine of a pearl is often what defines its
beauty. This shine is produced by multiple layers of semi-opaque
calcium carbonate crystals, called nacre. The nacre reflects
light on the surface of the pearl, producing brilliance and
sheen. Lustre is an integral feature in determining the quality
of a pearl. Large pearls have a thicker nacre and, therefore, a
higher lustre. When comparing a small Freshwater pearl to a large
South Sea pearl, the difference is clearly visible to the
untrained eye and should be considered when purchasing pearls.
Shape
While pearls come in many different shapes, the rarest and
highest-quality are round. Akoya, Tahitian, and South Sea oysters
tend to produce the roundest pearls, while those of Freshwater
mollusks can be oval to slightly off-round. When considering a
pearl purchase, whether it be a necklace, bracelet, or earrings,
look for consistency in the shapes of the pearls. Many of the
less symmetrical shapes are used in stylish jewelry which can be
quite beautiful: the drop pearl's shape lends well to earrings,
and the baroque pearl features irregular shapes that work well as
necklace accents. In addition, a half sphere pearl called a
"mabe" is often used in earrings, necklaces, and bracelets.
Size
An oyster's particular type and size has a direct effect on how
large the pearl it produces will be, and pearls do come in a wide
range of sizes. Round pearls are measured according to their
diameter, while baroque pearls are measured by their length and
width. A pearl's size does not necessarily affect its quality,
but it does affect its price. Large, round pearls are rare and
their lustre is usually high--this beautiful combination of
traits is often reflected in the cost of such pearls.
Average pearl sizes (in diameter):
Akoya: 6-8mm
Freshwater: 5-6.5mm
South Sea: 11-13mm
Tahitian: 11-12mm
Keshi: 4-10mm
Surface Markings
Often when an oyster creates a pearl, the nacre does not develop
smoothly. The surface of a pearl is judged by how many marks are
visible in the nacre. These imperfections can be small and
unnoticeable or quite large and distinct. Like diamonds, pearls
are rarely flawless. However, high lustre or the way pearls are
strung and set can help conceal surface markings.
Care
Proper care of pearls is not difficult if you remember that they
are and produced by a living thing. Pearls are soft and
delicate, but when cared for with common sense, they will
maintain their lustre for centuries. The pearls should not come
in contact with cosmetics, hairspray, perfume, chlorinated water,
or other harsh s. To keep them clean, let them be the
last item put on when dressing, and the first item taken off at
the end of an evening. The best way to maintain their lustre is
to wear the pearls often, and wipe them down with a soft cloth
afterward--pearls absorb the oils from skin, which helps keep
them moist. Pearls should be stored in a cloth pouch or jewelry
bag, separated from other jewelry to prevent nicks or chipping.
Periodically, pearl strands should be restrung since the silk
thread used to tie the pearls together breaks down over time.
- Drop earring featuring simulated turquoise oval, sterling silver bead, and freshwater cultured pearl suspended from fishhook backing.
- Clean with polishing cloth.
- The natural properties and process of pearl formation define the unique beauty of each pearl. The image may show slight differences in texture, color, size, and shape..
- Carved rings are naturally occurring imperfections that result from the pearl rotating inside the mollusk as it is growing. They define the unique beauty of each pearl and may vary in size, number, and depth per pearl..
- Imported.