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Pearl, a lustrous object

A pearl is a hard, glistening object produced within the soft tissue of a living shelled mollusk. Just like the shell, it is composed of calcium carbonate in minute crystalline form, called nacre, which has been deposited in concentric layers produced by the mollusk. The ideal pearl is perfectly round and smooth, but many other shapes, known as baroque pearls, can occur. The finest quality of natural pearls have been highly valued as gemstones and objects of beauty for many centuries. Because of this, the pearl has become a metaphor for something rare, fine, admirable, and valuable.

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Tahitian Black Drops with Umba River Garnets

Tahitian pearl (black pearl) is an organic gem formed from the black lip oyster, Pinctada margartifera. They are primarily cultivated around the islands of French Polynesia, around Tahiti. 

These lustrous black Tahitians drop from rich colored Umba River garnets, hand made in 18K yellow gold.

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Pearl, June Birthstone

Pearl – a hard, glistening object produced within the soft tissue (the mantle) of a living shelled mollusk. Its hardness is only 2.5 – 4.5 on the Moh’s scale so we don’t recommend it for an everyday ring, but earrings, pendants, necklaces, and bracelets are just wonderful to wear.

Pearls come in a wide variety of shapes, sizes, and colors. They are irridescent and can be white, pink, silver, cream, brown, green, blue, black, yellow, orange, gold, and purple.

Freshwater pearls form in various species of freshwater mussels, which live in lakes, rivers, ponds, and other bodies of fresh water.

Saltwater pearls grow within pearl oysters, which live in oceans. Saltwater pearl oysters are usually cultivated in protected lagoons or volcanic atolls. These are called Akoya pearls.

Tahitian pearl (black pearl) is an organic gem formed from the black lip oyster, Pinctada margartifera. They are primarily cultivated around the islands of French Polynesia, around Tahiti. 

South Sea Pearls are produced in the Philippines, Australia, and Indonesia. It’s the largest of all pearls and ranges in size from 9 – 20 mm. They can be cream, white, or golden, and they are harvested from the oyster pinktada maxima.

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Pendant with Mint Tourmaline & Black Tahitian Pearl Drop, 14KW

Our latest creations from our workshop, hand made in Lenox, in the Berkshires.
14KW Pendant, w/Mint Tourmaline & Black Tahitian Pearl Drop
The Tourmaline is a princess cut & weighs 1.31 carats, 6mm.
The Black Tahitian Pearl drop measures 15 x 9 mm.
Origin:  Tourmaline; Afghanistan

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Rhodolite Garnet with White Baroque Pearl Earrings

Rhodolite Garnet from Tanzanite, 6.75mm square radiant cut, 4.35ctw. cut by hand in the Berkshires. This rich purplish-pink color bring out the luster in these 15 x 12mm Fresh Water white baroque drops. Set in simple 18KY double wire baskets with posts and backs. Hand made in our workshop in Lenox.

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New Earrings from Our Workshop

This month we feature these easy to wear pearl hoops. They’re so easy to slip on and they stay in place on the ear. The flawless 12 mm Tahitian black pearls fall sweetly just below the ear lobe. Very flattering from every direction. Also available in 18K yellow gold with white pearls.

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Made in the Berkshires

Visit our Gallery in Lenox, MA in the Berkshires, just a short distance from Tanglewood. Featuring fine contemporary hand made jewelry, vintage jewelry, and the largest collection of loose colored gemstones in the Berkshires. We work in precious metals such as silver, gold, and platinum. Custom designed jewelry is our specialty.