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November 1999
Gemstones & Pearls: New Products
Shapely Pearls
Different shapes offer refreshing appeal
People are used to seeing perfectly round pearls, so the introduction
of the unconventional shapes of mabé and baroque cultured
pearls sends jewelry design in new directions.
Square or cushion mabé cultured pearls follow the growing
popularity of square diamonds. Baroque circle cultured pearls
allow jewelry designers to reflect the rings of each pearl in
the metal work.
Consumer acceptance of these pearls is rising. "Square
and oval are in demand and coincide with the desire for something
unconventional," says David Silvera of Carol Silvera, Allenhurst,
NJ. When selling these non-conformist shapes, remember the FTC
Guides for the Jewelry Industry mandate the correct terminology,
especially when dealing with cultured pearls.
The word cultured or cultivated must immediately precede the
word pearl in designations such as akoya, mabé or freshwater.
For example, "freshwater cultured pearl" is the proper
way to describe these pearls to your customers.
– by Lorraine M. Suermann
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18k gold ring features a cushion mabé
cultured pearl. The ring shank is designed with swirls and accented
with 0.08 carat of diamonds. Suggested retail, $950. Carol Silvera,
Allenhurst, NJ; (732) 517-8833. |
| Crafted in 14k yellow and white gold, each earring
holds an oval South Sea cultured pearl (9mm-10mm) and diamond
accent. Suggested retail, $599. Henri Ramon Collection, Sussex,
NJ; (973) 875-9808. |
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Strand features 24 South Sea baroque cultured
pearls (24mm x 15mm) with a 5.78-ct. diamond pavé clasp
that reflects the shape of the pearls. Suggested retail, $49,000
for the pearls, $13,000 for the clasp. Albert Asher South Sea
Pearl Co., New York City; (212) 944-7230, fax (212) 921-1079. |
| "Sammie" is a natural freshwater cultured
pearl brooch containing 0.48 carat of spessartine garnets and
3.24 carats of princess-cut sapphires set in 18k gold. Suggested
retail, $6,600. Glen J. Engelbrecht for G.J. Designs, Sarasota,
FL; (941) 951-6658, fax (941) 365-2577, sjwc@gateway.net. |
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18k gold Fantasy brooch features white South
Sea keshi cultured pearls and natural golden 12mm South Sea cultured
pearls. Diamond accents weigh 3.92 carats and are E-F / VVS2-VS1.
Suggested retail, $28,000.
Donna Vock Designs Inc., New York City; (212) 980-4249, fax (212)
355-4282. |
| Flower brooch features three fancy shaped mabé
cultured pearls and 0.15 carat of diamond accents set in 18k
gold. Suggested retail, $1,860. Delmar, Montréal, Canada;
(514) 875-4800, fax (514) 875-5356. |
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Earrings each feature a 10mm Chinese freshwater
baroque cultured pearl with diamond accent in 18k gold. The mauve
/ purple earrings are $1,275 suggested retail and the white/orange
are $875. Jeffery Pratt Fine Jewelry, Dallas, TX; (800) 606-9764
or (972) 386-8955, fax (972) 392-4471, www.jefferypratt.com. |
Available in 14k yellow or white gold, this 0.30-ct.
diamond slide pendant features a
9mm-10mm natural black Tahitian cultured pearl on a 16-in. chain.
Suggested retail, $1,000. Tara & Sons Inc., New York City;
(800) 235-2790 or (212) 575-8191, fax (212) 869-9332. |
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A platinum ribbon clasp holds together Japanese
biwa cultured pearl strands. Pearls are color-enhanced. Suggested
retail, $1,890.
Barbara Berk Designs, Foster City, CA; (650) 349-4137, fax (650)
349-4042, bmberk@usa.net. |
| 14k gold rings are crowned with an oval or cushion
mabé cultured pearl. Suggested retail, $495 (oval) and
$535 (cushion). Nancy B & Co., Culver City, CA; (800) 421-0464
or (310) 836-8842, fax (310) 836-2409. |
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American cultured pearl strands glisten in natural
pastel hues. Suggested retail, $1,000 - $10,000. American Pearl
Co., Nashville, TN; (615) 350- 6600, fax (615) 350-8522. |
Copyright © 1999 by Bond Communications.
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