The March issue of In Style magazine features cultured pearls of every price and quality in a regular feature the magazine calls "The In Style Shopper/Wise Buys." Authors Marion Fasel and Penny Proddow pay close attention to the explosion of pearls in many colors and shapes, including Japanese akoyas, South Sea pearls and Chinese freshwater pearls. Classic white pearls are featured prominently, as are pink, apricot, lavender, blue, pistachio and golden.

The article includes specific care and handling advice and also covers disclosure knowledgeably. "Pearls come in a wide range of colors, so ask your jeweler if the color is natural (and thus more desireable) or man-made (enhanced by irradiation or dying)," the article says. "To spot a dyed pearl, look for a condensation of color at the drill holes. The benefit of artificial coloring is that it produces cheap pearls in flashy shades; the drawback, the dye fades over time."

The article didn't mention that many cultured pearls are bleached first to make their surfaces uniform and prepare them for possible further enhancement. Since bleaching is permanent, disclosure is not required by the FTC guides, but consumers may still want to know.

Get ready for the consumer interest!

- by Peggy Jo Donahue