Fine Baby & Kids Jewelry for Girls & Boys My Account  |  
Like us on Facebook for an instant coupon
Guides

Gifts

Shipping

Education


Customer Service
888.707.7772
E-mail

Educated shoppers are smarter shoppers...
About Freshwater Pearl Care
We have provided a few simple tips to help you keep your cultured pearl jewelry in beautiful heirloom condition
for years to come.

Issue
Solution
Dull, pitted, cracked nacre Cosmetics, perfume, hairspray, household chemicals, acidic perspiration, chlorinated water, and other harsh chemicals with ammonia or vinegar will damage the nacre of your cultured pearls. Your cultured pearl jewelry should be the last thing on and the first thing off. After each wear wipe your pearl jewelry down with a soft cloth dampened with water only (not soap). Never use an ultrasonic jewelry cleaner as this will damage your cultured pearls.

Common Myth
The oils in your skin will keep the nacre of your pearls conditioned and lustrous-looking.

The Truth
This statement is a myth - an old wives tale passed down as truth.

The oils in your skin and perspiration will actually corrode and damage the nacre of your pearls. This will happen after many years of handling your pearls - so don't worry too much about handling your pearls, just be sure to always wipe your pearls with a soft moist cloth after each use.
Cracked, dry-looking nacre Pearls will crack if lacking moisture. Always include a damp cloth when storing your cultured pearl jewelry. Never store in a dry area like a safety-deposit box.

Store your cultured pearls in a moist location (not dry) away from other jewelry items and most importantly away from heat to prevent damage to the pearl nacre. Pearls will crack and discolor when exposed to heat or intense light so avoid wearing your pearls while cooking or tanning.
Pits, chips, and scratches in nacre Cultured pearls measure a 2.5 to 4 on the Mohs Hardness Scale and fair in the toughness category which means they are not durable and scratch easily. Avoid hitting your cultured pearls against a hard surface like a glass countertop. Always set or lie your pearl jewelry down gently on a soft cloth or pad. Never rub your pearls against a harsh fabric such as wool - as harsh fabrics will damage the nacre of your pearls over time.
Dirty, worn stringing material Pearls are either knotted on jewelers silk or strung on beading wire. Pearls are knotted to prevent adjacent pearls from scratching one another. Knotting also prevents loss of your pearls should the silk break.

Beading wire provides added durability against breakage. Pearls should be restrung once a year (depending on use) as all stringing materials become weak after prolonged use.

Buyer Beware

Many jewelers are misrepresenting the pearls they offer by omitting the word "cultured". This implies their pearls are the much more valuable naturally occurring variety. This occurs both online and in reputable jewelry stores. Usually this is just an oversight, but sometimes the omission is a deliberate attempt to mislead potential customers.

Cultured Pearls are Real Pearls
The vast majority of pearls for sale today (over 99%) are cultured (grown) by one of several methods. Cultured pearls are genuine pearls made of the same nacre found in natural pearls. Cultured pearls are formed by the same processes inside mussels and oysters that form natural pearls. Pearls form around irritants that get inside a mussel or oyster. The primary difference between natural and cultured pearls is how the irritant gets inside the mollusk.

Natural Pearls are Rare & Expensive
Naturally occurring pearls are extremely rare and are most often vintage gems found selling in auction houses or estate sales for very high prices. A single baby bracelet of top-quality natural 6mm pearls (similar to the top-quality cultured pearls we use in our jewelry lines) would sell for thousands of dollars. A single 16mm natural Freshwater pearl of very high quality recently sold at auction for $50,000.

Our Ethical Standards
As a member of the American Gem Trade Association (AGTA), BeadifulBABY strictly adheres to the AGTA Code of Ethics and Principles of Fair Business Practices. We also strictly adhere to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) jewelry and precious metals guidelines. The FTC states you must use the term "cultured" when referring to cultured pearls. Merely referring to a pearl as a "pearl" instead of a "cultured pearl" implies the pearl is natural.

We pride ourselves in upholding the ethical standards set forth by the Gemological Institute of America (GIA), the American Gem Trade Association (AGTA), and the Federal Trade Commission (FTC).
Sincerely,

Shelli M. Galbraith, GIA Pearls Graduate
...turned out absolutely gorgeous!...
"The bracelet that we ordered for our daughter for her baptism turned out absolutely gorgeous!
Everyone commented on how beautiful it was too. We are very happy customers!"
Amy - Sunrise, FL
My Account
About BeadifulBABY
Need Help?
Shop
Gift Ideas
Gift Services
Guides
Sign up for Special Offers
Receive special offers and gift ideas from BeadifulBABY:
 

Stay ConnectedBeadifulBABY.com - Become a fan and share BeadifulBABY® with your friends.BeadifulBABY.com - Follow us on Twitter.

Made in U.S.A.
Shop Online or Call 1-888-707-7772 BeadifulBABY®
Copyright © 2005-2012 BeadifulBABY® is a Registered Trademark of TomorrowsBABY, Inc.
All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Legal Statement | Site Map
Dallas Web Design