Learn About Handmade Jewelry With ShaynaB
ShaynaB
What factors make high quality lapis?
Do you know what makes lapis qualify as "high quality"? There are a few factors that go into it's classification:
Died or not? If it is died the color will look very consistent. Natural lapis should have some variations in color. So in conclusion the more the color varies the lower the quality.
Is it waxed? Waxing the stone is just part of the polishing process. Waxing doesn't efffect the quality, but it does create a shinier stone. The centerpiece of Butterfly with Lapis Necklace at our website is a good example of a waxed, high quality lapis stone.
Is the Color Consistent? I mentioned above that the more uniform the color, the higher quality... as long as the stone is natural. Some lapis will have streaks of gold or patches of white. This indicates a lower quality, although this can add texture and dimension to the stone.
What is the truth about pearls?
When trying to value pearls, there are two main characteristics to consider: size which is measured in millimeters and the quality of finish. The quality of the finish or nacre coating gives a pearl its luster.
Pearls require no polishing or faceting to shine. There are several types of pearls. Natural pearls are made by mollusks without human intervention, whereas cultured pearls, also grown by mollusks, require the addition of an irritant to the shell in order to make the pearl grow.
Since the 1920's, natural pearls are very rare. Most pearls used in jewelry today are either cultured or imitation. That is why it is very important to understand the difference between the two and to trust the source of your jewelry.
About the Author:
ShaynaBJewelry.com features women's fashion jewelry made of high quality lapis, cultured pearls, semi-precious stones and sterling silver. Don't forget to visit our blog to discover the inspirational stories behind the handcrafted jewelry.
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