(ARA) – You probably have some important women to shop for this season – maybe a wife or daughter, your mom or sister. Need some ideas? Think jewelry.

The wide variety of gem colors, shapes and sizes could make finding the perfect jewelry gift a little intimidating. But even if you procrastinated and now are looking for a last-minute gift, a little background information on jewelry will make your search easier.

Shopping online could be the best way to find a beautiful piece of jewelry and have it delivered in time for your holiday. For assistance in finding quality jewelers, try these tips:

1. Look for professionally-taken photographs of the jewelry, showing you details about the gems, the gold or silver and even the clasps.

2. Use a jeweler who has received Better Business Bureau high scores and is a member of industry associations such as The Jewelers Vigilance Committee and The Cultured Pearls Association of America.

3. Ask for liberal return policies. A 90-day return policy with free shipping is a good example.

When looking for jewelry, some of the more popular gems to consider include:

* Amethyst – There are many legends about this deep purple gem. The birthstone for February, amethyst is quartz, found all around the world, and has created an aura of mystery because of how heat and light can change the color of the stone. These stones look great in rings, drop necklaces and earrings.

While amethyst is hard and resistant to damage caused by wear, sunlight and black lights can affect the color of the stone.

* A bit more expensive, but still beautiful, the emerald with its deep green color is said to bring good luck and well-being to a wearer. Good quality emeralds are rarer than amethysts because the gem is easily flawed. Because of the strong color, emeralds work well in rings, necklaces, bracelets and earrings and mix well with other colors.

Emeralds require a little extra care when wearing. Cleaning solvents can remove the seal usually applied to the stone to protect the fine pores of the gem’s surface. Remove the jewelry before immersing in cleaning agents such as soapy water.

* Pearls are in a different category from the rest of the gem stones, partly because they come in so many different shapes and colors. Popular styles are freshwater pearls – ranging from pastel pinks and whites to a light purple color – and Akoya pearls – also known as the classic pearls, known for their perfect round shape and hint of a pink overtone to the color.

“Cultured pearls are the perfect gift,” says Fran Mastoloni, president of the Cultured Pearl Association of America. “Their versatility allows them to be worn with almost any outfit and they effortlessly transition from day to night adding instant fashion and elegance.”

Pearls make a fabulous jewelry gift. A classic white strand of pearls around the neck, a simple pair of pearl earrings or a stunning bracelet of baroque pearls can reflect the luxury and good taste of the women you’re shopping for.

“Pearls are affordable but elegant jewelry so you can show how much a woman means to you,” says Jeremy Shepherd, CEO of PearlParadise.com. “They are also very versatile, allowing you to match the skin tone of the woman you’re shopping for perfectly.”

PearlParadise.com offers discounts off the retail price for freshwater and Akoya pearls. You will be able to find a range of colors and shapes of pearls placed in thousands of different jewelry designs and settings.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

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Diamond stud earrings or a simple tennis bracelet are classic and always in style, but for the girl who has everything, try something breathtakingly different. The experts at Jewelry Television recommend their favorite gift ideas.

Black and White and Iced All Over
Diamonds are the hardest known gemstone on earth and are traditionally colorless. But this season rare black diamonds are paired with white diamond shimmer. Black and white diamond earrings set in sterling silver complement a cocktail dress as well as jeans and a T-shirt—and everything in between. Shades of gray are splashed across the runways and this season’s charcoals, heathers and slates call out for a little black and white diamond shine, perhaps in the form of a cluster bracelet that shines like moonbeams dancing off the ocean.

Fit for a Queen
Once upon a time, the price of pearls was so extravagant they caused wars and were worn only by royalty. In fact, pearls have been called the “queen of gems.” A simple pendant, bracelet or drop earrings featuring Tahitian, Freshwater, Mabe or Akoya pearls will make her feel like the queen you know she is.

A Cut Above
This season, it’s all about the cut. The runways feature lean, precisely fitted suits and geometric lines dominate jewelry as well. Rings and necklaces featuring shaped and polished cabochons and other vintage-inspired shapes in bold colors make a statement. Unique designs and contrasting colors are used to create memorable looks in pieces such as multi-colored journey slides and bracelets featuring the graduated shades of the same colored gemstone. Large carat weight stones with defined patterns flatter the fashionable global mix of clothes in the style pages.

Luxury Lite
Retailers are now offering high-end, designer looks for less than designer prices. With Jewelry Television’s Luxury Lite collection, you can give her substantial gold jewelry with natural gemstones at a fraction of the cost. The Luxury Lite collection features a large variety of styles, but this season, tuck the vintage and estate looks of elaborate rings and satin finished pendants into fashion’s latest ruffles, pleats and twists.

For more information, check out Jewelry Television’s Learning Library at jtv.com for the most comprehensive resource on jewelry and gemstones on the Web. You can also check your local listings to find the network on your cable system, Direct TV or Dish Network.

Courtesy ARAcontent

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What’s more, pearls are the only “green” natural gemstone; they are a renewable resource and are harvested, rather than mined. And consider what it says about Americans’ vision of exemplary womanhood that June Cleaver and other iconic pop culture moms wore strands of pearls, not drapes of diamonds.

While you may have heard about the basics of diamond buying, few consumers are as educated about the nuances of pearl purchasing. “As with any other purchase, consumers should educate themselves before buying pearls,” says Jeremy Shepherd of PearlParadise.com. “Knowledge can mean the difference between buying a lackluster strand of overpriced imitations and getting quality pearls at competitive prices.”

Before you buy pearls, here’s what you should know:

Types and Sources of Pearls

Four types of pearls are available today and they come from all over the world.

* Freshwater pearls, known for their off-round shapes, fancy colors and affordability, are almost exclusively produced in China. Prices range from as little as $20 for a strand of low-grade freshwater pearls up to several thousands for gem-grade freshadama pearls.

* First cultured and sold in Japan nearly 100 years ago, akoya pearls are the type most people think of when talking about pearls. While China and Japan are the two largest producers of akoya pearls, Vietnam, Korea and Australia also produce limited quantities.

* Although they’re also known as “black pearls,” Tahitian pearls actually come in every color of the rainbow. They are prized for their large size and exotic colors. The Tahitian Islands are the main producers, but some production also occurs in the Cook Islands, Fiji, Micronesia and parts of southern Japan.

* The most valuable of all cultured pearls, South Sea pearls are renowned for their large size and satiny luster. A large perfect strand of these white, golden or silver pearls can cost millions of dollars. Australia is the primary producer of the white and silver pearls, while the Philippines and Indonesia produce golden pearls.

How to Evaluate a Pearl’s Quality

Just as you would look at the clarity, cut and carat of a diamond to determine its worth, pearls have value indicators as well. They are: luster, surface, nacre, matching, color and shape.

* Luster – When dealers price pearls, the single most important factor in their decision is the luster. Pearls should have a sharp, reflective quality. You should be able to see your reflection in a high-quality strand of pearls.

* Surface – The pearls should be free of marks, abrasions, cracks, pits or any other imperfections that mar the surface of the gemstone.

* Nacre – The thickness of the nacre – the “coating” of pearl that surrounds the bead that was inserted into the oyster – is important when dealing with saltwater pearls, especially akoya pearls. If the coating is too thin, the pearls will be chalky and will not last more than a few months to a year. If the pearls are chalky, or you can see a bead through the surface, the nacre is too thin.

* Matching – Whether you are buying a strand of pearls, a pair of earrings, a bracelet or an earring and necklace set, each pearl in the set should match in size, color and luster. For a set of earrings, the size should match within a tenth of a millimeter; for strands, pearls should match in size between half a millimeter to two millimeters. If you’re buying a strand, the pearls should also be matched from either side of the strand as it drapes.

* Color – Another important value factor, color is heavily dependent on preference. While classic white pearls will always be prized, some colors are more commonly preferred than others, such as peacock-color Tahitian pearls or rose-overtone akoya. These colors will often cost more than others.

* Shape – Pearls come in many different shapes, from wings and potato to rice crispie (or baroque) and round. The more perfectly round a pearl is, the more valuable the strand is if all other value factors are equal.

For more pearl-buying advice, visit www.pearl-guide.com, or go to www.pearlparadise.com, where you can not only purchase pearls online, but learn about the stone and its history.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

“Pearls are the only truly ‘green’ gemstone in that harvesting them has far less negative environmental impact than mining other stones,” says Jeremy Shepherd of PearlParadise.com. “Saltwater pearl farms’ success depends on the preservation of a pristine environment. Farmers grow their own oysters and are responsible for the preservation of many different species, some of which were on the verge of extinction before pearl farming began.”

“Their sustainable harvesting practices could be one reason why pearls are riding a popularity wave unlike any in the history of the gem,” Shepherd says. “Pearl prices in general have dropped enough to make pearls affordable for all ranges of income. The variety of colors, shapes, sizes, styles and price points mean you can find pearls to match virtually any taste or wardrobe.”

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Although there is much information to learn on the issue, there are a few things in particular that you will want to think about before going out to purchase diamonds and pearls, in particular the steps that are required in order to find a decent and legit diamonds and pearls company.

Finding a Decent Diamonds and Pearls Company

The first thing that you want to do when you are looking for a diamonds and pearls company is a price research. This means doing some price research at some of the online jewelry stores that you find, and based on your list you should end up with at least a rough estimate of the market price of the particular types of diamonds and pearls that you are looking for.

You also want to be sure to do background research on the various jewelry stores, and in fact this is one of the most important steps of all. If you have been doing some researching, then you most likely would have already come across some information regarding cubic zirconium diamonds. These are synthetic diamonds which are D-color graded, and they are flawless and cut to perfection.

They are basically a perfect diamond, and yet they are very affordable as well. There are also some natural types of diamonds that have undergone certain treatments in order to have blemishes reduced in order to enhance their overall appearance. However these are considered as being low grade diamonds and it is typically dishonest diamond dealers and crooks who will try to pawn these off on you as actually being very valuable diamonds.

Pearls are much the same way and in fact if anything, the value of pearls is often harder to determine than with diamonds, because they are so matte and the real quality can truly only be told by a professional with a microscope or through other methods.

As long as you take the previously mentioned tips into consideration and follow the necessary precautions, then you should really have no problems or troubles when it comes to finding diamonds or pearls.

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The unique way that a pearl develops made it a mystery to many for a long time. Currently much is known about how pearls are formed, and that information helps determine how to store and care for them properly.

Because pearls are natural objects they require more delicate care than metal jewelry. For example, you should avoid having your pearls come in contact with manufactured chemicals, including, hair spray, perfume, make up, or skin care products. You should put on your pearl jewelry after applying these products, as they may damage a pearls luster and color.

You should always take your pearls off before washing yourself, or applying additional makeup, creams, or lotions. As soon as you remove your pearl jewelry you should wipe them down with a clean cloth. This cloth should be soft and free from lint. Never rub pearls with an abrasive cloth as it may wear off the layer of nacre.

If your pearls get dirty, you can take them to a jeweler to be professionally cleaned, or you can clean them yourself with a cleaner formulated especially for pearls. Do not use regular soap as that may damage the pearls. You should also avoid solutions that contain bleach, ammonia, or other harsh detergents. Refrain from putting your pearl jewelry in an ultrasonic cleaner of any kind.

Other household products, such as citrus juice or vinegar, can also damage pearls. Heat can also be harmful to pearl jewelry. Heat can crack and discolor precious gem.

You should also pay close attention to how you remove your pearl jewelry. You should always grasp the metal part of the piece to remove it carefully. If you touch the pearl constantly when taking your jewelry off you can loosen the gem and may risk losing it. In addition the oils from your skin can damage the pearl.

In addition, if you wear your pearl strands regularly, you should have the stringing checked by a jeweler. The cord should be checked for integrity. If it is showing signs of wear or damage you should have it repaired or replaced. The string should be knotted between each pearl to prevent the loss of all of your pearls if the cord breaks. Likewise, if your pearl is on a ring, you should have the mounting checked as well.

When storing your pearls, there are several factors to consider. You should avoid storing pearls with other jewelry that may scratch or damage the pearl. Store them alone in a jewelry bag or cloth pouch.

Refrain from storing your pearl jewelry in locations with dry air as this may damage the pearls as well. Most safety deposit boxes contain dry air so you should avoid storing your pearls there.

Pearls are soft and delicate by nature; therefore, they should be taken care of and stored cautiously. It is important to clean and care for your pearls so they will remain beautiful and bright for years to come.

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A natural pearl begins when a foreign object or particle becomes stuck in an oyster or a clam’s soft inner body. The object becomes lodged and the oyster cannot expel it. In an act of self-defense the oyster begins coating the particle with layer after layer of a substance called nacre. Nacre is also referred to a Mother of Pearl. Nacre is a crystalline substance that will build up over time creating a pearl.

Nacre will produce a shiny, iridescent appearance. The oyster will continue to coat the foreign article with layers of nacre as long as it remains inside the oyster’s body. The process usually takes several years to produce a pearl.

Cultured pearls are created in a similar way. The major difference is that cultured pearls are produced with the help of humans. People who make cultured pearls are often referred to as pearl farmers. They insert beads into oysters in an effort to mimic nature. They place the beads in locations where the oyster cannot expel it.

 The oyster then coats the bead with nacre, the same way it would do in nature. The result is a precious pearl. Pearls can be created in both fresh and salt water.

Currently, French Polynesia is the leading producer of cultured pearls. They are responsible for 93 percent of all cultured pearls in the world.

Both the quality and the strength of the pearl are judged on the thickness of the layer of nacre. Because of this pearls are sold based on their size, measured in millimeters. The thickness of the coat of nacre can be based on several factors including, the type of mollusk the pearl is grown in, the type of water it is grown in, how long it is grown, and how it is harvested.

While the major determinant of the quality of the pearl is its size, there are other factors to consider as well. For example, a pearls luster also helps determine its worth. Luster refers to the way the pear reflects light and shines. Luster is created by surface brilliance. The luster of a good quality pearl will make it appear that a deep glow is originating from inside the pearl. You will be able to see your reflection in a good quality pearl.

Pearls also come in a wide variety of colors. Pearls generally have a body color and an overtone. This means the pearl is basically one color, but hues of another color may slightly modify the appearance.

Another determinant of the quality of a pearl is its surface condition. Because pearls are grown rather that made, it is rare to find one with a perfect surface. However, you should avoid purchasing a pear with a surface that has numerous pits, spots, cracks, bumps, or blemishes.

The shape of a pearl also plays a part in its value. It is difficult to find a perfectly round pearl. But the general rule of thumb is that the more round the pearl the more valuable it is. Round pearls are referred to a spherical. Symmetrical pearls are generally pear shaped. And baroque pearls are irregular shaped gems. While baroque pearls are unique they re generally not very valuable.

If you are buying a strand of pearls it is also important that the individual pearls match as closely as possible. Look for pearls that are similar in luster, color, shape, size, and overall quality.

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