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May 28, 2009
Sterling Silver
All of the clasps that you find on the Mai Pearls pearl bracelets, pearl necklaces and pearl pendants along with the hooks and attachments found on the Mai Pearls pearl earrings are made out of either sterling silver or gold plated sterling silver. The sterling silver used is 925 an alloy of silver containing 92.5% by weight of silver and 7.5% by weight of other metals, usually copper. Silver is a soft metal which is why mixing it with other metals creates a slightly stronger metal that can be used for more functional things such as clasps.
Posted: May 28, 2009 12:34 PM
May 27, 2009
Coin Pearls
What are coin pearls? Coin refers to the shape of the pearl, it is a coin-like shape and size. Coin Pearls have been extremely popular for the last few years. When they first came out, they were almost prohibitively expensive, but now we are seeing more reasonable prices for these big pearls. Coin pearls are formed by placing a disc shaped pearl bead nucleus in a mollusk (instead of a round bead nucleus). The nucleus is made from natural shell material - typically Mother of Pearl. www.maipearls.co.uk
Posted: May 27, 2009 04:03 PM
May 21, 2009
Mabe Pearls
Mabe pearls are considered to be “semi-spherical cultured pearls”. Instead of growing inside the body of the mollusk creature, as is the case with other pearls, mabe pearls grow against the inside shell.
This process causes mabe pearls to have a flat side, as opposed to being relatively spherical and this explains why mabe pearls are frequently called “half pearls”. Though they are quite lovely to look at, they will not be as expensive or valuable as “round” pearls due to the flat side.
To culture a mabe pearl, this is done be inserting the nucleus flush against the side of the mollusk causing the oyster to make its nacre deposits over the nucleus, and against the inside of its shell, forming a semi-spherical pearl. Due to this one flattened side, mabe pearls become the ideal choice for jewellery such as earrings and rings which allow for a secure setting, and a concealed flat back.
The mabe pearl first reached its popularity in the end of the 19th century, and from that time until the mid 20th century, many different efforts were made to attempt to cultivate the mabe pearl – most of which were in vein. Today, the production of cultured mabe pearls has become quite stable. Depending on the desired size, 2 to 6 years are needed for each pearl. However, for those who enjoy the mabe pearl, it’s well worth the wait.
www.maipearls.co.uk
Posted: May 21, 2009 01:07 PM
May 20, 2009
Baroque Pearls
So what are Baroque pearls? Baroque pearls are simply pearls that have an irregular shape. They are often the least expensive category of pearls, but are unique and quite beautiful and growing quickly in popularity. Cultured freshwater pearls are most commonly baroque, because freshwater pearls are mantle-tissue nucleated instead of bead nucleated. Thus these pearls are rarely perfectly spherical and can appear oval or ovoid. Baroque pearls are today very fashionable and there is a definate trend growing in the direction of irregular pearl shapes.
Posted: May 20, 2009 10:26 AM
May 19, 2009
Refreshingly fresh.
As we have already learnt, cultured or farmed pearls make up the majority of those that are currently sold. Mai Pearls use freshwater pearls in their designs and although freshwater and saltwater pearls may sometimes look quite similar they actually come from very different sources.
Natural freshwater pearls form in various species of freshwater mussels which live in lakes, rivers, ponds and other bodies of fresh water. These freshwater pearl mussels occur not only in hotter climates, but also in colder more temperate areas such as Scotland. However, most freshwater cultured pearls sold today come from China and this is the case with the pearls used in the Mai Pearls designs.
Saltwater pearls grow within pearl oysters which live in oceans. Saltwater pearl oysters are usually cultivated in protected lagoons or volcanic atolls. These oysters produce less pearls per oyster than the freshwater oysters which is why the price of saltwater pearls is higher than that of freshwater pearls.
Mai Pearls uses real, cultured, Chinese freshwater pearls in their designs, www.maipearls.co.uk.
Posted: May 19, 2009 11:11 AM
May 18, 2009
Get cultured
Over the next couple of weeks, this blog is going to be dedicated to the understanding of pearls, particularly the pearls that are used in the Mai Pearls designs.
All the pearls found in the Mai Pearls designs are "cultured pearls". So what are cultured pearls? Are they real pearls? Yes, they are real and they have been created by a pearl farmer under controlled conditions. The farmer places a small object, typically a parasite or piece of organic matter inside an oyster or mollusk. In response, the mantle tissue of the mollusk secretes nacre and as the nacre builds up in layers, it surrounds the irritant and eventually forms a pearl. FACT; It is a myth that a grain of sand can cause a pearl to form, as nacre will not adhere to inorganic substances.
Natural pearls are formed in nature, more or less by chance. Cultured pearls, by contrast, are those in which humans help to create. By actually inserting a foreign object into the tissue of an oyster or mollusk, pearl farmers can induce the creation of a pearl. The same natural process of pearl creation takes place.
So fact; cultured pearls are real, they are farmed by man and are also "natural", they are they type of pearls used within Mai Pearls designs.
Posted: May 18, 2009 12:05 PM
May 14, 2009
Wedding Jewellery
We at Mai Pearls have made it super easy to buy those essential pieces of wedding jewellery. We have a category on our website completely dedicated to wedding jewellery. This is broken down into bridesmaid jewellery and bridal jewellery which in turn is broken down into earrings, bracelets and necklaces. For any enquiries, please do not hesitate to contact us.
Posted: May 14, 2009 01:11 PM
May 13, 2009
Free free free
At a time when we are all after something for nothing, Mai Pearls has stepped up to the mark and offer the customer free gift wrap. Of course you can spend a little extra and get the all singing all dancing gift wrap which includes some gorgous ribbon and a greetings card. Whichever gift wrap option you decide on, your pearl jewellery will look stunning appearing from it.
Posted: May 13, 2009 12:11 PM
May 12, 2009
Sophiei.com
I absolutely love the collection of ready to wear bridal head pieces from sophiei.com. Hand-made silk flowers adorn simple bands of mother of pearl and swarovski crystals; with curled goose feathers and soft hackle adding to the unique style.
Feather spines are crystallised; ribbon cleverly manipulated in folds and drapes and simple strands of crystals add to the opulence of the collection.
The ever popular cocktail hat has once again been adapted and now features soft veiling with butterflies and mother of pearl buttons; or alternatively an explosion of ivory feathers for the wow factor!
And to complete the look, add a simple pearl bracelet from Mai Pearls.
Posted: May 12, 2009 10:26 AM
May 11, 2009
Notes on a Trend
In the June issue of Vogue, there is a feature called "More Dash than Cash" giving the reader helpful pointers on how to make the most of our wardrobe in these credit crunch times. One suggestion is to think big and layer and twist three long necklaces to make one statement piece. For a selection on long pearl necklaces, click here and have fun creating something new and totally unique.
Posted: May 11, 2009 10:08 AM
May 08, 2009
Throwing it together
Just today I woke feeling uninspired by my wardrobe (which was certainly not helped by the weather), the same wardrobe that sees me through season to season, never really changing (that's the problem with buying quality clothes that last just too long!). Putting on the usual black ensemble, I was delighted to put my hand in the jewellery jar and pull out a long silver pearl necklace that thankfully evoked instant inspiration. I began by wearing it long with a knot in and by coffee time (11am) I had wrapped it around three times and was wearing it tiered. Thank goodness for versatile jewellery - it is my wardrobes future!
Posted: May 8, 2009 12:21 PM
May 06, 2009
Networking
Networking is something that I certainly shy away from - it is probably because so many people tell me how important it is and good for me that it just puts me right off. However, last night I went along to a networking event held by Bigwigs London in the Wandsworth area which made my networking fears disappear. Bigwigs is a social networking group that arrange monthly meetings for women living in south west London who run their own businesses. The goal is to increase sales & revenues for all those involved. I left the meeting having had a free sample of some business coaching from one of the bigwigs members, feeling much more positive and motivated about my work and goals. If you are interested in finding out more about bigwigs, please click here, or perhaps you would like to browse the Mai Pearls pearl jewellery collection, the click here.
Posted: May 6, 2009 02:47 PM
May 05, 2009
Can a girl ever have too many earrings?
Absolutely not! And Mai Pearls knows this fact which is why for the time being they have dedicated their sale page to pearl earrings only. With 25% off all the pearl earrings on these pages, they make a lovely treat either for you or for a friend. These pearl earrings are end of lines so to avoid disappointment, getting shopping as many styles only have 1 left in stock. Click here to view all the sale pearl earrings.
Posted: May 5, 2009 11:33 AM
May 01, 2009
Bishops Waltham Palace Garden Fair
Mai Pearls will be selling their pearl jewellery at Bishops Waltham Palace Garden Fair, this Sunday 3rd May from 10am - 4pm. Come and enjoy a fun day out with the family - a perfect credit crunch solution to the bank holiday weekend. Don't forget that Mai Pearls always has a sale rail on their stand so you never know what bargins could be had!
Posted: May 1, 2009 12:10 PM