Fortunoff Fine Jewelry
Natural Color Tahitian South Sea Cultured Pearls, 18 Inches
Natural Color Tahitian South Sea Cultured Pearls, 18 Inches
$650
SKU: PNK24115W4
Lustrous colors only nature could produce, these shimmering cultured pearls are a gorgeous medium grey-black hue with overtones of rose and green. Harvested from the lagoons of French Polynesia, they are meticulously matched one by one, then strung and knotted onto hand-dyed silk. Finished to approximately 18 inches in length and 14 karat white gold fish hook clasp. This strand is truly one-of-a-kind; each time slightly different.
- 43 natural color Tahitian cultured pearls, 8-10.8mm
- Unique medium grey to black hues with overtones of rose and green
- Semi-Baroque shapes
- Length overall 18 inches
- 14 karat white gold fish hook clasp
- Hand-strung and knotted on silk in New York
- 400100459
Akoya Pearls - When most people think of pearls, they imagine the fairly round, creamy to white pearls typically cultivated in the saltwater lagoons and bays of Japan. These pearls, sometimes called Akoya pearls, were the first to be commercially cultured. In Akoya pearl cultivation, the irritant introduced into the oyster is a round shell bead, accompanied by a piece of oyster tissue, which stimulates nacre production (this is called "nucleation"). Akoya pearls are most commonly available in sizes ranging from 4 to 9 millimeters in diameter, generally spherical or roundish in shape, and are well suited to all kinds of jewelry as well as strung necklaces and bracelets. In the last few years, cultivation of saltwater "Akoya"- type pearls has been accomplished in China as well.
South Sea and Tahitian Pearls - In the last twenty to thirty years, the culturing process has been adapted to the waters of the South Seas. Here, larger and more exotic species of saltwater oysters are now being cultivated to produce fabulous pearls of up to 20 millimeters in diameter. Naturally colored silver, white, golden, cream and grey cultured pearls are harvested from the waters off Australia, Indonesia and the Philippines. The cultivated oysters from the lagoons of Tahiti and French Polynesia produce vivid natural shades of black, grey, copper, silver, pistachio and aubergine. These beauties have become highly prized, but are still far rarer than other types of pearls, and because of their rarity and the expense of harvesting in far-off places, they command higher prices.
Mabé Pearls - A mabé (or mobé) cultured pearl offers the look of a larger pearl at an affordable price. A half-round implant, with flattened back, is affixed to the inner shell of the oyster. Over time, the oyster coats the exposed surface with nacre. When the oyster is opened, the implant is removed, leaving a thin shell of nacre, which is filled with liquid resin and usually backed with a thin slice of mother-of-pearl. The large surface of a mabé-cultured pearl makes it well suited for use in a ring, earring or pendant.
Keshi Pearls - Occasionally, when a mollusk is opened at harvesting, an additional, non-nucleated pearl is found. This accidental "bonus," which is virtually pure nacre, is called a keshi pearl. Often irregular in shape but generally very lustrous and beautiful, the keshi pearl is very rare, and highly valued. The term "keshi" is often misused to describe cultivated pearls of irregular shape, but true keshi is very rare and valuable.
For more information about pearls see our complete Pearl Guide.
Our exacting standards, meticulous attention to detail, and friendly service ensure that you will always be completely satisfied with your fine cultured pearl selection from EFG Designs.
If you have questions, email us at: service@efgdesigns.com.
Special Care for Cultured Pearl Jewelry
- Freshwater and saltwater (akoya) cultured pearls are often bleached to achieve a more uniform, desirable hue. Many pearls, particularly from freshwaters, are dyed or otherwise treated to create more vivid and interesting hues. These treatments are all permanent.
- Cultured pearls have an organic surface coating (called 'nacre'), which is susceptible to chipping. It requires special care to prevent chipping, cracking or discoloration.
- "Last on, First off." Put your cultured pearls on after applying all cosmetics, hairspray, nail polish or perfume. Similarly, remove them before beginning your nighttime beauty regimen.
- Never wear cultured pearls while bathing, swimming, or working with chemicals. These substances may damage the surface of your cultured pearls, or weaken the silk on which they are strung.
- Use only a clean, soft cloth to wipe your cultured pearls and cultured pearl jewelry after wearing. Store them in a soft pouch, cloth or jewelry box to prevent scratching by other jewelry.
- If your cultured pearl jewelry becomes more heavily soiled, it’s time for a more thorough professional cleaning and restringing. Strung necklaces and bracelets, when worn often, should be restrung at least every few years.
For more information on jewelry care see our complete Jewelry Care Guide.
If you have questions about how to care for your jewelry, email us at: service@fortunoffjewelry.com.
General Shipping Information
Find shipping details here.
Enjoy Free Gift Wrapping and Free Ground Shipping Every Day!
It's always been a hallmark of ours. When other merchants charge $5 per package for gift wrap — we offer it for free!
Gift Box
Your jewelry will always ship in a gift box or gift pouch.
Gift Wrap
If you would like your gift box wrapped or to send a personalized gift message, simply choose "Gift Services" during checkout. You can select to have your box wrapped in our elegant silver paper and enter your gift message, which we will hand-write on our gift card.
Contact Us:
From 9:30 AM to 6 PM Eastern Time, Monday through Friday
You may also request a phone appointment.
Our customer service team is here to help you with any question you might have.
1-800-636-7886
service@efgdesigns.com
EFG Designs
For shipments only:
Four Leaf Designs
360 Maple Ave, Unit 132
Westbury, NY 11590
Akoya Pearls - When most people think of pearls, they imagine the fairly round, creamy to white pearls typically cultivated in the saltwater lagoons and bays of Japan. These pearls, sometimes called Akoya pearls, were the first to be commercially cultured. In Akoya pearl cultivation, the irritant introduced into the oyster is a round shell bead, accompanied by a piece of oyster tissue, which stimulates nacre production (this is called "nucleation"). Akoya pearls are most commonly available in sizes ranging from 4 to 9 millimeters in diameter, generally spherical or roundish in shape, and are well suited to all kinds of jewelry as well as strung necklaces and bracelets. In the last few years, cultivation of saltwater "Akoya"- type pearls has been accomplished in China as well.
South Sea and Tahitian Pearls - In the last twenty to thirty years, the culturing process has been adapted to the waters of the South Seas. Here, larger and more exotic species of saltwater oysters are now being cultivated to produce fabulous pearls of up to 20 millimeters in diameter. Naturally colored silver, white, golden, cream and grey cultured pearls are harvested from the waters off Australia, Indonesia and the Philippines. The cultivated oysters from the lagoons of Tahiti and French Polynesia produce vivid natural shades of black, grey, copper, silver, pistachio and aubergine. These beauties have become highly prized, but are still far rarer than other types of pearls, and because of their rarity and the expense of harvesting in far-off places, they command higher prices.
Mabé Pearls - A mabé (or mobé) cultured pearl offers the look of a larger pearl at an affordable price. A half-round implant, with flattened back, is affixed to the inner shell of the oyster. Over time, the oyster coats the exposed surface with nacre. When the oyster is opened, the implant is removed, leaving a thin shell of nacre, which is filled with liquid resin and usually backed with a thin slice of mother-of-pearl. The large surface of a mabé-cultured pearl makes it well suited for use in a ring, earring or pendant.
Keshi Pearls - Occasionally, when a mollusk is opened at harvesting, an additional, non-nucleated pearl is found. This accidental "bonus," which is virtually pure nacre, is called a keshi pearl. Often irregular in shape but generally very lustrous and beautiful, the keshi pearl is very rare, and highly valued. The term "keshi" is often misused to describe cultivated pearls of irregular shape, but true keshi is very rare and valuable.
For more information about pearls see our complete Pearl Guide.
Our exacting standards, meticulous attention to detail, and friendly service ensure that you will always be completely satisfied with your fine cultured pearl selection from EFG Designs.
If you have questions, email us at: service@efgdesigns.com.
Special Care for Cultured Pearl Jewelry
- Freshwater and saltwater (akoya) cultured pearls are often bleached to achieve a more uniform, desirable hue. Many pearls, particularly from freshwaters, are dyed or otherwise treated to create more vivid and interesting hues. These treatments are all permanent.
- Cultured pearls have an organic surface coating (called 'nacre'), which is susceptible to chipping. It requires special care to prevent chipping, cracking or discoloration.
- "Last on, First off." Put your cultured pearls on after applying all cosmetics, hairspray, nail polish or perfume. Similarly, remove them before beginning your nighttime beauty regimen.
- Never wear cultured pearls while bathing, swimming, or working with chemicals. These substances may damage the surface of your cultured pearls, or weaken the silk on which they are strung.
- Use only a clean, soft cloth to wipe your cultured pearls and cultured pearl jewelry after wearing. Store them in a soft pouch, cloth or jewelry box to prevent scratching by other jewelry.
- If your cultured pearl jewelry becomes more heavily soiled, it’s time for a more thorough professional cleaning and restringing. Strung necklaces and bracelets, when worn often, should be restrung at least every few years.
For more information on jewelry care see our complete Jewelry Care Guide.
If you have questions about how to care for your jewelry, email us at: service@fortunoffjewelry.com.
Enjoy Free Gift Wrapping and Free Ground Shipping Every Day!
It's always been a hallmark of ours. When other merchants charge $5 per package for gift wrap — we offer it for free!
Gift Box
Your jewelry will always ship in a gift box or gift pouch.
Gift Wrap
If you would like your gift box wrapped or to send a personalized gift message, simply choose "Gift Services" during checkout. You can select to have your box wrapped in our elegant silver paper and enter your gift message, which we will hand-write on our gift card.
General Shipping Information
Find shipping details here.
Contact Us:
From 9:30 AM to 6 PM Eastern Time, Monday through Friday
You may also request a phone appointment.
Our customer service team is here to help you with any question you might have.
1-800-636-7886
service@efgdesigns.com
EFG Designs
For shipments only:
Four Leaf Designs
360 Maple Ave, Unit 132
Westbury, NY 11590
