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Each pearl type (freshwater pearls, saltwater pearls, Akoya pearls, Biwa pearls, South Sea pearls, Tahiti pearls) has its own characteristics due to the specific forming condition, and the pearl grading factors are normally not considered equal. Knowing pearl types is the precondition of evaluating pearls. Each type of pearls has its own characteristics and valued standards. Among different types of pearls, saltwater pearls are more valuable than freshwater pearls. Natural pearls cost more than cultured pearls.

Luster and Nacre

Pearl luster is the brilliancy and the soul of pearls. This chief evaluating factor separates the inferior pearls from superior and the ordinary from the extraordinary. As a natural attribute, the luster of a pearl depends on the quality of the nacre - its transparency, smoothness and overall thickness as well as the thickness of each of the microscopic layers of nacre. A very thin nacre thickness would reduce pearl luster, color evenness and durability and could never make a fine quality pearl. Freshwater pearls have a very thick pearl nacre. Akoya pearls nacre are the thinnest among all types of pearls.

Surface

Surface imperfections are part of pearls natural texture and proof of the pearl genuineness. Even though a pearl is considered more valuable when the surface imperfections are minimal, people should positively consider them more than negative when evaluating pearls. People always desire perfect pearls without any flaws, but in fact, the longer a pearl is in an oyster, the more possible it grows to be irregular and get blemish.

Color

Pearls come in a wide variety of colors, ranging from white all the way to black. The natural color of pearls results from a combination of body color, overtone and iridescence. The wearer's preference determines what color is the best for him/her. Fashion trends and color demand affects different color pearl price. But it is still important to find a color that is rich and evenly distributed on the pearl.

Shape

Perfectly round pearls are rarest and most valued. Symmetrical pearls are more valuable than baroque. However, baroque pearls, with their various shapes, can inspire talented jewelers or artists and be created into some amazing arts.

Size

The larger the size, the higher the price. But price jumps between pearl sizes are often uneven. Large pearls are more difficult to cultivate because of the large size of the implanted nucleus. There is an increased likelihood that the oyster will reject the nucleus.

Treatment

Most of pearls we see are treated more or less. Pearl treatment is a must process before these beautiful gemstones are put on market. There are many methods to treat pearl including polish, bleaching, dyeing, filling, irradiation, coating and oiling. Treated pearl doesn't mean low quality. People use a exquisite craft to make pearls perfect. That is much more like that a diamond can be call a diamond only after it is cut according to the rock's characteristics.

When Erin Simonetti (Howard County, Maryland, USA) was twelve years old, her Great Aunt made for her a wooden bead loom, much like was seen in Native American Publications. With some beads and string, she found herself beading, any and every chance she could get.

Since there were no books readily available, as there are today, to give patterns and teach techniques, Erin had to devise ways to utilize all the little strips of beads she had loomed! Her idea of 3-D beading came to light! This then created another dilemma of deciding how to secure her creations, decrease and ascend rows to accomplish particular shapes. Erin also purchased a lot of graph paper to plan out her designs and color them accordingly.

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Erin Simonetti always enjoyed graphing large scenes and designs depicting flowers, birds and butterflies. Her first three dimensional necklace was completed early in these times, but today she has proven finer techniques. Erin's goal was always to use glass seed beads, 11/0, 15/0, 22/0 and smaller, create a realistic design, and mold them like clay to make wearable art. Some people have commented that her work looks like painted fabric and not beads! And if you have a look at Erin's work you will understand that they were right.

Erin's college days found her a student at the Maryland Institute of Art, majoring in crafts. Again, there was no outlet, at that time, for beads, so she confined her interests to stained glass and painting. Later, hosting a stained glass class in the evenings for interested friends.

Erin's husband and three children have been very supportive of her "constant beading". Introducing herself to the "beading and festival" communities had been a perfect way to meet others, also interested in creating art through the medium of beads. In this light, Erin has met many "bead lovers" who feel as passionate for beading as she does. Erin has shown her work, as a vendor, in many "jury selected" art shows, been published in magazines and books. Through all her life, Erin Simonetti has continued to perfect her "mind's eye" of beading.

Gallery on MyLovelyBeads.com
 
Website: www.beadsbeadingbeaded.com
 
Email: erin@simonetti.com

As summer arrives, we have a new featured artist. Anna Mikhaleva is unique in her work with both leather and beads, which is her favorite type of design to work on. She also does beautiful work with beads and gemstones. Her inspiration often comes from gazing at the night sky which makes her believe in wonders. This inspiration is brought out in her black & white and dark/light two color combinations.

Anna lives in the Urals, in a small city of Miass with her beautiful teenaged son and daughter. Her beginning in jewelry design and beadwork came when she once went into a bookstore to buy a new book by Brazilian Paolo Koelio (Paulo Coelho), but instead she bought a perfectly illustrated book of Russian beadwork guru, L.Bozhko. From then on, she added beadwork to her list of hobbies, that also includes graphics, reading (fantasy, classical, historical) and listening to music (jazz, ethnic, classical). This hobby has grown into the creation of lovely beadwork that we are honored to share with you.

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Anna's work can be seen at her gallery: leather and beads jewelry.

Another Anna's small gallery: gemstone beaded jewelry.

Contact Anna at anna041620@yahoo.com.

The Ann Arbor Art Fairs

July 16-19, 2008
Ann Arbor, Michigan

This event is the granddaddy of all the other successful art festivals in the country. It is now four official fairs but it all began in 1959 on South University, the original Street Fair. Its' success, proving that artists could find a new marketplace, has since spawned three more concurrent festivals. The four shows are a confederation, sharing city services and keeping the same dates and hours. Over 1200 exhibitors show up ready to meet you. Ann Arbor turns into Art Fair City every July for four days. They include: