CARE, VALUE AND SALE OF PEARLS 179 



cover, such as jewelers use to hold the works of a 

 watch. 



There are some commodities which are so regular in 

 price and so continually and universally in demand that 

 the price is uniform and all know the value of the 

 articles. 



The value of pearls, however, is influenced hy such a 

 large number of conditions and combinations it is impos- 

 sible to establish a standard of value that can be relied 

 upon in- all cases. The value of pearls depends upon the 

 luster, tint or color, shape, size and the degree of perfec- 

 tion. 



These virtues furnish a great variety of intricate com- 

 binations, and the best connoiseur of gems is often con- 

 fused as to the exact value of a pearl. The great va- 

 riety of colors of our fresh-water pearls makes the prob- 

 lem of value even more complex. 



In addition to these circumstances the fact that there 

 is no other pearl just like the one to be valued, makes 

 it impossible to be guided by precedent, and then as a 

 final result, the buyer and seller must agree on a price. 



Pearls that are absolutely perfect are very rare and 

 bring a high price. Those which are imperfect do not 

 command a high price unless they are nearly perfect or 

 of an unusually large size. 



Pearls are classified as pearls, baroques and slugs. 



The ones which are classed as pearls are : The Round 

 or Ball Pearl, the Pear Pearl, the High Button Pearl, 

 the Low Button Pearl, the Egg Pearl, the Barrel Pearl 

 and the Seed Pearl. 



