1 82 PEARLS AND PEARLING 



The egg pearls and pear pearls are generally used for 

 pendants and for scarf pins. 



The banded pearls do not command a high price. The 

 band is usually of a dead color and generally extends 

 through all the layers of nacre so nothing is gained by 

 "peeling." 



If the pearls are large and lustrous, however, they are 

 good for some uses and have a value. The barrel pearls, 

 when brilliant and perfect, are valuable, although the 

 shape is not so desirable as the others. 



The yellow fresh-water pearls are usually of little 

 value, on account of their dull or dead appearance, al- 

 though a pearl of a bright, butter cup yellow is very valu- 

 able. 



All light, live colors permit a greater translucency* and 

 consequently have a better luster. , 



The dense colors are not so desirable, although per- 

 fect black pearls are very rare and valuable. 



When two or more pearls are matched in size, form, 

 luster and color or tint, their values are greatly en- 

 hanced. 



The pearls forming a necklace should be of the same 

 luster and tint. Very few realize what large quantities 

 of pearls are necessary to match a long necklace of them 

 perfectly. Besides, great skill is necessary to enable one 

 to detect slight differences in tints and textures. 



Some pearls have imperfections which can be hidden 

 by the setting and while they are not worth as much as 

 the perfect ones they have a good value. 



