Organic Gems
Abalone
These natural shells are found in the Pacific Ocean of the coast of the Western USA and are prized for their blue-green iridescent, lustrous lining.
Amber
Ranges in color from golden yellow to deep orange. Since it is formed from fossilized tree resin, it is extremely lightweight and feels like plastic, but is warm to the touch and produces static electricity when rubbed. It can vary in age from 20 to 60 million years old. Amber can get dehydrated, becoming cloudy or cracked, if exposed for long periods to heat or sunlight. Baltic amber is mostly found off the coast of Poland. But Amber is also found in many other parts of the world with much of the amber used for jewelry coming from the Dominican Republic. Amber can be polished with toothpaste. The ancient Greeks and Romans used it for jewelry, medicine and spiritual healing. And when found with special markings it was worn as a protective talisman.
Coral
Coral is the skeletal remains of marine animals called coral polyps that form amazing and complex underwater living reefs. It has been used in jewelry since prehistoric times. It forms naturally in a variety of colors, including: white, pink, red, blue and black, with red, black and pink being the most valuable. Pink is called "Angel Skin". Coral is especially fragile and should be stored protectively. Coral is porous and should be cleaned gently with a moist, soft cloth. Natural coral usually can be identified by its "wood grain" pattern. Coral is found in many coastal regions of the world but most is found in the Mediterranean Sea or the Coast off Japan and Taiwan. Coral was thought to protect against bleeding, evil spirits and hurricanes. In many countries coral is given as a gift to children since it is thought to protect them. Coral is said to cure madness and give wisdom. Coral is one of the seven treasures in Buddhist scriptures.
Fresh Water Pearls
Mistakenly thought to be inferior to salt water cultured pearls, freshwater pearls occur in mussels the same way that saltwater pearls occur in oysters. An irritant, usually a parasite or piece of grit, enters a mollusk and cannot be expelled. To reduce irritation, the mollusk coats the irritant with the same secretion it uses for shell-building, nacre. Cultured pearls (farm raised), are "impregnated" with a small piece of mantel tissue which disolves while the pearl is being formed, making fresh water pearls 100% nacre, essentially the same quality as natural pearls.
Quite soon after the Japanese had their initial success with cultured saltwater pearls, Chinese pearl farmers experimented with freshwater mussels and introduced their first crop in the 1930s. Freshwater pearls were instantly popular because they formed in colors unseen in saltwater pearls and their luster and luminescent depth rivaled naturals because they, too, were pearls throughout. The term "cultured" is applied to pearls that form due to man's intervention, whereas "natural" refers to a pearl that has formed without man's help.
A great irony of pearl history is that the least expensive cultured pearl product in the market today rivals the quality of the most expensive natural pearls ever found. Over 80% of the pearls on the market today come from China.
Store your pearls in a dry environment separate from other jewelry to avoid scratching. Pearls were once thought to be the tears of the gods. The ancient Greeks believed wearing pearls would ensure marital bliss and prevent newlywed women from crying.
