Pearls The Queen Of Gems

Pearls are called the gem of Queens and the Queen of gems. As beautiful as diamonds, yet usually less costly, they are the only jewels made by a living creature. What's more, they are versatile and classy whether paired with denim or a little black dress.

A pearl is formed when an irritant, or parasite gets inside the shell of an oyster, or mollusk. To protect its soft mantle tissue, the mollusk deposits layers of calcium carbonate in the form of the mineral aragonite, which is held together by conchiolin, an organic compound. The mixture is known as nacre or sometimes called mother-of-pearl.

To correct a myth: Natural and cultured pearls are both real pearls. Nowadays almost no natural pearls are harvested due to pollution killing off sea life (stopping the production); the dangers of pearl diving; and/or the rise and efficiency of pearl farms. 

The natural pearls sold today are always vintage and therefore pricey because they are scarce and usually inherited.

When natural pearls were the only pearls available only ultra-rich people could afford them, unlike today. Also, oysters were killed to harvest the pearls, whereas today it is in the best interest of pearl farmers to nurture and care for the living mollusk (oysters and mussels). Their livelihoods depend upon it.

Moreover the composition and beauty between natural and cultured pearls are equal. The main difference is cultured pearls are formed by intention and not an accident of nature. Nowadays when a cultured pearl necklace costs over $150,000, it's because the pearls are large, perfect and uniform -- the result of going through thousands of pearls to find.

Cultured pearls are created in saltwater, or freshwater depending upon their source. Saltwater Pearls include the following: 

1) Akoya pearls are grown in Japan and China. They are usually

white or cream in color and round in shape. They tend to be smaller compared to the pearls grown in other regions, ranging from 2mm (tiny) to 10mm (rare) in size.

2) South Sea pearls come from Australia, Indonesia and the Philippines. They are white, cream or golden in color and are the largest in size of all pearls, ranging from 9mm to 20mm.

3) Tahitian pearls are produced in Tahiti, as well as, the French Polynesian Islands. These are the black cultured pearls you see, yet their colors can include grey, blue, green and purple. Typical sizes range from 8mm - 16mm.

$300,000+ undyed cultured pearls at Saks 5th Avenue. I love the research I must do to write these blogs!😍

The other source of cultured pearls: Freshwater pearls are grown in rivers, ponds and freshwater lakes, mainly in China. Today freshwater pearls rival and resemble Akoya pearls. This is due to many improvements during the 1990s in the pearl farming industry leading to greater quality, strength (thicker nacre) and number of freshwater pearls on the market, lowering their price and making them a favorite of jewelry designers and customers alike. 

When buying pearls, there are 5 characteristics to consider:

1) Luster - gives pearls their beauty.

2) Surface (complexion) - includes smoothness and the lack of blemishes. As an article of nature, however, sometimes blemishes add to a pearl's uniqueness and cost.

3) Size - The value of pearls rises starting at 8mm. Over 15mm is very rare and expensive. Fortunately, when I bought pearl earrings, the 7mm size looked more proportional and stylish in my ears than the bigger sizes. So bigger, more expensive isn't always better. Try on different sizes to know what size looks best. Like furniture needs space to create balance in a room, sometimes you need ear to surround and showcase pearl earrings!

4) Shape - There are 8: round, semi-round, oval, drop, baroque, button, pear and circle. Shape is subject to personal taste. Perfectly round pearls are the rarest and take a bit of effort to match, so have an edge in value.

5) Color - There are many hues including white, cream, pink, silver, gold, blue, purple and black. Color is determined by the lip of the living oyster or mussel. Different mollusks produce different colors and sizes.

Although only registering a 4.5 (out of 10) on the Moh's Scale of Hardness, if you take care of pearls they will last several lifetimes. Clean them sometimes (your skin oil and perfume dissolve them); and store them in a soft cloth, or pouch to avoid scratches from other jewelry.

Pearl rings were the first pieces of jewelry my parents give me; and over time a pearl ring, earrings and necklace were the first pieces of jewelry I bought for myself after I began working to look like a grownup at fancy shindigs.

Pearls are beautiful, timeless and budget-friendly. Most of us can afford a lovely set (earrings, ring and necklace) of freshwater pearls without mortgaging our house. Do you own pearls?

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Elizabeth Taylor's Legendary Jewelry

Today I'll do a roundup of 5 pieces of the late actress Elizabeth Taylor's legendary jewelry, excluding her gorgeous emerald suite linked here in a previous blog. She loved jewelry as much as I do but unlike me, had the jet-set lifestyle to amass an exquisite collection. Hers was one of the most expensive private collections in the world. To be sure, the late film star loved jewelry for the all right reasons, not for its bloated monetary value but for the sparkle and beauty of the gemstones enhanced by the master craftsmanship of Cartier, Harry Winston, and Bulgari. During her lifetime, sometimes she invited people she was fond of into her bedroom to show and play with her jewelry. How fun ... and what a woman! So let's take a look at the 5 items I've selected to feature: 

1. The Taylor Burton Diamond (See first 3 images above👆) - At 69.42 carats, originally named the Cartier diamond by the jeweler who cut a massive white diamond into 2 magnificent diamonds, then sold the largest one to 5th and 6th husband, Richard Burton. Cartier said it was one of the most flawless pear-shaped diamonds in the world. The actress asked Cartier to create a necklace (as it was too big to wear as a ring) with smaller pear-shaped diamonds to showcase the large stone. After divorcing Richard Burton twice, Elizabeth sold the diamond in 1979 for $3 million, half of which she gave to charity. I wish I could say, it's in my jewelry box, but its whereabouts are unknown today.

 2) Cartier Ruby and Diamond Necklace, Bracelet, and Earrings - We're looking at unheated red pigeon blood Burmese rubies set with circular and baguette-cut diamond latticework. Given to her by one of the 2 loves of her life, 3rd husband, Mike Todd, and sold by Taylor's 4 children in 2011. The necklace fetched $3,778,500 at auction. The bracelet sold for $842,500, and the earrings for $782,500. 

3) The Mike Todd Diamond Tiara - A late 19th-century antique, the diamond tiara was another gift from Taylor's 3rd husband, movie producer Mike Todd in 1957. Old mine cut diamonds are set in platinum and gold with latticework. The family sold the tiara in 2011 at auction for $4,226,500.

4) - The Elizabeth Taylor Diamond Ring - Formally known as the Krupp diamond, the 33.19-carat Asscher-cut diamond is flanked by 2 tapered baguette-cut diamonds mounted in platinum. Another gift from husband and 2nd love of her life, Richard Burton, the diamond is D color, VS1 clarity, and is said to be Elizabeth's favorite piece of jewelry which considering her collection is really saying something! In 1968 Richard Burton paid $307,000 for the ring, and the family sold it in 2011 for $8,818,500.

5. The La Peregrina Pearl - The La Peregrina is the most symmetrical natural pear-shaped pearl ever discovered. Its original weight was 55.95 carats but in 2013 the pearl had to be drilled and cleaned to secure it to its setting which reduced its weight to 50.56 carats still making it one of the largest perfectly symmetrical pear-shaped pearls known to exist in the world. The pear-shaped pearl measures approximately 17.35 - 17.90 x 25.50 mm. The gem is steeped in history, legend, and allure. It was found by an African slave in the Gulf of Panama in 1513 (who is said to have earned his freedom for finding it) and sent to Philip II {Habsburg} who elevated the pearl to a Crown Jewel of Spain. The La Peregrina became a favorite of Spanish Queens starting with Philip II's 2nd wife Queen Mary I {Tudor} of England. In 1808 Emperor Napolean {of France} made his older brother, Joseph Bonaparte the King of Spain, but 5 years later after Napolean was defeated and Joseph kicked out of Spain, Older Brother took some of the Spanish Crown Jewels, including the La Peregrina pearl into exile, which he left in his will to his nephew, the future Napolean III of France. Later after Napoleon III lost his throne, he sold the pearl to an English aristocrat, James Hamilton, in whose family it stayed until 1969. Actor Richard Burton bought the pearl at the Sotheby's auction for $37,000. Elizabeth Taylor commissioned Cartier to re-design the necklace, setting the La Peregrina with additional pearls, diamonds, and rubies. As I said above, what a woman! It was sold in 2011 by Christie's in the Taylor estate sale for a record-breaking $11,400,000 to an anonymous buyer. The Elizabeth Taylor jewelry auctioned realised a total of $115, 932,000, much more than anticipated.

Elizabeth Taylor, Queen Mary I of England and Queen (Consort) Marie-Louise (d'Orleans) of Spain

As a jewelry lover and regular person, I hope these majestic pieces come up for auction again and find their way into a museum for all of us to enjoy for the price of admission. It's the only way any of us will ever get close to these sparklers! However, if you lived close to Christie's in 2011 you could've stepped into the auction house for a viewing before the auction.

Do you have a favorite?

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In My Jewelry Box

Invaluable, the London auction ehouse, invited me to tell the story of a few pieces of my jewelry -- how the pieces came into my life; what they mean to me; and do I wear, or keep them locked away as keepsakes. I will focus on some ladylike pearls I have. They are as lovely as diamonds, yet more budget-friendly.

I acquired a love of jewelry from my father. We sometimes stopped to peer at display windows of jewelry while out and about. It wasn't the dollar amount that caused us to Ooo and Ahh. My father (and I) loved the aesthetics of the jewelry. With an eye for design and an appreciation for beauty, my dad simply liked the way in which gold and gemstones sparkle and shine. I like the durability of a fine piece of jewelry also. To be sure, no one in our family is overly materialistic, but to mark special occasions, my dad might buy my mom or me a nice piece of jewelry (for a pivotal birthday, or an accomplishment, etc.). Mom had to marry the man to get a nice ring; I didn't have to do much of anything!

When I was 14 years old my dad bought me a 14k gold pearl ring. There was no special occasion. He saw it, thought it was pretty and just wanted me to have it. And because it was a gift from my father, the ring is very valuable to me. In fact, it's irreplaceable. Honestly, I wouldn't take thousands of dollars to part with it, even though such a sum is many times over its monetary value. Perhaps with the ring, my dad taught me ... I deserve to be spoiled just for being me, a lesson of unconditional love.♥ 

Many years later ...

I bought this second pearl ring from Macy's department store during one of the retailer's big blowout sales. By this time, I had decided I favor white gold. The ring was a working girl's splurge, but a practical working girl, who at times needs some bling for dressing up. 

My splurge has a happy ending. Since buying the ring, the price of jewelry has tripled. I'm happy I bought a few pieces before prices rose!

Which brings us around to the pearl necklace at the top of the blog. About seven years ago, I thought it was high time to own a string of pearls, not fake ones, but a real pearl necklace. Some jewelry wearers might consider it matronly and old fashion. I don't! A pearl necklace is a classic that matches perfectly with another old standby, the little black dress.

Here I am at a Manhattan shindig (standing on the right) illustrating the point. I've gotten tons of wear out of that necklace! It seems like neither a string of pearls nor the little black dress will soon go out of style. Both look sharp on everybody!

Same event as above. Chilling at the Minus 5 Ice Bar with a friend.

Finally, to answer the last question posed: My three jewels are to be pulled out and worn every chance I get. None are wildly expensive, though I'd hate to lose any of them. Lock them away for what? In general, I think all material things, including jewelry, should be used and enjoyed!

Invaluable has a jewelry "box" of its own. Their jewels are a bit pricier than my pearls, but browsing is fun and free. And ... we can Ooo and ahh!


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The Kingdom of Württemberg's Royal Jewels

Crown of Wüttemberg, Landesmuseum in Stuttgart, Germany

Our spotlight today is on the royal jewels of the Kingdom of Württemberg. The Kingdom of Württemberg was a German state that existed from 1805 to 1918 (ended by World War I with Germany's defeat). 

The Ruby and Diamond Suite

Today the area is known as Baden-Württemberg. It is 13,804 square miles (or 35,752 square km), which is 1/3 the size of Kentucky in the USA. From 1495 - 1805, the territory located in Southwest Germany was called the Duchy of Württemberg and from 1495 to 1268, Württemberg was a county in the former Duchy of Swabia. So suffice it to say that Württemberg has a long history. What's more, Württemberg was a cultural center in the 19th century, and its major city, Stuttgart, still exists today.

Diamond Jewels including the Wüttemberg Diamond Wedding Diadem (top left)

A majority of European royal families including those in the United Kingdom, Sweden, Spain, Norway, the Netherlands, Luxembourg, Liechtenstein, Denmark, and Belgium are descendants of the House of Württemberg (founded in 1081) because until recently royals only married other royals.

The Württemberg Pink Topez Parure

After World War I toppled centuries-old dynasties (in 1918), the German kings, princes, and grand dukes lost their titles and realms, yet were allowed to keep their castles and wealth including their magnificent jewelry. As time passed into the modern era, sometimes these jewels were auctioned off to raise money; or through marriages and/or purchases ended up on the heads of Europe's surviving royal families. With the fall of more European dynasties at the end of World War II (in 1945), additional royal family jewels were sold sometimes to anonymous rich buyers, and the whereabouts of some of these historic pieces became unknown. 

The Diamond and Natural Pearl Devant de Corsage was created by Emil Biedermann in 1865

Many of the Württemberg jewels featured in today's blog came up for auction at Christie's in 2023, each selling for a hefty sum. You may wonder what makes royals sell their dynastic jewelry: 1), They may need the money for living expenses; 2) Without state functions to host or attend, they don't need such ornate pieces as a sign of power as in the past; 3) Since they no longer have the same wealth or power as when they lorded over a territory, it makes sense to downsize (i.e., no insurance or security to worry about.)

Part of the Sapphire and Diamond Collection.

Diamonds, rubies, and sapphires, oh, my, what pretty eye candy! Which pieces are your favorites? Mine are the diamond jewels -- the necklace and the diamond wedding diadem which I'd wear to something even if I had to create the event! Of course, I love the rubies and sapphires too but think the diamond necklace is more wearable. 

Natural Pearl and Diamond Pearl Brooch (left) and Queen Maxima of the Netherlands (right) wearing the Wüttemberg Ornate Natural Pearl Tiara with a 5-string matching Natual Pearl Necklace and Earrings for the state dinner in Japan in 1914.

Go to Christie's here and here for specific details about some of the Württemberg jewelry sold in May 2023.

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5 Festive Advent Calendars

The coveted Liberty of London Avent Calendar sells out in October, so you're out of luck if you didn't buy one, but all is not lost. Here are several other festive Advent Calendars available that are spectacular without breaking the bank like Liberty's beauty calendar does. The 5 more affordable advent calendars below are also delightful to give or get especially when paired with Black Friday to Christmas Eve promotions always offered by department stores during the season. The final sterling silver jewelry advent calendar (#5 below👇) is the most expensive choice, however, an upcoming sale day will lower its retail price, and then you'll get a lovely variety of elegantly designed sterling silver earrings including a mix of hoops, studs, cuffs, and crawlers. So keep an eye out for option #5 to get cheaper!

1) The Rituals of Advent 3-D Advent Calendar: See above👆, it's a 3D Christmas tree  with 24 items - What's inside:

• Wonder Mask, 0.35 oz. 
• Amsterdam Collection Body Mist, 0.67 oz.
• The Ritual of Karma Body Shimmer Oil, 1 oz.
• Fortune Balms - Repair for giftset 0.17 oz.
• The Ritual of Sakura Shampoo, 1.6 oz.
• The Ritual of Sakura Conditioner, 1.6 oz.
• The Ritual of Sakura Body Cream, 3.3 oz.
• The Ritual of Namaste Anti-Ageing Day Cream, 0.33 oz.
  
• The Ritual of Ayurveda Scrub Glove
• The Ritual of Ayurveda Coconut Milk Bath Sachet, 3.5 oz.
• The Ritual of Ayurveda Rich Body Oil, 1 oz. 
• Travel - Soleil d'Or, 0.5 oz.
• Elixir Collection Miracle Keratin Recovery Hair Mask, 0.67 oz.
• The Ritual of Karma Mild Body Scrub Clay, 2.3 oz.
• Rituals Homme shower foam, 1.6 oz.
• Sticks for Mini Fragrance Sticks for Advent, 2.3 oz. 
• The Ritual of Jing Hand Lotion, 2.3 oz. 
• The Ritual of Jing Sleep Foaming Shower Gel, 1.6 oz.
• Sport Cooling Shower Gel, 2.3 oz. 
• Advent Mini Candle Private Collection - Savage Garden, 0.88 oz.
• Advent Mini Candle Private Collection - Sweet Jasmine, 0.88 oz.
• Advent Mini Candle Private Collection - Precious Amber, 0.88 oz.
• Advent Mini Candle Private Collection - Suede Vanilla, 0.88 oz.
• The Ritual of Ayurveda USA Mini Fragrance Sticks for Advent, 2.3 oz. 
• Spoon 2022

2) Barbor More to Give Advent Calendar - 24 items - What's inside:

• 
  24 Ampoules (2 ml each): 1 DOC Power Amp Hyaluronic Acid, 1 Hydra Plus, 2
  Algae Vitalizer, 2 Perfect Glow, 3 DOC Power Amp Beta Glucan, 3 Active Night, 3 DOC Power Amp Vitamin C, 3 Multi-Vitamin, 3 3D Firming, 3 Lift Express

Skincare that 

• Lifts, firms, tightens, hydrates, retexturizes, brightens, and minimizes lines and wrinkles for a smoother, glowing more youthful appearance.

3) Macy's 25 Days Of Beauty Advent Calendar - 25 items - What's inside:

• Ahava Ahava 24K Gold Mask, 15 mL / 0.51 fl. oz. 
• Anastasia Beverly Hills Mini Mini Lash Brag, 2.5 mL / 0.08 fl. oz. 
• Bareminerals Mineral Veil Setting Powder, 0.75 g / 0.026 oz.
• Buttah Skin Enterprises Sample Charcoal Detox Mask, 5 mL / 0.016 oz. 
• Cacharel Yes I Am, 5 mL / 0.17 oz.
• Carolina Herrera Good Girl Eau De Parfum, 7 mL / 0.24 oz. 
• Chella Mini Manifest Bronze Eyeshadow Palette, 4 g / 0.14 oz.
• Clinique Moisture Surge™ 100H Auto-Replenishing Hydrator, 15 mL / 0.50 oz. 
• Elemis Pro-Collagen Cleansing Balm Deluxe Sample, 10 mL / 0.33 oz. 
• First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Cream, 29.5 mL / 1 oz. 
• Kiehl's Since 1851 Ultra Facial Cream, 7 mL / 0.23 oz. 
• Lancome Advanced Génifique Youth Activating Serum, 8 mL / 0.27 fl. oz. 
• Estee Lauder Advanced Night Repair Synchronized Multi-Recovery Complex, 7 mL / 0.23 oz. 
• MAC Cosmetics Mac Fix+ Stayover, 13 mL / 0.43 oz.
• Origins Mega-Mushroom Treatment Lotion, 7 mL / 0.24 fl. oz. 
• Perricone MD High Potency Classics Face Finishing & Firming Moisturizer, 7.5 mL / 0.25 oz. 
• Peter Thomas Roth Water Drench® Hyaluronic Cloud Hydrating Eye Gel, 3 mL / 0.10 oz. 
• Philosophy Purity Made Simple One-Step Facial Cleanser, 30 mL / 1 oz.
• Reza Be Obsessed Love My Leave In, 30 mL / 1 fl. oz. 
• Shiseido Ultimune Power Infusing Concentrate, 10 mL / 0.33 oz. 
• Sunday Riley Modern Skincare C.E.O. 15% Vitamin C Brightening Serum, 5 mL / 0.16 oz. 
• The Beauty Crop Juice Pot Lip and Cheek Tint - Lychee, 4 mL / 0.14 oz. 
• Tonymoly USA LLC. Plump-Kin Retinol Eye Cream, 10 mL / 0.33 oz. 
• Urban Decay Vice Hydrating Lipstick in Backtalk, 1 g / 0.03 oz. 
• Verb Products Ghost Oil, 17 mL / 0.57 fl. oz.
• Bonus: $10 off your next $40 Macy's Beauty Purchase. Exclusions apply*

4) MAC Bursting With Surprises Advent Calendar - 24 items - What's inside:

• Brow Set Clear
• Dazzleshadow
• 2 Eyeshadows
• Fix+
• Glow Play Lip Balm
• 
  3 Lipsticks
• Liquidlast Liner
• Love Me Liquid Lipcolour
• 2 Mini MAC Lipglasses
• Mini MAC Lipglass Clear
• 2 Mini MAC Lipsticks
• Mini MAC Strobe Cream, 15 ml
• Mini MACStack Mascara
• Paint Pot
• Powder Kiss Liquid Lipcolour
• Powder Kiss Soft Matte Eye Shadow
• Prep + Prime Essential Oils Grapefruit & Chamomile
• Prep + Prime Lip
• Technakohl Liner

5) Sterling Forever 24 Days of Jewelry Advent Calendar Earrings - The beauty companies may have jumped on the advent calendar bandwagon, but traditionally, advent calendars have other goods inside from chocolates and cookies to heartfelt notes with promises of kindnesses. Here's a calendar for jewelry lovers containing dainty sterling silver (a real precious metal) earrings, and they are gifts to keep.

What's inside: 24 pairs of sterling silver and gold-plated sterling silver earrings - a few with freshwater pearls, as well as, one with an artificial pearl, and some with cubic zirconia.

• 15-sterling silver and 9-14K gold plated sterling silver earrings
• Approximate diameter of hoop earrings - 0.87", 0.6", 0.25", 1.4", 0.75", imitation pearl - 2mm
• 
  Approximate diameter of stud earrings - 0.2", 0.3", 0.24", 0.25", 0.28", 0.26", 0.35"
• Approximate diameter of drop earrings - 1.25", 1", pearl - 9mm
• Approximate diameter of ear crawlers - 0.6"
• Approximate diameter of ear cuffs - 0.35", 0.31"
• 1 French hook post closure, 1 friction latch closure, 1 threader post closure, 2 open cuff closures, pinch for the perfect fit, 19 posts back closure
• Heart shape imitation pearl 2.15 mm, drop shape freshwater pearl 8.8 mm, baroque pearls 8.8 mm
• 12 cubic zirconia earrings, 1 created faux imitation opal earring
• Lifetime warranty

The holidays are when we tend to splurge a bit on gifts to make friends and family happy, whether it's an advent calendar of makeup, skincare, candies, or jewelry, the packaging ... i.e., the presentation is as thrilling as the gifts inside. A drawer to open ... a gift to look forward to each day of advent.  

Scrambling for exclusive material things brings little-to-no joy! With these 5 festive and desirable advent calendars, nobody will miss those super expensive, limited-edition, calendars that sell out in October!

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