Pearl Buying Guide: Fourth Edition
Pearls
of Wisdom on how to evaluate pearls, spot fakes and detect
dyed pearls. Included in this full-color guide are tips on pearl care,
clasps, and creative ways to wear pearls. All types of pearls are
discussed–akoya, black, South Sea, freshwater, abalone, mabe,
blister, keshi, conch, natural, imitation, cultured. The Pearl Buying Guide
was the first book to give consumers details on judging pearl quality and
value. If you’re looking for an easy-to-read, illustrated pearl buying
guide, it’s still the best book available.
by Renee Newman Click to Buy Now
ISBN 0-929975-35-9 / 7" x 9" (18 x 23 cm) / 156 pages
International Jewelry Publications / $19.95 / Paperback
New Fourth Edition, 2005
!
77 new color photographs of pearls, pearl jewelry, clasps and neck pieces.
!
New first chapter on "Pearl Price Factors in a Nutshell"
!
Additional chapter entitled "Creating Unique Pearl Jewelry with
Colored Gems"
! Tips on bridal pearls
!
More information on keshi pearls
!
Additional pearl types such as melo pearls, Kasumiga™ pearls, scallop
pearls, Pteria sterna pearls, and faceted pearls
Reviews
"If you’re thinking of investing in pearls, invest $20 first in the "Pearl Buying Guide by Renée Newman. Even if you already own pearls, this book has good tips on care and great ideas on different ways to wear pearls."
San Jose Mercury News
"With loads of photos to illustrate her points, Newman tells readers how to check a pearl’s luster, nacre, color, and flaws…a gem-dandy guide to picking right-price pearls."
Boston Herald
"An interesting and easy-to-understand guide to buying, evaluating, selecting and caring for pearls and pearl jewelry. The opening chapters point out common mistakes made when buying pearls. Other chapters focus on evaluating pearl types and shapes, luster, nacre thickness, color, flaws, size, and make. Additional chapters cite differences in South Sea, black, and freshwater pearls as well as imitation, natural and cultured pearls. The closing chapters highlight the proper way to care for pearls as well as creative ways to wear them. The many photographs are valuable in illustrating the characteristics of and differences among pearls. Overall the guide is useful to all types of readers, from the professional jeweler to the average patron."
Library Journal
Newman explains how to appraise and distinguish among all varieties of pearls. She takes potential buyers and collectors through the ins and outs of the pearl world, and her guide will best serve those looking to make a considerable investment. She explains why buyers might favor one pearl type over another and how to shop for pearls (e.g., examine the strands on a flat white surface, look at the light reflections on the pearls, etc.). A chapter on versatile ways to wear a strand of pearls offers looks reminiscent of 1920s flappers, Jackie Kennedy and Vegas showgirls. Newman also shares a brief, "unconventional" account of the pearl throughout history, written from the point of view of "The Pearl Family" ("we pearls regret the discomfort we cause to [oysters and mussels] when they are alive"). Quizzes in the back of the book will allow readers to test their knowledge, and copious color photographs enhance the workmanlike text.
Publisher's Weekly
"Accurate, very down-to-earth and practical...The book should serve as a checklist of all the factors that should be considered in a significant pearl purchase: The pit-falls, valuation factors, chicaneries, anything that detracts from the value of all sorts of pearls from Japanese Akoya’s and South Sea giants to abalone "horns," freshwater wings and essence imitations...The book does what it sets out to do:
it educates a buyer in need of education. The author has done a tremendous research job."
Jewelers’ Circular Keystone
"An easily read, interesting, and helpful book on pearls...This book would be a good starting place for a jewellery clerk wanting to improve his or her salesmanship, and would even be a help for a graduate gemmologist seeking a better understanding of what to look for when examining or appraising a pearl necklace."
The Canadian Gemmologist
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