Baroque pearls, what are they: a natural marriage or a source of inspiration?

What is this?

Dedicating an article to this extraordinary stone, it should immediately be noted that in the name Baroque pearls the emphasis in the word is placed on the second syllable, emphasizing its similarity with the chic Baroque style. In fact, you can admire not only the perfection of the forms of natural pearls. Their non-standard varieties are no less beautiful. In the form of drops, repeating the shape of a pear, ellipsoidal, button-shaped, similar to tablets or capsules - this is not a complete list of possible options. And each of them is the basis for imagination, a material that allows you to create extraordinary decorations.

The origin of baroque pearls is no different from classic ones. Once inside the oyster shells, any grain of sand or other solid particle is perceived by the “hostess” as an enemy. She tries to get rid of it by releasing a special pearlescent liquid. When its first layer petrifies, the oyster repeats its actions again. Thus, the pearl “grows”. The unevenness of deposits is the reason for the lumpy surface of pearls. The rate of its growth is extremely insignificant. Over the course of a year, the diameter increases by 3.2 - 4 mm. It takes tens of months to form a pearl that is used for jewelry.

Many people believe that baroque pearls are a waste. But that's not true.

Each baroque pearl is unique. It has its own shade of color, its own shape and size. That is why it is much more difficult to create a multi-component decoration from such material, and even more so, a set. Irregularly shaped pearls are also called “baroque” for short, which clearly emphasizes their luxury and belonging to luxury items. Among them are also famous stones. This is the “Pearl of Hope”, whose weight was 90 g, and the color can change from whitish to golden with green. Measuring just over 50mm in length, its largest cross-sectional dimension is 114mm and its smallest is 83mm. Another exclusive is “La Peregrina”. Its literal translation is incomparable. It has a perfect pear shape, weighs almost 6.5 kg and has a diameter of 23.8 cm. It is painted “La Peregrina” in pure white, which emphasizes its perfection. The Guinness Book contains information that the price of this stone is 40 million dollars.

History of appearance

The formation of a pearl in natural conditions sometimes takes several decades. Artificial cultivation significantly reduces the time frame. In this case, the process of mineral formation is identical to the action occurring under the influence of natural factors with the only difference being the artificial placement of the core of the future pearl into the shell of a mollusk.

The oyster's response is to produce nacre, which begins to cover the base in a thin layer. The more layers, the richer and purer the shade of natural “sea stone”. If the color of a pearl depends on the type of mollusk, then the shape depends on the location of the nucleus, the ribbing of the shell walls and the presence of foreign bodies.

Baroque pearls are most often formed when they develop in the area of ​​the valves or when the mineral comes into contact with the inner walls of the shell. The larger the contact area, the more unusual the shape of the “final product”. Pearls of this type can be cultivated in both sea and fresh water conditions.

This variety owes its name to the style of the same name. Barocco means baroque in Italian and unpolished in Portuguese. Raw pearls of unusual shape, but amazing texture and shine, quickly gained popularity in high society.

Earrings, pearl necklaces and pendants set in precious metals were made from pear-shaped and teardrop-shaped stones. Each such product was unique, and the history of the most famous of them is closely connected with the fate of great personalities: Cleopatra, King Philip II of Spain, Elizabeth Taylor.

Be sure to watch: Heliotis - a magic stone: fact or fiction?

Varieties

Baroque pearls are not monotonous stones with identical properties. There are several groups of them, among which sea pearls are the most common. Looking at them, you can distinguish the silhouettes of animals or their parts: the wings of birds, the heads of horses, frogs, dog teeth, fragments of the human body and others. Such pearls have a specific name: paragons. Many people associate magical properties with them and attribute miraculous effects.

Helpful information

Paragons are ideal for use in jewelry as accents. They are often decorated with other, smaller gemstones and framed in gold.

By origin, baroque pearls, in addition to sea pearls, can be river or freshwater. Both varieties are of natural origin.

Among them, experts identify the following minerals:

• Akoya sea pearls (color white, less often grayish, golden with green, pinkish-silver, size - from 2 to 11 mm, shape varies from round to irregular);
• South sea pearls (more than 10 mm in diameter, have a magnificent color);
• Tahiti pearls (from 8.5 mm, available in black, possibly with a blue or green tint). The dark purple options are great.

Baroque pearls can also be of artificial origin. The stones are grown in special laboratories, where they are provided with conditions that are as close to natural as possible. The process involves a live oyster. She is the donor, from whom a little mantle is cut off to accommodate the grain of sand. Subsequently, the oyster “works” in artificial conditions, as in a natural reservoir.

A striking example of such work is Mallorca pearls. Many people know what Baroque and Majorca pearls are. It is almost impossible for a non-professional to distinguish between them. This stone is produced in Spain, on the island of Mallorca, where the name comes from.

NON-PEARL PEARL

Separately, it is worth focusing on non-pearl pearls. It is not directly related to Baroque, since it basically has a regular shape. But the lack of pearl shine in the beads does not allow them to be classified as classics.

Melo melo pearl (“flaming pearl”)

These rare pearls are created by large Melo-Melo snails that live off the coasts of Thailand, Vietnam, Myanmar and Cambodia. Snails simply do not produce nacre, so not all experts consider melo beads to be pearls. However, the largest gemological organizations in their certificates classify Melo as a pearl with the “non-pearl” mark.

Melo melo pearl

We recommend: AKOYA PEARLS: description, authenticity, cultivation

Pearl quahog

It is also classified as a non-pearl pearl.

Quahog comes from the shellfish Venus mercenaria, which is typically used for food rather than jewelry.

Pearl quahog

Properties

In addition to the remarkable appearance of baroque pearls, lithotherapists also pay attention to a number of its properties. In India, for example, it symbolizes prosperity, in Europe, according to legend, it gives eternal youth and long years of life. According to Chinese beliefs, the one wearing baroque pearls is always kind and merciful. He gives the warmth of his soul to everyone around him.

Magical

Irregularly shaped pearls cause magical fears for many. Like everything incomprehensible and non-standard, such pebbles are alarming and surrounded by speculation. So, there is an opinion that it is undesirable to give them as a gift for a wedding. If such a necklace breaks, the marriage will not be strong.

You can only accept baroque pearls as a gift from a loved one or relative. Otherwise, it can complicate life and create big problems.

At the same time, such men's jewelry, according to legend, can bring success in business. They protect strong-willed people and help them achieve their goals.

It is better for a girl to receive baroque pearl gifts in pairs, for example, a necklace and bracelet or earrings and a necklace. These are the recommendations of astrologers.

Healing

What are Baroque pearls in terms of their beneficial properties? This is a faithful defender of human health. If the stone becomes tarnished, there is a risk of getting sick. On the other hand, pearls can improve memory, help with sclerosis, and normalize basic physiological processes in the central nervous system. Useful for the normal physiology of the liver and kidneys, and can normalize blood pressure.

Powder made from pearls is useful for treating eye diseases and can also exhibit hemostatic properties.

Jewelry examples

Baroque pearls are a noble precious material that combines perfectly with many other stones and metal frames. Baroque pearl jewelry deserves the highest praise. Particularly beautiful of them are:

1. Collar is a necklace made in the Victorian style. Its accent is two threads that fit tightly around the neck and a length of 30-32 cm.
2. Choker - one thread of 35-40 cm. Suitable for evening and everyday wear.
3. Princesses - a thread 42-47 cm long, often complemented by pendants.
4. Matine. Length up to 60 cm. Successfully complements a business suit.

5. Opera. 70-85 cm. Can be wrapped twice around the neck, making it look like a double choker.
6. Rope. More than 112 cm. A constant participant in costumes in the Chanel style.

In addition, earrings, bracelets, and necklaces made with Baroque pearls are magnificent. They have their own romantic character and harmonize well with each other and with jewelry made from other precious stones.

Interesting Facts

You can hear a lot of interesting things about this mineral (in the phrase baroque pearl the emphasis is on the second syllable).

1. The more time it stays on the body, the more beneficial it is. However, you need to know that it should be put on last and taken off first.
2. Before removing the jewelry to its storage location, the beads must be thoroughly wiped with a warm, damp cloth in order to remove negative energy.
3. Pearls need “active” breathing. It is advisable to re-bandage the necklace every 2-3 years, and store it separately from perfumes, household chemicals, and food.
4. The stone does not like dry hot air.

Rules of care

Having become the owner of a unique piece of jewelry, you want to know how to maintain its appearance for a long time. What rules should you follow:

1. Do not store together with other jewelry in one common pile. Stones may become damaged and scratched.
2. Boxes or caskets with separate compartments are suitable for storage.
3. The inner surface of the box is lined with soft fabric.
4. It is prohibited to wear during physical education, sports, or swimming.
5. It is strictly forbidden to decorate yourself for events involving physical labor.
6. Do not wipe beads with alcohol.
7. Ensure that contact with oils is not possible.
8. It is recommended to wear jewelry after applying cosmetics to the body.

Like any mineral, stone can deteriorate. Under what conditions does damage occur:

1. Natural aging. The shine and attractiveness are lost.
2. Mechanical effects on the surface of the stone. Loss of bead integrity is the reason why you will have to give up pearl jewelry.
3. Thread breaks. Necklaces or beads with torn joints or clasps should be taken to a specialist for repair.

Caring for pearls is not difficult, no special knowledge or skills are required, the main thing is to treat jewelry with care and attention.

How to distinguish from a fake?

When analyzing what baroque pearls are, one cannot help but dwell on ways to distinguish pearls of natural origin from fake ones. Vintage style artificial pearls (below in the photo) are also beautiful and aesthetically pleasing.

Helpful information

The popular way is to try a pebble “on the tooth”. When bitten, a natural pearl should make a specific creaking sound. Artificial stone is not capable of this. In addition, the surface of natural pearls is rarely smooth. It has roughness and uneven coloring. A glass or plastic fake is a more ideal reproduction of reality.

Natural oyster products are heavier than their plastic counterparts, so the necklace will be felt on your neck or arm.

Finally, mineral formation is more resistant to adverse environmental factors. It does not fade, does not melt, does not change its primary forms.

The photo shows earrings made of natural baroque pearls.

SECRETS OF A GREAT PURCHASE

The proportionality and uniformity of beads in a piece of jewelry is one of the criteria for its value.

It is difficult to select identical baroque pearls due to the variation in configuration, size, depth and nature of the relief. Therefore, items with well-fitted baroque pearls may cost more than similar items made from regularly shaped pearls.

Authentication of baroque pearls

The original or a fake

Baroque pearls are much more difficult to counterfeit than regularly shaped pearls. The fact is that it is almost impossible to artificially recreate the fantasy surface and characteristic shimmer of mother-of-pearl.

However, if in doubt, you can distinguish artificial jewelry from natural baroque pearls by the following signs:

• regularly repeating surface relief is a clear sign of a fake, since nature does not create identical shapes;
• the surface is too smooth - if you lightly run the edge of a tooth over a natural baroque pearl, you can feel the “sandy” structure;
• a clear boundary between the bead and the upper mother-of-pearl layer - this is only possible in synthetic beads; natural pearls consist entirely of mother-of-pearl and do not have a clear boundary between the inner and outer parts.

Price

Having defined the concept of “Baroque pearls - what are they,” it becomes clear that the price of a natural product cannot be low. This is explained not only by problems in mining and difficulties in processing, but also by the long process of selecting similar stones for making models. If pear-shaped stones are more often used in earrings, then round or oval shapes are suitable for necklaces. It is also difficult to choose a single color scheme that gives the product its unique character.

The cost of the products ranges from one to three thousand dollars, depending on where the pearls are mined, their size and color. Most of the price is for the work of the jeweler, who, when working with such non-standard material, shows real miracles of ingenuity and his professional talent.

A little easier with necklaces. For example, a short pearl necklace with beads up to 8 mm in diameter and the same color can be purchased for $200.

Pearls made by oysters “outside the standard format” can easily be called a work of art. It is not for nothing that they are tied to the charms and luxury of the Baroque style. Those who appreciate originality and flights of jewelry imagination will love them.