Registered tracked shipping € 3.50 within Ireland, Uk € 5.00, europe € 8.50

A Guide To: Freshwater Pearl + Baroque Pearl Jewellery

July 25, 2022

A Guide To:  Freshwater Pearl + Baroque Pearl Jewellery - Lulu + Belle Jewellery

 

Jewellery Made from Freshwater Pearls 

Pearl jewellery is completely timeless and is a staple in many wardrobes, whether you are dressing up or down.  We believe that the beauty of pearls shouldn't be kept for special occasions only and that pearls can be a modern accessory worn and loved by anyone.  We only use natural gems to make our pearl jewelry collection which are sustainably grown. The stone is loved for it's gorgeous lustre and comes in a huge variety of shapes and sizes - making it the perfect choice for gorgeous earrings, luminous bracelets and everday necklaces - both delicate and statement as well as birthstone charms. 

What are freshwater pearls ?  

Freshwater pearls are pearls that are formed in freshwater environments - such as lakes and rivers, rather than the sea.  Pearls that develop in mollusks in these freshwater environments are known as freshwater pearls. Mollusks are living creatures such as oysters, mussels or clams.  A pearl is formed when an irritant such as grain of sand or piece of shell, becomes embedded in a particular species of mollusk. The mollusks secretes a protective liquid around the irritant and over time the layers of this liquid build up and eventually become a pearl. 

This can happen naturally but can also be cultivated such as on pearl farms. Natural pearls are more rare than cultivated pearls and are therefore more expensive.  

Freshwater pearls are the most commonly produced type of pearls and come in a huge variety of colours, shapes and sizes.  

What's the difference between Freshwater vs Saltwater Pearls ? 

Saltwater pearls are formed in the same way but by mollusks that live in a marine environment or some other salt water.  Saltwater pearls are most often produced by oysters and need the salt water to be formed.  Cultivated saltwater pearls often have a completely smooth and round shape.  Pearls that form naturally in saltwater can have a more irregular shape, similar to freshwater pearls.  

Baroque pearl pendant lulu and belle jewellery

What are Baroque Pearls ? 

Baroque pearls are any pearls that have an irregular and unique shape rather than a perfectly round shape.  They often have a beautiful high lustre making them popular with jewellery designers.  Baroque pearls can be freshwater or saltwater and nearly all freshwater pearls are baroque pearls - as they have a non-uniform shape.  Baroque freshwater pearls come in a huge variety of shapes including completely irregular - meaning no two pearls are the same. Some of the variety of pearl shapes include teardrop pearls - which have the shape of a teardrop, potato pearls - which have an almost oval shape and rice pearls which are long and shaped like a grain of rice.  

What type of pearls do we use in our jewellery at Lulu + Belle ? 

At Lulu + Belle we use a number of different types of cultured freshwater pearls in our jewellery.  For our birthstone charms and many of our necklaces we use freshwater potato pearls - such as in our leafy birthstone earrings.  For some of our delicate necklaces and earrings we use teardrop freshwater pearls, such as our gold or silver crystal and pearl earrings. We also use beautiful and unique nugget baroque pearls for our pearl pendant and matching earrings, which are all completely unique... while we match the general shape of the pearls for earrings - no two pearls are exactly the same making your jewellery completely unique. 

Double pearl bracelet - the two of us 

Are baroque pearls genuine pearls ? 

It's very rare to find completely perfectly shaped pearls - while baroque pearls are more readily available.  Baroque pearls are real pearls but at a more affordable price point and can be made into beautiful delicate and statement jewellery that is accessible and wearable.  

How to take care of your pearl jewellery ? 

The best way to take care of your pearl jewellery is to give it an gentle wipe with a soft cloth after wearing it to remove any oils or dirt that may have deposited on the pearls.  It's best to avoid contact between your pearls and perfumes, lotions or sun screen as these may damage your pearls over time and make them dull and less shiny.  Put on your pearl jewellery after you have applied creams or perfumes to avoid damaging your jewellery. 

You can find our full collection of pearl jewellery here




Leave a comment

Comments will be approved before showing up.


Also in The Journal

We Are Hiring - Two Roles - Customer Care Assistant and Freelance Content Creator
We Are Hiring - Two Roles - Customer Care Assistant and Freelance Content Creator

April 19, 2024

We are delighted to offer two positions as follows - a customer care and dispatch assistant and freelance content creator.  Customer Care, Shipping, and Dispatch Assistant. 4 - 5 Days a Week  Job Description: Join our team as a Customer Care, Shipping, and Dispatch Assistant, where you'll play a crucial role in delivering exceptional service to our valued customers and ensuring smooth and efficient order fulfillment processes.

Continue Reading

We are Hiring - Jewellery Maker and Ecommerce Assistant
We are Hiring - Jewellery Maker and Ecommerce Assistant

January 15, 2024

We are looking for a jewellery maker to join our small ecommerce and retail team, in Skerries, Co Dublin.  The ideal person will be an outgoing self-starter with a range of jewellery making skills including soldering, basic wire wrapping, finishing and polishing jewellery and finishing castings.  While training will be provided on our products, we are looking for somebody who is used to having tools in their hands and is able to hit the ground running. 

Continue Reading

November Gift Ideas
November Gift Ideas

November 03, 2023

November is a month of transformation, as autumn is in full sway with moody auburn and vibrant orange leaves flying across the crisp air, a sense of magic starts to envelop the nature around us. If you have a loved one with a November birthday  and would like to bestow them with a little token to show them how much they mean to you, we have picked out some of our favourite pieces.

Continue Reading