ABOUT MY PEARLS
From the deep woods to the world
LusterWear started from the desire to publish my work to a wider audience. Originally intended to showcase and feature my paintings and pottery, I decided to include my jewelry designs as well. During my search for a viable platform I came across Etsy.
I liked the idea of a community of makers all accessible in one place.
Having lived in Kentucky, California, Minnesota, New York, South Carolina, Delaware, and Texas my influences are diverse domestically, and internationally varied due to my extended family.
I source my material from all over the world. Pearls, pigments, mixed media elements, or clay, all are international in origin by necessity. We live in a connected and interconnected world and I have always emphasized that in my work. All sources are environmentally responsible; I rarely purchase wild-caught pearls and pride myself on ethically sourcing my materials.
LusterWear started from the desire to publish my work to a wider audience. Originally intended to showcase and feature my paintings and pottery, I decided to include my jewelry designs as well. During my search for a viable platform I came across Etsy.
I liked the idea of a community of makers all accessible in one place.
Having lived in Kentucky, California, Minnesota, New York, South Carolina, Delaware, and Texas my influences are diverse domestically, and internationally varied due to my extended family.
I source my material from all over the world. Pearls, pigments, mixed media elements, or clay, all are international in origin by necessity. We live in a connected and interconnected world and I have always emphasized that in my work. All sources are environmentally responsible; I rarely purchase wild-caught pearls and pride myself on ethically sourcing my materials.
Pearl grading
In jewelry I work mainly in pearls and fine gems in 14kt gold settings. There is no universal agreement on pearl grading. The following grading for pearls is generally accepted in the industry:
AAA: The highest-quality pearl, virtually flawless. The surface will have a high luster and at least 95% of the surface will be free from any type of defect.
AA: The surface will have a very high luster and at least 75% of the surface will be free from any type of defect
A: This is the lowest jewelry-grade pearl, with lower luster and/or more than 25% of the surface showing defects
SHAPE
Spherical: round or near round
Symmetrical: pearls that look the same on each side if you divided them in half
Baroque: irregularly shaped
GIA PEARL COLOR CLASSIFICATION CHARACTERISTICS
Body Color: the dominant overall color of a pearl
Overtone: One or more translucent colors that appear over a pearl's body color
Orient: Iridescent, rainbow colors shimmering on or just below a pearl's surface
LUSTER
This is the most important quality in evaluating the beauty of a pearl. The iridescence, the life of the pearl, the shimmer, glow, and luminosity of the pearl all come together here. Luster is closely related to orient.
Excellent: reflections are bright and pinpoint sharp
Good: reflections are bright but not as sharp, slightly matte finish
Fair: reflections are hazy and blurred
Poor: reflections are diffused and appear chalky and dull
SURFACE QUALITY
Clean: virtually blemish free
Lightly Blemished: minor surface irregularities
Moderately Blemished: noticeable surface irregularities
Heavily Blemished: obvious surface irregularities Grading systems for gems vary according to their use. Gems that are used for beads are usually of lower quality than gems used in rings, earrings, etc.
AAA: The highest-quality pearl, virtually flawless. The surface will have a high luster and at least 95% of the surface will be free from any type of defect.
AA: The surface will have a very high luster and at least 75% of the surface will be free from any type of defect
A: This is the lowest jewelry-grade pearl, with lower luster and/or more than 25% of the surface showing defects
SHAPE
Spherical: round or near round
Symmetrical: pearls that look the same on each side if you divided them in half
Baroque: irregularly shaped
GIA PEARL COLOR CLASSIFICATION CHARACTERISTICS
Body Color: the dominant overall color of a pearl
Overtone: One or more translucent colors that appear over a pearl's body color
Orient: Iridescent, rainbow colors shimmering on or just below a pearl's surface
LUSTER
This is the most important quality in evaluating the beauty of a pearl. The iridescence, the life of the pearl, the shimmer, glow, and luminosity of the pearl all come together here. Luster is closely related to orient.
Excellent: reflections are bright and pinpoint sharp
Good: reflections are bright but not as sharp, slightly matte finish
Fair: reflections are hazy and blurred
Poor: reflections are diffused and appear chalky and dull
SURFACE QUALITY
Clean: virtually blemish free
Lightly Blemished: minor surface irregularities
Moderately Blemished: noticeable surface irregularities
Heavily Blemished: obvious surface irregularities Grading systems for gems vary according to their use. Gems that are used for beads are usually of lower quality than gems used in rings, earrings, etc.