Cherished Collections Blog Tour ~ My Mother’s Pearls

Hi everyone! Welcome to Depict This! if you are visiting.  ^ ω ^   I am so pleased to be part of Casey’s Cherished Collections Blog Tour; I am a big fan of Casey’s and I think her tour is a really neat idea.  I have so many collections {no really ~ stamps, teapots, teacups, TEA, vintage doilies, books, plush horses & of course, shoes!} that it’s been pretty hard to decide which one to show you all! 

There have been some really special collections put up already, and I finally made up my mind as to what I would share.  I am happy to present one of my cherished collections featuring all of the pearl accessories & jewellery I have gathered together over the last few years.

~ * ♥ * ~ L to R:  My mother’s bracelet gifted to me when I was quite young; eleven or twelve I think?  A necklace I bought at an antique store.  My mother’s costume pearl necklace.  I can’t remember when she gave it to me, but I think it was the first piece of jewellery she passed onto me. ~ * ♥ * ~

My Mom’s pearl necklace is definitely the first piece in my collection and I have had it for years.  I never wore it when I was younger, so it’s been tucked away in a box gathering dust for the better part of my ownership. Thanks to my recent interest in vintage I dug it out and now I wear it a lot because I love pearls.

In my mind, pearls are timeless and classic pieces of jewellery and I love how they make me feel when I put them on.  I always feel elegant and feminine when I wear my pearls ~ like I can take on the world, and then some! There is nothing like feeling pretty and confident at the same time. ^ u ^ ~ ♥

 

~ * ♥ * ~ Picture 1:  Fresh water pearls ~ I bought the necklace in Florence, Italy and the earrings at the Parklea Markets in Sydney.  Picture 2:  Fresh water pearls ~ this tri~strand set necklace, bracelet and earring set was a 2007 Christmas present from my family. ~ * ♥ * ~

Plus, pearls have such an interesting story.  Did you know that saltwater pearls take between 6 to 18 months to develop whereas freshwater pearls can up to 4 to 6 years to grow?  However, saltwater pearls are more expensive than freshwater pearls is that saltwater pearls are grown in oysters and can only grow 1 to 3 pearls at once, but freshwater molluscs can grow up to 20 to 30 pearls in one go. 

 

~ * ♥ * ~ Picture 1:  Freshwater pearl set in a marquise flower; a Valentine's Day present from my darling Husband.  Freshwater pearl set in a fan; bought in Hong Kong. Picture 2:  Some of my favourite costume pearl earrings ~ * ♥ * ~

Saltwater and freshwater pearls also differ in the type of lustre. In appearance freshwater pearls are noted for a softer lustre, a glow that comes from deep within the pearl; whereas saltwater pearls have a more brilliant superficial lustre.

Freshwater pearls tend to be more durable due to thicker nacre{the material pearls are made out of}, which is a good thing as far as I am concerned, because I wear them a lot, but I really would love to be able pass them onto my daughter{if I ever have one!}.  

 

~ * ♥ * ~ Picture 1:  Vintage hair comb bought from Etsy and hair clips from Equip.  Pearl and chain sweater clip made by me.  Picture 2: Glass pearl bracelet made by me and a costume pearl bracelet. 
~ * ♥ * ~

Pearls vary in colour from white to those with a hint of colour, often pink, to brown or black. Each coloration will depend on the type of mollusc and the water where the mollusc lived. Because the nacre is organic, pearls are very sensitive to extreme heat, acids, dryness, humidity and scents.  I don’t put any perfume on my neck when I am wearing my pearls because apparently they can pick that scent up and it isn’t good for them.

 

~ * ♥ * ~ Picture 1:  Pearl and seed bead necklace made by me.  Picture 2: Pearl headbands.  ~ * ♥ * ~

Also, did you know that pearls used to be really popular as an engagement ring jewel until the diamond companies decided to do a huge campaign promoting diamonds as the symbol of forever? 

There is a lot of interesting symbolism and history for pearls.  Pearls are considered to offer the power of love, money, protection, and luck. Pearls are thought to give wisdom through experience, and to cement engagements and love relationships.

Early Chinese myths told of pearls falling from the sky when dragons fought while some ancient legends say that pearls were thought to be the tears of the gods.  The Greeks believed that wearing pearls would promote marital bliss and prevent newlywed women from crying{which would be a great reason to put them into an engagement ring!}.

 

~ * ♥ * ~ Picture 1:  Vintage angora collar embellished with pearls; bought off Etsy.  Picture 2:  Vintage gloves embellished with pearls and seed beads; these are my most recent addition to my collection as I thrifted them two weeks ago.  ~ * ♥ * ~

I must say that I can’t really remember when my obsession with pearls started, but I do know that they are my favourite jewel.  Diamonds may be other girls’ best friend, but pearls are mine! 

I hope you enjoyed this guided tour of my collection.  : )

xox,

bonita