Earrings are made of materials like metal, plastic, glass, precious stones and beads. Women like to have large collection of earrings. There is a big collection of styles in freshwater pearl earrings with white, black pink and mauve colors therefore, a woman can get variety of earrings and can have more choices. These pearl earrings are made from cultured pearls and set either in 14k gold or 925 sterling silver. These earrings are used for sensitive ears also.

The styles of freshwater pearl earrings are perfect for both formal and casual occasions. You can have different styles in pearl earrings like from simple pearl studs to sophisticated chandelier style, from comfortable lever back to dangling hoop earrings, from glamor pearl and crystal earrings to colorful pearl earrings with other types of gemstones.

According to the color and styles of pearl earrings there are different types of pearl earrings like Bow knot styled 10-11mm white, pink, mauve or black pearl earrings and other type is Tiny 4-5 white, pink, mauve or black pearl earrings. If you start your day by wearing these earrings, they could be your new lucky charm.

There are different types of freshwater pearl earrings like 14k gold freshwater pearl dangling drop earrings which weighs approx 2.4 grams and measure 5mm, and used only for pierced ears. The other type is clustered freshwater pearl gold earrings w 14k posts, which are also used only for pierced ears, measure about 1/2” wide.

The other type is 14k Gold freshwater pearl earrings weighs approx 4.1 grams and measure 3/4”, used only for pierced ears only. The other one is ruby and peach pearl star shaped earring, which has a bright red ruby at the center. These freshwater pearl earrings are made from different shapes of pearls like from keishi pearls to baroque pearls, from coin pearls to round pearls. You have endless choices in terms of shapes of pearls. All these freshwater pearl earrings evoke a gentle beauty.

Ever went to a flea market and the nice old lady makes you a deal of an "authentic" pearl necklace, an offer too good to be true? Then ten seconds later when you're at home showing it off to all your friends for the good price you got it at, and someone just casually notes how such a good deal it was, springing the tiniest thought that maybe you were cheated...Uh-oh. I mean, there are so many fakes out there, is there really a way to know how to avoid them? Fakes can be manmade, plastic, glass, resin, faux, and just plain ol' artificial.

Real pearls can be either freshwater (coming from streams and other freshwater bodies of water) or saltwater (from the ocean). Another annoying confusing thing is there are such things as seashell pearls, which aren't really pearls but shells. Well, today we're here to help you differentiate the real things from the frauds.

Just to be clear, the most natural of the natural-est pearls are white, lavender, or pink. A common color like black is often mistaken to be the natural color of a pearl, but is really dyed. I could name every other fake pearl color, but that's not what this list is about. Just remember, pearls first come out as white, lavender, or pink. Pearls don't come out perfect from an oyster either. Not always at least. Just like snowflakes or babies, no two pearls can be exactly alike. The basics, folks, so if you get too bored to read the rest of my amazing post of the day, just remember these facts as a foundation.

The Destruction Test

For the those of you who want to keep their pearls in the good condition they're in, the title should be enough to scare you away. If you were to slice a pearl exactly in half--egad, tedious stuff--you'd be able to see the true nature of a pearl. A real pearls is composed of layers of nacre, or more famously known as mother of pearl. If you sliced it in half you'd be able to see the thin layers of nacre covering a core. Some fakes and frauds have a core also covered in one or more layers, but the layers usually break away upon the cutting of the pearl. FYI for those of you who haven't realized this, but you won't have a pearl anymore if you did this. Yeah, not too recommended.

Density Test

Flat out: a real pearl will weigh way more than a fake. Unless the fake is glass or something, the real thing will be heavier for its size. Don't do this test alone though if the pearls are heavy.

The Tooth Test

This was the first test I had learned of, and later learned this test isn't the most reliable, but here's the test anyway.

You just rub the pearl against your teeth and supposedly immediately after God will have sent you a message whether or not the pearl is real or not.

Um, no.

Yeah, you rub the pearl against your tooth and the real pearl should feel smooth. Now the background for this assumption is reasonable but equivalent to the past idea the earth is flat. People believe the real pearl is rough because of the layer of narce that make up the imperfect qualities of the pearl, but those are actually just the rare super super natural pearls versus the glass pearls. This test would not work with cultured pearls, which have fewer layers of narce and dyed pearls, which the dye has smoothened the pearl. So you probably wouldn't want to use this test, but it's good to know incase you have a friend who still believes it and needs a "Hello? Earth is round!" Wake Up Call.

Magnification

Kind of like the tooth test, but you can magnify the pearl to see the bumps and imperfect parts of the pearl or read the clasp. By the way, if you buy a 925 sterling silver clasp and want to double check it, magnify the clasp because all 925 sterling silver clasps and stamped.

The Sun Test

A simple test that is pretty reliable is the sun test. Never, will two pearls be EXACTLY alike. Like, seriously, I could see pigs flying first. Under intense light, hold the pearls out and examine them. The pearls should each have their own unique qualities and features, while fakes will look alike. Some more expensive pearls will also look alike, but never the same. Incase you're a bit on the paranoid side and don't mind a triple or quadruple check check out the next test below.

X-Ray

For the those of us who don't mind going the extra lengths, have a certified-gemologist check your pearls. Whether they're cultured or not, the X-ray will let you examine density, layers, and about everything else you'd need to know about your pearl.

Physical Appearance

"Don't judge a book by its cover!" My friend just reminded me of that annoying saying less than a week ago, but thank God, it wasn't "Don't judge a pearl by its cover!" because then we'd all be screwed over by the fakes. The appearance can make all the difference. As I've probably said in every single test and you're so sick of hearing, but real pearls have faults. Another thing is the temperature of pearls. Real pearls versus the plastic types are much cooler to the hand, but versus glass fakes, real pearls will warm to the hand faster.

Dur-Duh-Dur!

All of us have had that one show-off classmate who will just boast about anything they own that is the same as yours but, of course, a thousand times better. Then one day they slip, and you realize, "Liar, liar, pants on fire!" If you saw suddenly the 99cents Store was selling "real" pearls, would you really believe it? Sometimes you just have to put the pieces together and it'll all make sense.

Don't want to go through ANY of the tests and just want a 100% guarantee of real pearls? OrientalPearls.net, selling only real freshwater pearls.

Rock on,
Ally Day

The Agate Beads are the beads having great luster, varied colors and are highly durable. They are well known for their noticeable property of balancing the yin yang energy, healing protection, calming and courage. These healing and other properties of the Agate Beads depend to some extent on the color of the Agate Bead. The color of the Agate Bead ranges from Moss Agate Bead to Botswana Agate Bead. Though, there may be a slight difference, all the Agate Bead have some things in common.

The semi precious agate beads strengthen the intellectual levels and enhance creativity of the wearer. Hence it is considered as a very beneficial and a useful stone for the artists and the students. It is also referred as a good luck stone. The Agate Beads and semi precious stones play a vital role in increasing your internal energy. But, as it is also a grounding stone, it cannot increase the energy every time, but is responsible for energy bursting as and when required by the body.

Agate is a conservation stone that enhances the longevity of the wearer. It is available in shades of blue ice agate, golden agate, moss agate, Botswana agate, blue lace agate, imperial purple, etc. they range in size from 4 mm to 12 mm. they are available on loose temporary strands. Agate beads can be used as spacers in jewelry making designs to make necklaces or beautiful earrings. They are also used in combination with other pearls and beads due to their great color combination.

Jewelry made of Agate Beads can be presented to your loved ones on their special days in life. For e.g. it can be given by a father to a daughter after securing her master’s degree or on her 16th birthday. You can present it your mom on her anniversary or on the occasion of Mother’s Day.

As I have noticed--specifically from the tinkling icicles on my toes--we're still stuck in winter. We're in February, yes, but for some reason my fingers are icy numb and getting out of bed is even more painful (like any of us need that). Maybe some of you have noticed, and if you haven't you have more than half of the world envying you. But besides the freezing coldness everywhere, the hearts and Valentine's, and the fact it's the shortest month, February is also black history month, an FYI for the some of us who didn't know. We've had breakthroughs everywhere, and we're living through one now. Jackie Robinson (first black baseball player), Martin Luther King Jr. (need I say more?), Rosa Parks (who knew refusing to get up could make such a difference), and, of course, Obama. As I've said before, you may not have voted for him, but you've still got to love him. One of his biggest supporters is another famous black accomplisher, Oprah Winfrey.
Oprah didn't meet any fairy godmothers, there was no "poof! Ta-da!" There was hard work. Oprah came from a poor environmental background. Raped at nine and at fourteen, she gave birth to a baby boy who died early. While in school, she was reading in lunch. Her teacher found this so shocking because a willingness to learn from students was completely lacking in that school. The teacher asked her why she was reading. "Because I like to read," she said. This brought on a proceeding effects that would influence her life greatly. Oprah brought on a whole new style of tabloid talk shows. At first criticized for her new techniques, her talk show became a hit. She's now a household name, the highest ranked talk show in the history of television, and an Emmy Award recipient. She was able to launch a new type of communication. She brought on opening up and more intimate side of television. She is arguably the most influential woman in the world.
Once she hit her stardom, she didn't forget where she started. Once you hit big, it's sometimes hard to remember and realize where you came from, your beginnings. During Hurricane Katrina, the Oprah Angel Network raised $11 million dollars to rebuilds homes and help people in need. She has also put 23 black men through college. She has been ranked the richest African American in the 20th century (and once the only black billionaire) and the utmost philanthropic of all time. By Business Week, she has been ranked several times the most philanthropic celebrity and the 32nd most generous philanthropists. She is estimated to have given approximently $303 million(!!!!).
Oprah, MLK Jr., Obama, and so many others have made a difference in black history and world history. Please be sure to take some time to appreciate what these people have done for us and the human race. Happy Valentine's Day everyone!
Want to get a necklace like Oprah's above? Click here.

Rock on,
Ally Day

So what'd you want for Valentine's Day, he asks you.

Some of them are straightforward, some spontaneous, and some forgetful. Any way they are you better know what you want. The dates coming up and telling them/hinting around time is dwindling. I'm sure we have all gone through a Christmas or a birthday where everyone asks you what you want and all you can say is, "I don't know. Nothin' really!" and then five minutes after present opening your thinking "Ooh, that would've been nice!" So here's a little guide for the some of us who are having a little trouble present picking.

Valentine's Day, someone says. Heart, roses, and cupid pop into your head. You're in a ditz. This is the most romantic day of the year to everyone. You're sure to make sure it doesn't pass as an other day and even if you don't have a someone else to spend it with this year spoiling yourself a bit wouldn't be too much of a crime. Maybe you're the girl who likes her presents in season. During Christmas season you want a new warm sweater with snowman decorations to fight the cold. On Valentine's Day you want to see the hearts and chocolates. You want to see the dozen red roses. If you can see yourself like this you'd be into rose jewelry. OrientalPearls.net rose jewelry ranges from delicately carved creations to fun clunky necklaces!

Or something else catches your eye. Another Valentine's Day classic. Hearts, the universal symbol of love. You're ready to present your affections for each other out loud to the world. An elegant matching earring and necklace set of pearls embedded in heart studs might be your choice then.

But then maybe you're the girl who reaches out for the glistening jewelry. You still haven't grown out of that childhood habit of reaching out for anything that sparkles. Now it even influences your taste in jewelry. Hearts and roses are all good, but when something sparkles it plays with the eyes. When it shines, you're entranced, the same effect our snowflake CZ diamond necklace has on other onlookers turning the women pea green with envy and the men in admiration.

What if you're the diva in your taste of style? Maybe you don't have anything at the moment that would really go with the recommended selections above. You want something that will go with absolutely anything. If you put on cowboy boots with your scuba diving suit you want something with an absolute guarantee of still looking good, versatile is what we're saying. If you're the one who likes to make the most use out of your outfits as much as possible you might like our star earrings or butterfly earrings. The start earrings would just look adorable with black boots (and if you don't have any, what a perfect excuse to purchase a pair). Or if you choose the butterfly earrings you could match them up with your whole spring wardrobe and stretch with some summer tops too!

Hey, maybe you didn't like any of the suggestions, or you're still deciding, don't be afraid to roam the site.

Have a Happy Valentine's Day!

Rock on,
Ally Day