The Pearl Book - the Definitive Buying Guide : How to Select, Buy, Care for and Enjoy Pearls

Finally! Everything you need to buy beautiful pearls with confidence.With today's finest cultured pearls rivaling diamond, ruby, emerald, and sapphire in terms of popularity, rarity, and price, more and more people are searching for a reliable source of information to guide them in the fascinating and complex world of pearls-natural, cultured, and imitation.This comprehensive, authoritative guide tells readers everything they need to know about pearls to fully understand and appreciate them, and avoid any unexpected-and costly-disappointments, now and in future generations.Special Feature: Exclusive interviews with the world's leading authorities on pearls, who offer "insider" insights and advice.Selected contents:The rich history and romance surrounding pearls.Differences between natural, cultured, and imitation pearls, and ways to separate them.The 5 factors that determine pearl value.Retail price guides.How to judge pearl quality, including tips on how to see differences with the naked eye.How to wear and care for pearls.Magnificent pearl creations from the world's leading jewelers.Comparisons of all types of pearls, in every size and color, from every pearl-producing country in the world.What to look for, and what to look out for: How to spot fakes.Treatments: Good and bad.Important resource information, including pearl glossary, size charts, sample lab reports, and more...

Antoinette L. Matlins, P.G., is an internationally respected gem and jewelry expert, author, and lecturer. Her books are widely used throughout the world by consumers and professionals in the gem and jewelry field alike. A popular media guest, she has been seen on ABC, CBS, NBC, and CNN, educating consumers about gems and jewelry and exposing fraud. In addition, Matlins is active in the gem trade.