Volume 1 Issue 10
February 26, 2008

Dear Friends,

The city of Tucson housed 47 individual gem, jewelry and fossil shows the second week of February. More than 50,000 people came for the event that began humbly 54 years ago in a schoolhouse. At the Centurion Jewelry show we reconnected with our many friends and designers. Eddie Sakamoto shared that Eva Longoria wore one of his new earring designs on the show Desperate Housewives. Claudia Kretchmer spent several hours patiently showing us the stars through the available telescopes.

South Sea Tahitian Keshi Pearls and Vario Clasp

In Tucson, we saw millions of pearls, of which few were gem quality or of interest. There are fewer baroque shaped pearls and Keshi pearls of the South Sea varieties. The farming techniques are improving, thereby providing more of the round pearls most prized by the average consumer. Along with the scarcity of these pearls is the obvious increase in prices.

Any pearl that is not round or mostly round is considered to be baroque in shape. A Keshi pearl is rare. It is the pearl formed most like the natural pearl. The nucleation process involves inserting a bead and a piece of mantle tissue into the mollusk. If the bead is rejected, the mollusk can build nacre around the mantle tissue. The result is a Keshi pearl which is comprised of mostly nacre. These irregular shapes, along with their prized nacre, give the colorful orient and the depth and breadth of beauty that is the pearl.

The prices of gold and platinum are soaring. It is important for all of you to look at your appraisals and decide whether your pieces of jewelry should be revalued. It is also a good time to gather broken, unused or unwanted jewelry and consider selling it for its metal content. We discretely offer this service to our clients.

We wish you all a Happy St. Patrick’s Day and a Happy Easter.

Thank you again for your patronage and friendship. We appreciate you all.

With love,
Lornie and Rose