There's nothing I like better than a bit of a tan and some great, colorful jewelry to make a summer outfit. Luckily, our homepage this week is in full agreement. Although most people tend toward materials like turquoise or coral, fashion forward pearls are also a great bet for the warmer months of the year.
If you never thought much about where pearls come from, check out the image above. This is a photo from a Tahitian pearl farm--pretty spectacular, right? Tahitian (or black) pearls are found in French Polynesia, and the farms themselves are strategically placed in shallow atolls, just inside a lagoon.
In the picture above, you can see a pearl diver carefully checking the harvest. Whether you like black pearls or any of the wide variety of colors available, there are a few helpful hints for cleaning and storing the precious gems that will keep your jewelry in great shape:
--If you can, try not to expose pearls to a lot of makeup or hand creams.
--You don't need fancy cleaners, just a simple solution of mild soap and water works well.
--Don't use ammonia or harsh detergents on pearls; they are delicate and can get damaged.
--Don't rub pearls with anything abrasive. You can rub off the beautiful nacre (the colored coating).
--Store pearls separately from other jewels. Harder metal or gemstones could scratch them.
--If you have a strand of pearls, check periodically to see if they need to be restrung.
Images via travelwithchallenge.com
