Pearls are probably the most classic kind of jewelry for any woman. They are classy and today they are not very expensive. A simple piece of pearl jewelry can highlight any outfit that a woman wears; it can make it look classy instantaneously. In the earlier years pearls used to be considered jewelry only for the very rich but today they are affordable to almost anyone making them trendy jewelry for the 21st century. The regal air however, that is associated with pearls still remains even today.

A lot of nature and a bit of myth – what goes into the making of a pearl?

The formation of a natural pearl is a bit of magic. A pearl is formed by an oyster when a foreign object such as a grain of sand enters it. This foreign object is covered with nacre and with time it gets shaped into a pearl. However this does not always occur. And this was the reason that pearls were expensive in the years gone by. There is a lot of myth associated with the formation of a pearl as well. The ancient Chinese civilization believed that pearls fell from the sky every time dragons fought in the clouds. The Romans believed that gifts of pearls put you in the good graces of goddess Isis.

Cultured pearls

Today pearls are affordable to almost everyone. This is because there are dedicated pearl farms that aid the formation of pearls and in large quantities. In the pearl farms, a tiny piece of mother of pearl is placed inside the shell of the oyster to aid the formation of the pearl. These farms are what have helped lower the price of pearls today making them affordable options for trendy jewelry. The pearl farms of Japan are the original farms but because of the immense problems with water they are limited in their production capabilities. Today China is at the top for producing cultured pearls.

Trendy jewelry but fragile

While pearls make for excellent trendy jewelry you need to keep in mind that they are extremely fragile. This is because they are made out of natural substances. Proper care is the most important aspect of trendy jewelry made of pearls and it is required to ensure that you pearls last you a long time.

Care for pearls

Now that you have got your hands on those pearls to use it as a piece of trendy jewelry, here's what you need to know in order for them to last. Always put your pearls on just before you leave the house. This will ensure minimum damage to them while dressing up especially since they are very fragile. Any kind of alcohol, like perfumes, hairsprays, deodorants and make up should be kept far away from your pearl jewelry as they can cause a lot of damage to the pearls. They should also be kept away from water as they tend to absorb water and begin to expand, thus braking away from the string on to which they are attached. Dirty pearls should be cleaned with a soft cloth and if your pearls begin to lose their sheen don't fret, just start wearing them and the sheen will return.