Triple Strand Crystal and Pearl Bracelet

A Swarovski crystal bicone and freshwater pearl bracelet in fresh pink and jet.

Price: $44.00

Three delicate strands of sterling silver strung with pink and jet Swarovski crystal beads and freshwater pearls create a bracelet that shimmers with light. Let this handcrafted jewelry piece become the striking focal point of a favorite ensemble. Give as a precious gift or buy for yourself.

What are Freshwater Pearls?
Freshwater Pearl Basic Facts
The very first freshwater pearls were cultured in Japan in the 1930's when Japanese farmers began experimenting with the mussels living in the freshwater body of water - Lake Biwa. The unusual colors that resulted from these mussels astonished the farmers and the pearls quickly found their way into the jewelry market. Apart from a wider color spectrum, freshwater pearls are intrinsically stronger than natural pearls because they are naturally coated with additional layers of the luminous substance technically referred to as nacre.

Freshwater pearls come in a variety of shapes including round, ovoid, button shaped and the familiar grain-of-rice shape. Colors range across the spectrum of white, cream, rose, peach, lavender, golden, red, bronze, blue, and brown. Black cultured pearls are dyed to achieve a dark tone similar to the famed natural black pearl. Value of freshwater pearls is based upon millimeter length rather than weight. Though some freshwater pearls are still produced in Japan, and a small amount are produced in the USA, it is the Chinese abundance of freshwater pearls that makes them readily available to the jeweler and the jewelry lover at a truly affordable price.

Pearl Lore and Legends
It is likely that the first pearls were discovered by man in his quest for food along the seashores of the world. It may well be that pearls were among the very first substances ever used in the making of personal jewelry. One of the oldest known pieces of pearl jewelry is a necklace that was worn by a Persian noble woman some 2000 years ago.

In China, black pearls are surrounded with particularly strong myths which dictate that pearls originated in the minds of dragons who had to be slain in order to harvest the pearl. Another dragon myth tells of pearls falling like rain from the sky when dragons battled one another. Chinese mythology attributes strong powers of protection to pearls, and pearls are said to bring luck, love and fortune to the wearer.

Ancient Greek and Roman peoples' imaginative explanation of the origins of pearls include a theory that they were formed when raindrops fell into mussels, and an even lovelier legend comes to us from Ancient Persia where it was said that pearls occurred where rainbows met the earth. Additionally, any irregularity of shape in the pearl was attributed to the disturbance of thunder storms.

In the Western world, pearls are commonly associated with love and marriage and have been a customary wedding gift from groom to bride for centuries. Freshwater pearls are considered an appropriate gift for a couple's first anniversary, and pearls are the June birthstone.

Care of Your Freshwater Pearl Bracelet
Though cultured pearls are stronger than natural ones, they still require special care. Cosmetic buildup from lotions, perfumes or hair spray will dull the luster of your freshwater pearl jewelry, so clean it from time to time with a soft cloth. Wipe gently! The cloth may either be dry, or slightly dampened. Allow pearls to air dry if you moisten them.

If your freshwater pearl jewelry becomes dirty looking, clean with a very mild soap. Do not use detergent and never use any type of abrasive cloth or polisher to clean with. Store this freshwater pearl bracelet or other pearl jewelry in a soft cloth bag or cloth-lined, padded jewelry case and keep it away from other, hard gems like diamonds which might scratch the surface of the pearls.

The pink and jet Swarovski crystals in this handcrafted cultured pearl bracelet pick up the light and shadow of the freshwater pearls and the twinkle of the crystal provides an intriguing contrast to the famous luster of the pearls. Each pearl and crystal bead has been individually selected for beauty and quality by the jewelers of Two Cat Studio.