The pearl is one of the ocean's rarest treasures. Since ancient times natural pearls have been used as jewellery and ornaments and the oldest known pearl necklace is more than 4,000 years old.

Pearls were often regarded as having a mystical quality and a life of their own because of their unique glow that seems to radiate from their very centre. In Roman times women would take pearls to bed in the belief that they would assist them to have pleasant dreams.

So what exactly is a natural pearl?

It is an accident of nature. A natural pearl is produced when a minute foreign object, perhaps a tiny living sea creature, becomes stuck inside the shell and tissue of an oyster. When the oyster cannot get rid of the "irritant" it eases the discomfort by coating it in "nacre". Nacre is made up of microscopic crystals; each crystal perfectly aligned with the others so that it reflects light to produce a glow of light and colour.

The pearl is built up of layer upon layer of nacre. The more layers, the more lustrous the pearl. However, because natural pearls are so rare, they are expensive which is why "Cultured Pearls" are a more affordable option.

Cultured Pearls - Giving nature a helping hand.

Most pearls sold today are cultured pearls. These are pearls that are made the same way as natural pearls in so far as an oyster coats an "irritant" with nacre. However the "irritant" does not find its way inside the oyster by accident. This "irritant" that is implanted is actually shell bead in salt water cultured pearls, or, in the case of reshwater cultured pearls, a small piece of tissue, which is implanted by a technician. These techologists then supervise the process so that the oyster produces the best pearl possible by ensuring it has the food it requires and that the water temperature remains constant and free of pollutants. Because there are a larger number of cultured pearls available than natural pearls, it is easier to match pearls that are much the same size and shape. So a necklace of cultured pearls will be more even in shape and colour than one made up of natural pearls.

Imitation Pearls are exactly that.

They are not real pearls. Both natural and cultured pearls are produced by an oyster, however imitation pearls are man-made. A round glass or plastic bead is simply coated in a pearly substance. The best way to tell if a pearl is imitation or not is to place it directly alongside a real one and compare the lustre. The real pearl will have a depth of lustre that the imitation cannot match. An imitation pearl generally will have a surface shine but no inner glow. Also look in the shaded area, in the real pearl you will see a clearly defined reflection, in the imitation pearl you won't.

Types of Pearls

Akoya

Grown in pearl saltwater oysters off the coast of Japan and are one of the most familiar types of cultured pearls. They have a lovely orient and warm colour and rarely reach more than 9mm in size.

Mabe

Large half-round cultured pearls that grow against the inside shells of oysters rather than within the body. Because of their hemispherical shape are less expensive than regular round cultured pearls. They are usually mounted in earrings, rings and brooches.

Freshwater

These are pearls that are cultivated in mussels rather than oysters and are found in freshwater lakes and rivers. Generally they have an elongated shape and a milky translucent appearance.

Keshi

Small, irregular shaped seedless pearls that form naturally in many cultured pearl oysters.

South Sea Pearls

Australian

Rare and valuable large cultured pearls (10mm and larger) grown in the warm waters off the Australian coast. Found in a variety of colours including white, silver, gold and rose.

Indonesian

Lare cultured pearls (8mm and larger) slightly smaller and creamier than their Australian counterparts.

Tahitian

Large gray to black cultured pearls (typically 8mm-14mm) with overtones of reds, blues and greens.

How to care for your Pearls.

Cultured pearls are precious gems and need to be treated as such.

- When storing them in a purse or jewel box place them in a soft gem bag or wrap them in a silk cloth to protect them from being scratched by harder stones, metal edges or other jewellery.

- Don't wear pearls in the shower, in the swimming pool or while playing sport.

- Put your pearls on after you have applied your cosmetics, hairspray and perfume.

- To help prevent discolouration wipe them frequently with a damp, clean cloth.

- Never clean pearls with a harsh detergent or jewellery cleaner. A drop of mild detergent in warm water should be all you need.

- Restring pearl necklaces at least once every two years to keep your jewellery looking its best and to keep your pearls secure. We can assist you with this process.

Remarkably beautiful and naturally captivating, Dreamtime Australian Diamonds originate from the world renowned Argyle Diamond Mine, located in a remote corner of Northwest Australia.

Every Dreamtime Diamond is unique and resonates with the Australian landscape, its stories and legends. Every diamond is tracked so you can be assured your Dreamtime jewellery contains Australian diamonds that are natural and untreated.

The Argyle Mine

Owned in full by Rio Tinto and located in the remote East Kimberley Region of Western Australia, the Argyle Diamond Mine has to date produced more than 800 million carats of diamonds. It is the world's largest producer of natural champagne and cognac diamonds, as well as the very rare pink diamond, which has become Argyle's signature stone and is coveted by diamond experts and collectors globally.

The Argyle lease tenants the traditional lands of the Gija and Mirriuwung people.

A priority in the area is to build a stronger and more robust local economy that is not dependent upon the mine's operation. In 2005 an Indigenous Land Use Agreement and Participation Agreement was set up between the mine and the Traditional Owners of the mining lease area.

This agreement recognises the Traditional Owners as the landlords of the Argyle mining lease and formally establishes a long-term relationship between the two parties, based on a shared desire to build a better future for indigenous communities in the East Kimberley.

This was an important step towards Argyle's sustainability goals and put in place a formal relationship that will help deliver long term economic benefits to Aboriginal communities in the East Kimberley region.

Aboriginal Heritage

The Traditional Owners of the Argyle Diamond Mind are the Gija and Mirriwung people. The location of the Argyle mine is called Barramundi Gap and is a sacred women's site.

Dreamtime or "Ngarranggarni" stories provide a strong belief system through which indigenous people understand their country and their relationship to it.

Jaliwang Ngarranggarni 

Barramundi dreaming story (Mirriwung)

A barramundi lives in the river at Tharram (Bandicoot Bar). One day, a crane fishing for food sees the barramundi and spears it with her beak, but is unable to catch it as the barramundi swims quickly away.

The barramundi travels up the Dunham River, past where the Warmun community is today, and on to Glen Hill where she scrapes off some of her scales as she passes through. Today, these scales can be seen near the Glen Hill community's first gate as white rock on the hillside, most clearly visible in the late afternoon.

Here the barramundi is spotted by some women who try to catch her using nets made of rolled Spinifex grass (a traditional Mirriwung fishing method known as Gelganyem). But the barramundi flicks her tail and jumps over the trap. She escapes between the two hills of Barramundi Gap and heads down to Bow River, where she comes to rest as a white rock. This rock, which can still be seen today, is quite different from all the others at Bow River.

The Dreamtime Story

Diamonds are, without a doubt, one of the world's most beautiful natural resources. Dreamtime Diamonds are imbued with the stories and legends which have danced across the earth above them for millions of years. Which makes them so much more than just diamonds.

Every Dreamtime Diamond is earthed carefully from the Argyle Diamond Mine in the East Kimberly region of Western Australia. These stones are truly one-of-a-kind.

They vary in colour and represent the warm colours and rich mythology of the Australian land. They are all tracked from the ground they came from, so you know absolutely that they are natural and untreated Australian stones.

Dreamtime Diamonds come in a visually striking palate of colours, which has created the perfect platform for the design of Dreamtime jewellery. Dreamtime Diamond designers are inspired by the diamonds' natural warmth, which is reflective of the warmth of the land.

Knowing you have something from Australia that's been in creation for million of years, and specifically from the Kimberly region - that makes owning a Dreamtime Diamond really special.

It is our passion to present to you diamonds of unparalleled brilliance. To achieve this we not only select diamonds from the quality end of the colour and clarity scale, we also use advanced technology to cut our diamonds with 144 facets rather than 58. This ensures a superlative brilliance that can never be mistaken for just another diamond.

Describing our diamonds' brilliance as superlative is not overstating the fact. Their brilliance is not the product of fancy words but the result of careful diamond selection, advanced cutting techniques and precisely calculated consistent angles. Some years ago James and Harry Huisman, third generation master diamond cutters, devised a method of cutting diamonds that featured 144 glistening facets that act just like tiny mirrors. Carl Zeiss Inc then tested a range of 58 faceted diamonds against Bluefire 144 faceted diamonds for almost 2 years and determined that on average the Bluefire diamonds had 32.2% greater brilliance.

Bluefire diamonds are conflict free, rare and sought after for their superiority and brilliance. Only better quality diamonds are selected for the Bluefire cutting process. Their value has not been reduced by clarity enchancing or fracture filling. Bluefire diamonds are natural. Lower quality diamonds simply don't make the cut. The girdle is laser inscribed with a unique identification number. 

Bluefire diamonds are available loose or as part of a number of classic and contemporary ring designs.

Whether you desire the elegance of a solitaire or a constellation of sparkle from multiple diamonds, it is our passion to ensure your dreams are matched with outstanding craftsmanship and exceptional quality. 

Diamonds are traditionally graded by the 4Cs, referring to Colour, Clarity, Carat weight and Cut. Of the 4Cs, a diamond's cut is undoubtedly the most important characteristic. A superior cut promises a brilliance and scintillation like no other. View a Bluefire 144 faceted diamond, compare it with a 58 facet and you'll discover Bluefire diamonds really are a cut above.

Allow our friendly team to show you the difference instore at Harveys Jewellers Grafton