Good lord! it’s already September and I have not done a post for ages. Just when the weather heats up I get the urge to make some black pearls 4 row bracelets. I find my black pearl collection is the most requested items on my Etsy store. Usually these beautiful thick and luscious black pearl cuffs are only found on my Julleen E- Boutique but you just never know I may end up putting a few on Etsy too. Stay tuned. Meanwhile enjoy my new creations for September 2019.
So after years of having the same Business Cards and forever telling everyone about my little Etsy Store called “Julleen Jewels” and then either handing them the original Julleen card with no Etsy address or writing the Etsy address on the back of the cards, I came to the conclusion that something had to change.
When I was handing over a card to an artist last week and once again writing the address on the back (tedious!!!) we both virtually at the same time, said I simply must have that Etsy address, on my card. Instantly I had an epiphany! To search online for self designed stickers. I didn’t have to look far. I had used Vistaprint in 2000 but would you believe they still are operational today and even better now, as all can be designed and coordinated online. Within minutes I had created some new perfectly lovely stickers. I ordered them and within two days the items were delivered to my box in South Perth.
Thus! today with paper guillotine in hand (after years of being stored Lord knows where) and after slicing the stickers in two, I just added them to my cards, which luckily had just enough space to accommodate my new brilliant idea! I then ordered some fridge magnets which I thought was a nifty idea too. Saved me, creating and paying for a load of new business cards.
“Necessity is truly – the Mother of Invention”.
Voila! my new cards …complete with my Etsy Store Address for Julleen Jewels. Thanks Vistaprint.
I get so excited when I discover a new supplier and I have really needed to replenish some pearl jewellery designs I make and to create the new.
I just discovered a lovely new clasp for bracelets which I am dying to use from a new supplier and have finally found a new source for making gold vermeil earring hooks too. Yes!
I wanted to share the components here with you because then you can see that I make my own jewellery designs myself, however, I do like having others make the basic components for me so that I can do the fun part – creating!
Just below you will see the separate components that I use just to make one Pearl Earring Stud and the link to purchase one. 🙂
So to create the studs I need the button pearls themselves which come freshingly drilled half way through but also I need of course, the posts and the earring backs to make the full earring. I like doing this myself, as then I am certain of the quality, I put into my online stores and that makes it so easy for me to guarantee the workmanship and the design. This is why getting in new components is such a thrill for me. I know the best part is yet to come. Making good quality pearl jewellery,
If you are not that cluey about pearls and are really confused about the array and diverse varieties of pearls and pearl jewellery out there today, your best bet is finding a trader or designer that knows at bit about the world’s most beloved organic gem – the gem of the water. The Pearl!
It can be very confusing to the novice and this is why my mission is always to make everyone understand the basic differences of fresh and sea water pearls. Here’s the best tip. Usually the price ticket relates directly to the quality of the pearls or the pearl jewellery. If we are talking thousands from a reputable outlet then you can bet, you are looking at quality sea water pearls. If you look at a seller online selling pearls for under $55 then you are probably looking at something that has questionable quality and could be inferior fresh water pearls. Makes sense no?
The first to mass produce small round pearls were the Japanese Mikimoto pearls. These were small 4,5, to 7 mm, quickly developed cultured pearls, with tiny nuclei. Funnily the 89 year old Mikimoto imported the mother of pearl seeds needed to cultivate these pearls from America – the Mississippi River where it passes Iowa. Not much natural nacre developed on the outer surface of these small pearls but the sales for these pearls were more popular than any export Japan had to offer. We can almost say it saved a nation! Most of these necklaces were not knotted (saved time and money and kept the necklaces inexpensive from USD20 -130) and were graduated with a few larger ones at the center. They were the first company to offer pearls to the general public and became popular post war especially with the surge of American soldiers present in the South Pacific who had their pay to spend on their Mums or girlfriends back home. This then, began the shift of the pearl, being accessible to, not just royalty, gentry and the extremely wealthy but for the newly growing middle classes, who thrived post WWII.
Australian’s White South Sea Pearl and the Black Tahitian Pearls are both salt water pearls and the world’s most desirable organic gems. The golden Pearl of the Indonesian waters are also Pearls to treasure and behold, but not often do you see a baroque gold pearl. Baroque is the look of a naturally formed pearl that are not perfect spheres. Usually the most expensive pearls are fully developed round pearls with no imperfections. Good luck finding any and the average person could most definitely not afford to buy one. There is a very special market for natural baroque pearls or drop pearls that have a history like the pearl worn by Mary of Scots and then later acquired by Elizabeth Taylor the peregrina.
Julleen Pearls
oyster clam pearl
I have mentioned previously in my blog that usually the colour of the sand of the area where the pearls are cultivated, directly influences the outcome of the colour of their grown pearl. Shape is also a thought here and many of the world’s loveliest Keshi’s come from Indonesia. There is also the cave amoeba pearls which I just love but this article will be never ending if I mention every shape and variety of pearl.
Most South Sea Pearls are from 9 mm up averaging at about 14 mm but it’s the freshwater pearl that I love and work with daily. These too come in larger sizes around 12 mm, of late and are increasing all the time, as the fresh-water pearl farmers learn more about their crops and leave the pearls to rest longer, than was usually the case. This then of course must see a rise in the price of the freshwater pearl. The Chinese have dominated the world’s freshwater pearl industry and therefore have mass produced pearls, leaving we older more established Labels scrambling to find good quality stock, as many of the good pearls today have been bought up by other larger retail stores.
Although the sea pearl fetches the highest price, it is what you can do with a freshwater pearl that made me fall in-love with this genus. Fresh or sweet water Pearls have much more layers of nacre than the sea pearl and to me you get much more value for money for a freshwater pearl.
Enter – Julleen – a small label but has always offered our customers, the very finest quality for the price bracket. At the end of the day I like to think of servicing people who really want an original piece of pearl jewellery that is affordable.
Julleen Pearl Jewellery Designs was born from a lust of all things pearl. Love of pearls is not new. Women have been imprisoned for the desire to possess pearls. Men have hanged by the neck for stealing them and drowned at sea by risking their lives to find them. Rulers of kingdoms have sacrificed much, all for the love of pearls.
Peggy Lee Pearls
My gift luckily, is that I can visualize a design in my head and then go about making it and so for me, after finding the right pearl, the design grows and becomes one of the most important aspects of my label Julleen. Therefore design has value and the use of only organic gems and metals is hugely important.
Also luckily I know a good pearl when I see it and for over a decade now I have used my experience, to make interesting and very different jewellery designs. This is why my designs are in a middle ground pricing. You can see my pieces are hand-made but I try to make each model look like it came from the best jewellery makers anywhere.
People need to choose the right dealer and someone who knows the business. Hopefully with my blog some of you have become aware of the differences between the quick turnover pearl jewellery that breaks or the pearl jewellery that I make where the quality of the pearl I use and design around, ensures the pieces last, for a life time.
What ever the design. I am sure that many of you know you are getting genuine pearls with the Julleen brand and that the added bonus is, all Julleen Pearl Jewellery is guaranteed permanently. Having a clue is important – when talking about pearls.
As a admirer of large Emeralds, I was interested to read a article in Jewellery World Magazine, that mentioned a 107.67 carat Emerald and Diamond Necklace once owned by Catherine the Great which was sold at Christies for 3.3 million Pounds Sterling.
In 1874 Tsar Alexandra II presented the stone to his newly wed daughter in-law The Grand Duchess Vladamir who was well known for her incredible jewellery collection and her penchant for gambling at cards. After fleeing Russia to Venice when the revolution began in 1918, the grand duchess fled wearing only her daily jewels like strings of pearls it was said, and landed in Venice. Later her fabulous collection, left behind in her homeland was still in tact and miraculously appeared in London where her son was at the time. The jewels had been smuggled out, by a sympathetic British officer, no doubt a good friend of the family and very trustworthy.
Some of The Grand Duchess’s jewellery is currently owned by Queen Elizabeth, whose grandmother, bought some pieces from impoverished Russian aristocracy.
Bought for the young Shirley Temple by her father as an investment for her when Shirley was 12, in 1940, this 9.54 ct flawless blue diamond was set in platinum. Shirley wore this diamond her entire life. Mr Temple paid the enormous price at the time of $7,210.
The ring held by her estate after she died in 2014, was bought privately. Two years after the buyers put it up for auction at Sotheby’s hoping to reach 25-35 million. When it didn’t not meet the reserve and was passed in the ring was acquired by the jewellery dealers Windsor Jewellers, who took the chance to re-cut the flawless jewel.
The outcome was a 9.3 carat richer blue, diamond which will be forever known as the blue diamond that was loved and worn by the great Shirley Temple.
Yesterday I was discussing a little of the history regarding the wearing of pearls by women through the ages. I mentioned that there had been discoveries of art found in ruins from the ancient Roman and Greek times in the first century. I was pleased to find some images of well preserved murals and floor mosaics that were uncovered in the ruins of Pompeii showing just what I had hoped to see. Ladies wearing pearls.
These woman must have cut handsome figures during her life in the ancient city and we are lucky enough centuries later to see how women adorned themselves in their finery, including pearls (seen here).
ON 24th August AD79 Mt Vesuvius erupted with fire and lava, spreading molt in every direction, yet not over the actual city Pompeii. 2000 died from asphyxiation. Weirdly enough, the mix, of volcanic ash and mud is what entombed them preserving them for centuries until the remains were unearthed in 1748.
Why is it that white pearls are a forever favourite, among any generation. I love tracing the history of pearl wearing through Art and have dedicated a whole Pin to it on my Pinterest Page called Pearls Through History. There is no doubt at all white pearls were always precious to their wearers. I think I have collected every single portrait painting ever created, throughout the decades and as we know pearls were discovered prior to any master painter’s subject and were only worn by royalty or gentry. There is early proof in the discovery of wall mosaic in Greece, I believe. with a fine lady wearing a strand of what appear to be white pearls.
The thing is as a designer of pearl jewellery for two decades, keeping things new with white pearls in mind can be challenging. How do we, as designers do that, without ruining the magnificence and the purity of a white organic pearl necklace yet also create a new look that will still remain classical.
I like to add a touch of sterling silver or gold vermeil and change up the textures with different shapes of pearls yet keep the quality high and lustre of an AA pearl.
I think my “Asymmetrical” necklaces have been the big winner. The meaning according to the Dictionary is “having parts which fail to correspond to one another in shape, size, or arrangement; lacking symmetry”. Yes!!!
Most women today have a set of white short pearls hopefully organic ones (that I concentrate on making for my clients). Being established since 1998, many a Julleen, long white pearl necklace has been sold over that time! and it’s arguably our best style.
Why is it that Pearls have been held in such esteem, among most women for what seems like for ever. Pearls are worn for any social gathering, be it a ball, or a special night at the opera, a wedding, a ladies luncheon, a high tea, a christening, anniversary, worn and bought for big birthday and then of course there are those, who wouldn’t wear anything else but a white pearl necklace to a funeral (not to be too morbid but it is the perfect gem for this time) I believe it is a case of continuity and pearls make you feel so good when worn. True too that a certain type of girl wears pearls. It’s not for no reason, girls love pearls and boys love girls who love pearls. I have been wearing pearls since I was 18!
Who can blame anyone for loving pearls. they simply never ever date EVER!
These days I only supply two outlets Mariko in South Perth and Woody Nook in Margaret River, but they have both been carrying the Julleen ranges for nearly 20 years. I guess that shows that people like what I do. I usually make for the love of making and sell my designs myself, either on my own sites or on Etsy ,or to my friends and old clients who still love and wear their own Julleen Designs 20 years on.
At this point I usually add a few pics to share and as I have been making quite a few white pearl necklaces of late, that I like to brag about, at being totally original, as that’s what they are, I will add some below for those who like to see what happens when I set my mind to creating. Here are just some of the designs I have loved making.
I get bored easily when doing straight plain white pearls I figure there are just so many out there doing this and so for the last 20 years I have made it something I have avoided. Yet when I mix up the pearls and set a load of different varieties in front of me and begin selecting the shapes I know will look fabulous I get a bit more enthused.
Here’s what I have been busy doing over this last long weekend. Sometimes a girl needs to have a few days of uninterrupted designing time.
I just completed a pretty white and bronze pearl necklace. At 29 inches it is considered a cocktail length necklace, coming just under a low neckline.
I like to make what are fashion colours for each new season and brown with white seems so popular at the moment. I used the bronze baby button pearls as the highlighting pearl with lovely 9 mm white AA pearls. I added a sparkly gold tone ball clasp and vermeil (textured) Florentine caps. I really like this look of a two toned white pearl necklace.
