The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1885-05-09
ABOUT PEARLS.
Necklaces and Bracelets still in Fashion,
How the Gems are Cared For.

Necklaces and Bracelets still in Fashion
How the Gems are Cared For.
Decolette ball dresses with no sleeves
at all, and Worth's promise of flowing
sleeves next summer, explains in part,
at least, the increased favor with which
necklaces and bracelets have been re-
ceived in the world of fashion this
winter. Single stone necklaces and
pearl necklaces are the sort most worn
by milady on full dress occasions, while
gold and silver beads form a necklace
to her liking for afternoon and re-
ception wear. In the single stone
necklaces those composed of small but
fine diamonds are much sought after,
the stones being mounted so that no
gold is visible. Often a pendant con-
tanning tlawless colored gem of great
value is suspended from a diamond or
pearl necklace. or it may be fashionably
worn pending from simple gold chain.
Pearl necklaces are composed of
pierced pearls strung on silk threads
Sometimes the pearls are graded in size
and color, the more decorative speci-
mems finding place in the front Of the
strand.
Pliny placed the pearl next to the dia-
mond in value, and supposed the former
preceded from drops of dew swallowed
by the oyster. Importers and dealers
of the present day. while they may not
adopt the dew drop origin theory
concur in giving great value
to drop pearls OF large size that possess
the wonderful polish aud luster charac-
teristic of the gem. Black pearls, when
perfect, rank exceedingly high, as do
also pink pearls of good form. Of small
pearls and such as are more or less de-
fective in form and lustre, it may be
said, as of inferior grades of diamonds,
ruling prices are considerably less than
before for some years.
Pearls deteriorate by age, contact
with acids. gas and noxious vapors of
all sorts. This is especially true of
pierced pearls. Various means of re-
storing them have been tried but expe-
rience shows them to be useless. The
best way to preserve pearls is, wipe them
with clean linen cloth after being
worn and deposit shem, wrapped in
| linen, in a closed box or casket. A lead
ing importer of pearls advises that pearl
necklaces, which are liable to deterio-
rate by coming in contact with the skin,
be restrung once year, as drawing the
silk thread out and in through the
pierced parts tends to cleanse the
pearls. In Ceylon, we are assured on
fairly good authority, that when it is
desired TO restore the lustre to oriental
pearls the pearls are allowed to be
swallowed by chickens. The fowls with
this precious diet are then killed and
the pearls regained in a white and lus-
trous state.
With the present tendency to more
decorative style of dress, and to ORR
entail effects in iewelry, colored stones,
including gems and what are termed
semi-precious stones, such as the spin
els, tourmalines, chrysolites and the
like, remain fashionable as ever.
Among precious gems the sapphire is
the most popular stone as well as the
cheapest in price, owing to a plentiful
supply. The emerald, without flaw es-
pecially if of good size, is rarest of all,
though not so much of fayorite as the
ruby of perfect tint.-Je,ceters' Cjrcuiar.