14k Yellow Gold Freshwater Cultured Pearl and Cubic Zirconia Stud Earrings (5.75 mm)

The Curated Collection ----------------------- Discover the Curated Collection of fine and fashion jewelry. The expansive selection of high-quality jewelry featured in the Curated Collection offers everyday values that range from precious gemstone and diamond pieces to the latest fashion designs. This hand-selected assortment features an array of diamond, gemstone, and precious metal designs that receive a quality inspection, including from ’s staff graduate gemologist, to ensure they meet ’s high standards. All diamonds featured in the Curated Collection are certified by our suppliers to be conflict free, and IGI, GIA, or AGS certifications are provided on white diamonds of .75 carats or larger on all stud earrings, rings, and pendant necklaces. Pieces from the Curated Collection come packaged in a custom box, making them wonderful gifts. In addition, we offer free one-day shipping within the continental U.S. on items over $500. International shipping options for friends and family overseas are available for an additional fee. The Curated Collection offers a specialized customer service team that is available seven days a week to answer any product questions before, during or after the purchase. If you’re not satisfied for any reason, you will receive a full refund and free return shipping within the U.S. if you return your purchase within 30 days. Find a special gift for a loved one or a beautiful piece that complements your personal style with jewelry from the Curated Collection. Duragold Logo The Duragold collection offers hoop earrings and chain necklaces created entirely of 14k gold, which is the threshold of karat gold jewelry in the United States. The Duragold collection was created for the discerning individual who wants the finest gold jewelry that is available in the marketplace today. Duragold earrings and necklaces are lustrous and available in both yellow and white gold. All pieces constructed in the Duragold collection use premium materials from the rich alloys; the attention to detail is obvious in the classic designs and durable closures and findings. The earrings in the Duragold collection are constructed with a unique and patented alloy resisting denting or scratching and are hypoenic. The Duragold earring collection includes the time-honored classic hoop earring in all sizes and millimeters in both yellow and white gold. In addition, the selection also houses double high-polished two-tone crossover hoops, shiny polished hoops, hand diamond -cut hoops and gorgeous three-colored hoops that incorporate all the stunning yellow, white and pink colors of solid gold. The Duragold hoop earrings collection offers pieces to start your basic 14k gold collection as well as pieces to add a little drama and sparkle to your life. A 14k Duragold earring in any color or shape is always appropriate, easily wearable and glows with the radiance of solid gold. The basic chains in the Duragold collection are varied and diverse. Lightweight and delicate, the Singapore chain and Box chain are perfect to enhance your favorite collectibles while solid, handmade rope chains are substantial and timeless. The Snake chain is smooth and supple, and allows pendants to glide effortlessly on or off while hanging smoothly when worn. The Perfectina chain is just like it sounds: perfect. This or a hollow rope chain is an affordable way to display your favorite pendants. The chain necklaces offered in the Duragold collection are available in various lengths to accommodate a pendant, a neckline or your own personal style. Lengths start out at the 16-inch choker length, and continue into the classic 18-inch or 20-inch, as well as several styles available in the hard-to-find 24-inch and 30-inch. The chains in the Duragold collection can be found in the traditional yellow gold or the more modern and fashionable white gold. Wherever your 14k gold search leads you, you are sure to find just the right piece of Duragold jewelry to add to your collection. Be confident that when you give a piece from the Duragold collection, your gift has the highest quality in design and materials. The designers of the Duragold collection are always working on new pieces and collections, so please check back often for new additions and designs. Remember: nothing shines like Duragold. Freshwater Cultured Pearls These pearls are gathered from freshwater lake and river mollusks. Most Freshwater pearls come from China and they can be mostly round to off-round, or rice-shaped to baroque. They look similar to Akoya pearls, but are the perfect gift when on a budget. They might be slightly less symmetrical, smaller, or not as easily matched, but these minor differences provide a major value for the price. Cultivation Pearls are produced naturally in the body of salt and freshwater mollusks, such as oysters and mussels. When these animals sense an irritant, such as a grain of sand, they produce a soft coating of calcium carbonate substance around it. The result is a pearl. Because perfectly round, naturally produced pearls are so rare, a process known as cultivation was developed by Kokichi Mikimoto in the early 1900s. A small bead of polished shell, the nucleus, is used as an irritant and delicately inserted into the mantle of a mollusk. It takes approximately 20-24 months of intensive husbandry to cultivate a saltwater pearl and somewhat less time to cultivate freshwater pearls. The harvest usually takes place during the months of June and September. Color Mollusks produce pearls in a variety of colors, accommodating most personal preferences and budgets. The general color of a pearl is also known as the body color. Pearls typically range from white, cream, and yellow to pink, silver, or black. An overtone of secondary color is sometimes seen. For instance, a pearl may appear to be white, but upon closer inspection a rosy hue is detected. The body color would then be termed white-rosé. Color variation does not affect the quality of the pearl, though it should be noted that color matching is important when choosing pearls for some necklaces, earrings, or bracelets. In fashion jewelry, pearls can sometimes be dyed to achieve the desired color, which should be mentioned in the product description or specifications. Lustre The appealing, deep shine of a pearl is often what defines its beauty. This shine is produced by multiple layers of semi-opaque calcium carbonate crystals, called nacre. The nacre reflects light on the surface of the pearl, producing brilliance and sheen. Lustre is an integral feature in determining the quality of a pearl. Large pearls have a thicker nacre and, therefore, a higher lustre. When comparing a small Freshwater pearl to a large South Sea pearl, the difference is clearly visible to the untrained eye and should be considered when purchasing pearls. Shape While pearls come in many different shapes, the rarest and highest-quality are round. Akoya, Tahitian, and South Sea oysters tend to produce the roundest pearls, while those of Freshwater mollusks can be oval to slightly off-round. When considering a pearl purchase, whether it be a necklace, bracelet, or earrings, look for consistency in the shapes of the pearls. Many of the less symmetrical shapes are used in stylish jewelry which can be quite beautiful: the drop pearl's shape lends well to earrings, and the baroque pearl features irregular shapes that work well as necklace accents. In addition, a half sphere pearl called a "mabe" is often used in earrings, necklaces, and bracelets. Size An oyster's particular type and size has a direct effect on how large the pearl it produces will be, and pearls do come in a wide range of sizes. Round pearls are measured according to their diameter, while baroque pearls are measured by their length and width. A pearl's size does not necessarily affect its quality, but it does affect its price. Large, round pearls are rare and their lustre is usually high--this beautiful combination of traits is often reflected in the cost of such pearls. Average pearl sizes (in diameter): Akoya: 6-8mm Freshwater: 5-6.5mm South Sea: 11-13mm Tahitian: 11-12mm Keshi: 4-10mm Surface Markings Often when an oyster creates a pearl, the nacre does not develop smoothly. The surface of a pearl is judged by how many marks are visible in the nacre. These imperfections can be small and unnoticeable or quite large and distinct. Like diamonds, pearls are rarely flawless. However, high lustre or the way pearls are strung and set can help conceal surface markings. Care Proper care of pearls is not difficult if you remember that they are and produced by a living thing. Pearls are soft and delicate, but when cared for with common sense, they will maintain their lustre for centuries. The pearls should not come in contact with cosmetics, hairspray, perfume, chlorinated water, or other harsh s. To keep them clean, let them be the last item put on when dressing, and the first item taken off at the end of an evening. The best way to maintain their lustre is to wear the pearls often, and wipe them down with a soft cloth afterward--pearls absorb the oils from skin, which helps keep them moist. Pearls should be stored in a cloth pouch or jewelry bag, separated from other jewelry to prevent nicks or chipping. Periodically, pearl strands should be restrung since the silk thread used to tie the pearls together breaks down over time.

• Stud earrings in 14k yellow gold featuring cubic zirconia rounds resting beneath smooth round pearls.
• Friction-back posts.
• The natural properties and process of pearl formation define the unique beauty of each pearl. The image may show slight differences in texture, color, size, and shape. Carved rings are naturally occurring imperfections that result from the pearl rotating inside the mollusk as it is growing. They define the unique beauty of each pearl and may vary in size, number, and depth per pearl..
• Domestic.