A Blog by Assael
What is it about pearls that makes them so desirable? The special ‘glow’ or luster created by a pearl’s nacre is a soft alluring radiance that has made the human complexion look more beautiful than any other gem. Hence the pearl’s storied place in history, romance and lore. Pearls have always engaged our emotions in…
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Since the beginning of human civilization, people of wealth and stature have had their portraits painted. Often there was strategy involved in the production of a portrait. According to the Tate Museum in London, “Before the invention of photography, a painted, sculpted, or drawn portrait was the only way to record the appearance of someone. But…
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One thing we could all use right now is a little dose of fun to put some “spring” into our daily steps. Luckily, we can always turn to the fashion world for inspiration and delight. Spring/Summer 2020 fashion trends from the runways of NY, Paris and Milan are particularly inspiring this year. With so much…
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My mother Susanne had infallible taste in fashion and jewelry. I never saw her put a foot wrong. Ever. On a rather modest budget she stood out in any crowd, with her signature pageboy hairstyle, a strand of good cultured pearls, and gold bangles and charm bracelets which jangled as she smoked her Kent Ultra Lights.
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Do you know how you can tell where a pearl is from? The answer is simpler than you might expect. The color of a pearl will match the Mother of Pearl lip, the inside rim of the oyster that the pearl grew in. That ‘lip’ color is determined by the genus of the oyster. Different…
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In these unprecedented times, we share the deep concerns that many people are currently feeling. We are extremely grateful that our Assael family is currently healthy, and we hope that all of our friends, retailers, fellow jewelers, customers and followers are, as well. In times of uncertainty like this, we look to our heroes and…
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Coinciding with International Women’s Day on March 8, an exciting “March is Me Month” campaign will launch this weekend. Inspired by the fabulous women of the fine jewelry industry who run the WJA (Women’s Jewelry Association), the aim is to empower women and to spread the word that women should buy jewelry for themselves!
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In the modern world, we are all now more connected than ever, with friends and family being no more than a click or touch away. This also means we have more connections than ever before in human history, and for many of us, that means more invitations, more obligations and more appointments on our digital…
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Here at Obsessed by Pearls we are loving the many new ways that people are planning to celebrate Valentine’s Day this year. We’ve heard about Galentine’s for single females; Palentine’s for friends of all genders, female engagement proposals (#proposetoo), “commitment jewelry” and more.
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To give yourself more opportunities to wear your favorite pearls, some stylists recommend accessorizing with pearls. NYC stylist Kathie Young says, “For me, the most exciting options for the season are using brooches and swagging pearls between two pins.”
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As we enter 2020, I keep hearing inspirational references to the “new decade” and the “roaring ‘20s.” It naturally brings to mind the excitement of the exuberant and decadent pop culture from the 1920s. Perhaps it’s the bevy of period-themed entertainment
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Cultured Pearls were THE hottest gems of 2019, and they’re making a bold play for star status in the new decade. South Sea pearls, Baroques, Akoya pearls, and colorful pearls have all featured prominently on Couture and Ready-to-Wear runways…in collections spanning the seasons.
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There is no category of fine jewelry that women need more of than earrings. Unlike rings, necklaces or bracelets, we ladies change our earrings as often as we change our outfits, our moods or our dinner plans. Because they are next to the face, earrings become part of our everyday self-expression.
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A rare gem is incredibly hard to find and the more difficult, the more limited it is in quantity, the more valuable it becomes. Luckily for all of us, there are brave souls who scour the earth and the ocean to find some of nature’s most beautiful and prized gifts.
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Akoya pearls are having a moment…or should we say a decade? Not since the 1940s, when Akoyas were first introduced to the American public, have these lustrous white gems been so universally loved, so fashion-forward.
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