Akoya Pearl and Diamond Ring in 18K

For the entire span of human history, mankind admired, even worshipped, pearls. In Persian mythology, they are called “the tears of the gods.” In some Muslim legends, the pearl is God's first act of creation. According to ancient Chinese legend, the moon holds the power to create pearls, instilling them with its celestial glow and mystery. The ancient Greeks thought pearls were dew from the moon collected by oysters that opened their shells as they floated on the sea at night. The beauty of cultured pearls comes from the orient, which is the soft iridescence caused by the refraction of light by the layers of nacre, and the luster, the reflectivity and shine of the surface. Pearl is a birthstone for June and the gem of the 3rd anniversary.

Creating 18K white gold is jeweler’s alchemy. To make luxurious 18K white gold, 75% pure golden yellow gold is alloyed with 25% white metals, usually silver, zinc, or palladium. These metals also increase its durability and hardness. To get that bright white shine, most 18K white gold jewelry is plated with rhodium, a platinum group metal.