FASHION HEALTH & BEAUTY
Prettyin
pearls
Isle of Wight Pearl is excited to be
celebrating its 25th anniversary of
trading on the Island. The doors
opened in March 1988 and there have
been many changes since then.
One thing that hasn’t changed
though is the fantastic range of ‘up to
the minute styles’ of pearl jewellery
available in the extensive showroom.
Manager Sue Dorman goes to the
Honk Kong jewellery fair regularly
to personally select the pearls that
are made up into the specially
commissioned pieces which are then
on sale. From the simplicity of a classic
single strand of pearls to freshwater
pearls set in high fashion designs,
there’s something to please everyone at
Isle of Wight Pearl.
Their three talented jewellery
designers, who work exclusively in
the design workshop, are always on
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hand to simply re-string treasured
pearls or create bespoke jewellery, if a
one-off creation is needed for a special
occasion.
As part of the anniversary
celebrations the IOW Pearl has also
invited Island schools to participate
in a design competition, where the
students were challenged to create
either a piece of jewellery or a 2D /
3D piece of art containing a spherical
theme. The winners are Beth Pelling
and Naomi Spencer, both from Ryde
Academy, who will receive their prize
at our party in June.
The Isle of Wight Pearl continues to
be a popular Island attraction and is
hoping to build on its success of the
last 25 years.
For more information call 01983
740352.
• The substance that the mussel or
oyster produces to create a pearl is
called ‘nacre’.
• The oil from your skin actually
maintains the lustre of pearls. Pearls
can deteriorate if put away and never
worn.
• Last on, first off: perfume,
hairspray, and make-up can harm
them, so your pearl jewellery should
be the last thing to put on when
getting dressed.
• We recommend you have your
pearls re-strung every one to two
years.
• Our pearl stringers were taught to
string by Christine Etheridge, the
person who strings the Queen’s
pearls.
• Freshwater pearls come from
mussels (not oysters) and are grown
in freshwater rivers and lakes.
• A mussel or oyster can be used to
produce pearls up to five separate
times within their lifespan.
• A freshwater mussel can produce
up to 40 to 50 pearls at one time;
this is the reason why they are not
spherical in shape. An Akoya oyster
will only produce one pearl at a time
which obviously makes them more
valuable.