{"product_id":"double-strand-round-5-5mm-cultured-pearl-necklace","title":"DOUBLE STRAND ROUND 5.5MM CULTURED PEARL NECKLACE","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eWelcome to my little corner of the jewellery world, my dear friend. I hope you like what you find here, because most of my jewellery is carefully curated by me, rather than simply being thrown at a website and told to get on with it.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eAnd today, we are talking about \u003cstrong\u003ePearls\u003c\/strong\u003e.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eNot plastic beads pretending to have a social life. Not something that looks Pearl-ish vaguely from six feet away. These are \u003cstrong\u003ecultured freshwater Pearls\u003c\/strong\u003e, with a beautiful white colour, approximately \u003cstrong\u003e5.5mm in size\u003c\/strong\u003e and a lovely \u003cstrong\u003egood lustre\u003c\/strong\u003e that gives them that soft, luminous glow Pearls have been making humans completely irrational about for thousands of years.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eThis is a wonderfully versatile \u003cstrong\u003efreshwater Pearl necklace\u003c\/strong\u003e, available in approximately \u003cstrong\u003e16–24 inches in length\u003c\/strong\u003e. Please note that the stated length \u003cstrong\u003eincludes the clasp\u003c\/strong\u003e, so do read the measurements carefully before ordering. Pearl necklaces are rather particular about where they sit on the neckline, and nobody wants to discover that their idea of a classic Pearl necklace and their measuring tape have had a fundamental disagreement.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eThe Pearls are individually \u003cstrong\u003ehand-knotted and strung to order\u003c\/strong\u003e, giving the necklace that lovely traditional feel associated with classic Pearl jewellery. There is something wonderfully old-fashioned about a double strand of Pearls, but in the best possible way. They have survived empires, revolutions, questionable fashion trends, shoulder pads and the entire concept of low-rise jeans. Frankly, I think they've earned their place.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eAnd the beauty of a classic \u003cstrong\u003ewhite freshwater Pearl necklace\u003c\/strong\u003e is that it doesn't require a special occasion. Yes, of course, you can wear it to a wedding, anniversary, formal event or glamorous dinner where somebody has remembered to iron the tablecloth. But you can just as easily wear it with a simple jumper, a white shirt or jeans and a nice top. Pearls have that rather brilliant ability to make you look polished even when the rest of your life is being held together by caffeine and increasingly optimistic lists.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cem\u003eA Little Pearl History – Because Jewellery Should Come With Stories\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003ePearls have fascinated people for thousands of years. The Persian Gulf was historically one of the world's major sources of natural Pearls, while evidence of mother-of-Pearl use in ancient Egypt dates back thousands of years. One of the most enduring stories from antiquity is the tale of \u003cstrong\u003eCleopatra dissolving a Pearl in wine\u003c\/strong\u003e to demonstrate the extravagance of her hospitality to Mark Antony.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eWhether Cleopatra actually did this exactly as the story tells us is another matter, but I rather admire the commitment to making dinner unnecessarily dramatic.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eThe Pearl industry changed dramatically in the early twentieth century when methods of \u003cstrong\u003eculturing Pearls\u003c\/strong\u003e were developed. Rather than relying entirely on the extraordinarily rare chance of a natural Pearl forming inside a wild mollusc, Pearl farmers could introduce material that encourages the mollusc to create nacre around it, allowing Pearls to be cultivated.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eAnd this is an important distinction: \u003cstrong\u003ecultured Pearls are genuine Pearls\u003c\/strong\u003e, not imitation or synthetic gemstones. They are formed by living molluscs through the natural process of depositing nacre, with human assistance initiating the process. Most Pearls used in jewellery today are cultured, including freshwater Pearls.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eFreshwater Pearls are grown in freshwater mussels rather than the saltwater oysters associated with varieties such as Akoya Pearls. So although \"freshwater\" and \"cultured\" describe different things — one refers to the environment and the other to how the Pearl is produced — they very happily belong together in the same description.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cem\u003eProduct Details\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eJewellery Type:\u003c\/strong\u003e Pearl Necklace\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePearl Type:\u003c\/strong\u003e Cultured Freshwater Pearl\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePearl Colour:\u003c\/strong\u003e White\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePearl Size:\u003c\/strong\u003e Approximately 5.5mm\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLustre:\u003c\/strong\u003e Good\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLength:\u003c\/strong\u003e Approximately 16–24\"\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLength Measurement:\u003c\/strong\u003e Includes the clasp\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eConstruction:\u003c\/strong\u003e Hand-knotted and strung to order\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eStyle:\u003c\/strong\u003e Classic Freshwater Pearl Necklace\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003ePlease read the measurements carefully before placing your order, particularly if you have a specific neckline or length in mind.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cem\u003eJewellery Care – Because Pearls Are Gorgeous, But Slightly High Maintenance\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003ePearls are organic gemstones and deserve rather more delicate treatment than your average piece of Gold or Silver jewellery. I recommend putting your Pearl necklace on \u003cstrong\u003eafter\u003c\/strong\u003e applying perfume, hairspray, creams and cosmetics, rather than allowing it to marinate in the entire contents of your bathroom cabinet.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003ePlease remove your Pearl necklace before showering, bathing, swimming, exercising or sleeping, and keep it away from household cleaning products, chlorine and other chemicals. Pearls should never be cleaned with abrasive jewellery cleaners, ultrasonic cleaners or anything remotely resembling a power washer. A soft, slightly damp cloth is all you generally need to gently wipe them after wearing.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eWhen you're not wearing your necklace, store it somewhere soft and dry, preferably away from harder gemstones and other jewellery that could scratch the Pearl surfaces. Avoid storing Pearls in an excessively dry environment for prolonged periods, and don't leave them baking on a sunny windowsill while you're out having a lovely time.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eAnd because these necklaces are \u003cstrong\u003ehand-knotted and strung to order\u003c\/strong\u003e, a little care really does go a long way towards keeping your Pearl necklace looking beautiful for years to come.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cem\u003eShipping: The Glamorous World of Parcel Patience\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eYes, darlings, I dispatch as soon as my little hands can package your treasure — but remember, \u003cstrong\u003eI'm a boutique, not Bezos\u003c\/strong\u003e. If I have your piece to hand, it will be dispatched as soon as possible, but these particular Pearl necklaces are \u003cstrong\u003ehand-knotted and strung to order\u003c\/strong\u003e, so please allow me \u003cstrong\u003e10–14 days\u003c\/strong\u003e for me to get your necklace beautifully made and ready to leave.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eThink of it as foreplay for the soul.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eInternational Shipping:\u003c\/strong\u003e Please allow anywhere from \u003cstrong\u003e14 to 30 working days\u003c\/strong\u003e, depending on customs, the mood of your postal service and whether Mercury is in retrograde.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cem\u003eCustoms Policy\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eFor buyers outside the UK, \u003cstrong\u003eimport duties, taxes and charges are not included in the item price or shipping charges\u003c\/strong\u003e. These charges are the buyer's responsibility.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003ePlease check with your local customs authority to determine any additional costs before purchasing if you are outside the UK. These charges are normally collected by the delivering freight or postal company, or when you collect your parcel.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIf you are in the USA, please drop me a message before ordering.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eOrder cancellations or refunds will not be accepted due to unpaid customs duties or charges that are the buyer's responsibility.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cem\u003ePlease Note – Made Especially for You\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eBecause each Pearl necklace is \u003cstrong\u003ehandmade to order\u003c\/strong\u003e, these necklaces are \u003cstrong\u003enon-returnable\u003c\/strong\u003e. Please make sure you have checked the Pearl size, necklace length and clasp-inclusive measurement carefully before ordering.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eIf you aren't sure which length would work best for you, please message me before ordering. I'm always happy to help you choose.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eHappy shopping, my lovelies. May your jewellery collection contain many Pearls and your life contain considerably fewer situations requiring you to attend something called a \"smart casual networking breakfast\".\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Christine Alexander Fine Jewellery","offers":[{"title":"16\"","offer_id":58679387062656,"sku":"N0125\/P\/16","price":1019.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"18\"","offer_id":58679387095424,"sku":"N0125\/P\/18","price":1140.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"20\"","offer_id":58679387128192,"sku":"N0125\/P\/20","price":1279.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"22\"","offer_id":58679387160960,"sku":"N0125\/P\/22","price":1390.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"24\"","offer_id":58679387193728,"sku":"N0125\/P\/24","price":1509.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/2776\/8900\/files\/JNJBB342.jpg?v=1786399127","url":"https:\/\/christinealexander.co.uk\/products\/double-strand-round-5-5mm-cultured-pearl-necklace","provider":"Christine Alexander Fine Jewellery","version":"1.0","type":"link"}