Cultured Pearl Jewelry Suite with Keshi Necklace and Earrings
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- Keshi Pearls - Keshi is a Japanese word meaning 'poppy seed', but not an indicator of the true size of the pearl. But keshi pearls are small, and are usually irregular in shape. They are sold by weight rather than size as is usual with pearls. Originally a by-product of pearl farming, most Keshi pearls are now deliberately cultivated.
- Marcasite - Marcasite is a mineral, iron sulphide, but is rarely used in jewellery. Instead marcasite is the name given to iron pyrites, the mineral sold as marcasite which is identical in copmosition to iron sulphide but crystalises as a cube, making it more suitable for jewellery. It is a brassy yellow in colour and is also known as "fool's gold", and sits well with silver rather than gold becasue of its colour.
Marcasite has been used in jewellery since ancient times and became popular again in jewellery in the 18th century, continuing through to the early 20th century, with the settings becoming cheaper as time progressed, eventually earning the sobriquet "costume jewellery" along with other cheap jewellery that was made for a prevailing pattern and meant to be changed with each new outfit.
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