As long as pearl jewelry have been known to people, they have been a highly sought commodity for their beauty. It's only in recent times however that the industry has taken the hunt for the perfect pearl to a whole different level. Today, the shiny orbs that we see on in display in jewelry stores have actually almost always been grown in farms. That's a far cry from the dangerous extraction and collection methods used before the invention of modern technology. In the past, not more than 100 years ago, the only way to retrieve pearls was by diving in lakes, floods and the ocean to pick them up, one at the time. The unfortunate divers who'se job it was to do this, were often poor and lured by the relative large sums they could get. The diver would sometimes have to dive as deep as 100 feet on one single breath of air. In order to preserve air and to stay submerged the longest, the divers would hold on to heavy stones on the way down. Naturally, this dangerous activity was reserved for the desperate or the powerless - in many cases slaves or extremely poor peasents. Today, this method is all but obsolete in most places of the world. The cheaper cultured pearls have become popular and are many times the only pearls available to the consumer. There are however still a few isolated areas that practice this old art of pearl diving. Some of the finest natural pearl speciments come from the gulf of Bahrain. Here, divers still risk their health to retrieve what are considered the top of the crop in the world. In fact, Bahrain wants no part of the sale of cultured pearls, banned from trade. Bahrain is one of the few places on earth that does an active job in trying to preserve the natural habitat and waters from pollution. It's an interesting story and one that continues to fascinate buyers around the world. Somehow, the beauty of the pearl grows when it's been retrieved from the depth of the ocean.

Buying pearl jewelry can be fun, exciting and confusing. Whether you're considering a gift of pearl jewelry for someone special or as a treat for yourself, take some time to learn the terms used in the industry. Here's some information to help you get the best quality pearl jewelry for your money, whether you're shopping in a traditional brick and mortar store or online. Pearls Natural or real pearls are made by oysters and other mollusks. Cultured pearls also are grown by mollusks, but with human intervention; that is, an irritant introduced into the shells causes a pearl to grow. Imitation pearls are man-made with glass, plastic, or organic materials. Because natural pearls are very rare, most pearls used in jewelry are either cultured or imitation pearls. Cultured pearls, because they are made by oysters or mollusks, usually are more expensive than imitation pears. A cultured pearl's value is largely based on its size, usually stated in millimeters, and the quality of its nacre coating, which give it luster. Jewelers should tell your if the pearls are cultured or imitation. Some black, bronze, gold, purple, blue and orange pearls, whether natural or cultured, occur that way in nature; some, however, are dyed through various processes. Jewelers should tell you whether the colored pearls are naturally colored, dyed or irradiated. Clams, oysters, mussels and many other mollusks with limy shells are known to produce pearls. But very few kinds yield gem pearls of jeweler's quality. The pearl is an abnormal growth of mother-of-pearl, or nacre, imbedded in the soft bodies of these shellfish. It is built up, layer upon layer, in the same way as nacre is added to the lining of the growing shell and always has the same color and luster. For example, over the country, hundreds of good-sized pearls are found each year in the oysters we eat. Unfortunately these have no commercial value regardless of whether they have been cooked or not because they are dull opaque white or purple like the shell of the parent oyster. In recent times almost all pearls of gem quality come from the oriental pearl oyster which has a bright shimmering translucent nacre. A pearl starts growing when some irritating foreign substance such as a sand grain, bit of mud, parasite or other object becomes lodged in the shell-producing gland called the mantle. Pearls formed in the soft flesh where nacre can be added on all sides are most likely to be spherical and the most highly prized. By far the great majority are flattened or variously distorted and have little value. Size, color, luster and freedom from flaws are other essential qualities. Unlike other gems, such as diamonds, pearls have an average life of only about 50 years. In time the small amount of water in a pearl's make-up is lost and its surface cracks. Because they are mostly lime, necklaces which are worn often are injured by the acid secretions of the human skin.

Buying pearl jewelry can be fun, exciting and confusing. Whether you're considering a gift of pearl jewelry for someone special or as a treat for yourself, take some time to learn the terms used in the industry. Here's some information to help you get the best quality pearl jewelry for your money, whether you're shopping in a traditional brick and mortar store or online. Pearls Natural or real pearls are made by oysters and other mollusks. Cultured pearls also are grown by mollusks, but with human intervention; that is, an irritant introduced into the shells causes a pearl to grow. Imitation pearls are man-made with glass, plastic, or organic materials. Because natural pearls are very rare, most pearls used in jewelry are either cultured or imitation pearls. Cultured pearls, because they are made by oysters or mollusks, usually are more expensive than imitation pears. A cultured pearl's value is largely based on its size, usually stated in millimeters, and the quality of its nacre coating, which give it luster. Jewelers should tell your if the pearls are cultured or imitation. Some black, bronze, gold, purple, blue and orange pearls, whether natural or cultured, occur that way in nature; some, however, are dyed through various processes. Jewelers should tell you whether the colored pearls are naturally colored, dyed or irradiated. Clams, oysters, mussels and many other mollusks with limy shells are known to produce pearls. But very few kinds yield gem pearls of jeweler's quality. The pearl is an abnormal growth of mother-of-pearl, or nacre, imbedded in the soft bodies of these shellfish. It is built up, layer upon layer, in the same way as nacre is added to the lining of the growing shell and always has the same color and luster. For example, over the country, hundreds of good-sized pearls are found each year in the oysters we eat. Unfortunately these have no commercial value regardless of whether they have been cooked or not because they are dull opaque white or purple like the shell of the parent oyster. In recent times almost all pearls of gem quality come from the oriental pearl oyster which has a bright shimmering translucent nacre. A pearl starts growing when some irritating foreign substance such as a sand grain, bit of mud, parasite or other object becomes lodged in the shell-producing gland called the mantle. Pearls formed in the soft flesh where nacre can be added on all sides are most likely to be spherical and the most highly prized. By far the great majority are flattened or variously distorted and have little value. Size, color, luster and freedom from flaws are other essential qualities. Unlike other gems, such as diamonds, pearls have an average life of only about 50 years. In time the small amount of water in a pearl's make-up is lost and its surface cracks. Because they are mostly lime, necklaces which are worn often are injured by the acid secretions of the human skin.

Chiefs RB Larry Johnson is drawing criticism from the Gay and Lesbian Alliance against Defamation (GLAAD) after the freshwater pearl Kansas City Star reported  that he hurled a gay slur at reporters in the locker room.

"Get your (expletive) ass out of here," Johnson told reporters on Monday, via the Star.

GLAAD president Jarrett Barrios called on the NFL to punish Johnson for using the gay slur to disparage reporters.

"All too often this is the freshwater pearl pendant word that is used to ridicule and harass young gay and transgender athletes on local sports fields across America," Barrios said.

"Professional athletes who use this word need to be held accountable for feeding a climate of intolerance toward our community. NFL officials need to take action and condemn this and future uses of this anti-gay epithet."

Chiefs coach Todd Haley, whom Johnson belittled in a series of tweets Sunday night, said the team was investigating the incident.

NFL spokesman Greg Aiello told PFT the akoya pearl pendant league is looking into Johnson's remarks. -- Sean Leahy
Hat tip: TMZ

SANTA CLARA, Calif. (AP) ¡ª Alex Smith (FSY) is getting a big chance to resurrect his career. All but forgotten, the former No. 1 overall pick is the San Francisco 49ers' new starting quarterback ¡ª again.

"I don't know if I'd say surprised. I don't know if I was anticipating it, either," Smith said Monday after getting the sterling silver jewelry news from coach Mike Singletary. "It's the opportunity I've been waiting for; happy."

Singletary made the announcement Monday after also sitting down with Shaun Hill (FSY), who was benched after the first half of the Niners' a 24-21 loss at Houston on Sunday.

Smith, who hadn't played in twisted pearl necklace  nearly two years, came in and gave the offense a much-needed jolt of energy and efficiency, and he nearly led San Francisco (3-3) back from a 21-0 deficit.

"As far as will Shaun Hill be back and all this other stuff, we're not going to be a flavor-of-the-month kind of thing where, 'Let's see, this guy will be this week, this guy will be next week,"' Singletary said. "I wanted to make the decision based upon who I feel gives us the best chance to win."

Smith completed his first six passes and finished 15 of 22 for 206 yards and three touchdown passes to tight end Vernon Davis (FSY). Davis is the first 49er since Terrell Owens (FSY) in akoya pearl necklace 2001 to have three TD catches in a game.

The 49ers play at Indianapolis on Sunday, coincidentally the same team Smith debuted against in 2005. This freshwater pearl strand will be his first start since Nov. 12, 2007.

"I think right now overall Alex Smith really just kind of fit the bill in terms of doing the things that we need to get done," Singletary said.

Smith, the No. 1 draft pick out of Utah in wish pearl jewelry 2005, missed all of last season after reinjuring his surgically repaired throwing shoulder three days before the season opener. He was set to be the backup to J.T. O'Sullivan (FSY).

When this season began, Singletary decided Hill was the best man behind center for San Francisco, a franchise desperate to end a streak of six straight losing seasons.

The 25-year-old Smith has shown signs in practice of being more than ready to handle this role. It was Smith who spent several days during the recent bye week working with multi-strand necklaces receiver and top draft pick Michael Crabtree (FSY) to get him up to speed on the offense before his debut against the Texans. Crabtree, who finally signed his six-year deal Oct. 7, had five catches in an impressive first game.

Singletary, who insisted his decision wasn't "premeditated," sensed a positive vibe from everybody ¡ª save maybe for freshwater pearl jewelry Hill ¡ª with Smith's calm, confidence presence on the field. Not that Singletary didn't have a feeling Smith could take charge of his unit and lead the team again after all he's been through.

Singletary has seen Smith's strides in recent months.

"Let him develop that hunger, let him get excited, 'Well if I get an opportunity again.' Let him develop some confidence, 'I think I can do that,"' Singletary said of the freshwater pearl beads time Smith needed to evolve. "Rather than just putting him in at the beginning of the season and if you don't have success right away, then it's, 'Same old Alex.' I don't think it's the same old Alex. I think Alex has matured, I think he's grown and I think he's ready to play. We're going to find out. We'll find out next week."

Not that Smith needed any more motivation: He knew he'd better take advantage if he ever got another opportunity. He knows he's done more to earn his spot this time around than as a rookie.

He doesn't plan to change now. And  freshwater pearl jewelry he no longer thinks about his shoulder.

I've been out for two years now. I don't know if I was getting any hungrier," Smith said. "I've kind of been waiting. It's been frustrating and I've got a chance to get back out shell pearl jewelry there and make the most of it."

Hill began the season as a starter for the first time in his eight-year NFL career and led the 49ers to a 3-1 start. He lost his job Monday a year to the day after Singletary benched O'Sullivan in favor of Hill during the coach's debut against the Seahawks.

Hill struggled in the first half Sunday, when San Francisco had only 50 total yards and he was 6 of 11 for multi strand necklace 45 yards.

"It's frustrating. It's upsetting," Hill said. "It's not going to keep me down. Nothing ever has, nothing ever will. It's the same thing he went through and it didn't hold him down, either."

Texans defensive end Mario Williams (FSY) said he didn't know who Smith was when the QB came out to start the second half. That's how far he had fallen off the NFL radar.

"When I look at Alex, I really didn't know what we were going to get when he went in," Singletary said. "I was hoping we'd get what we've seen out here in practice, and that's what we got. I was excited to see that, the excitement and the enthusiasm on freshwater perl jewelry the sideline, the excitement and enthusiasm on the defensive side of the ball, the receivers, the running backs, everybody."
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